The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-08
FREEH0LDERS ON NETTLES.
THE TWEED RINGS InITAT0Rs IN NEW
JERSEY ON TRIAL.
What n Remark able Proces.ion there IL Like
~ 70 be frera Warren Couaty - the state
Prison IN Treuton-six Onaclals In Peril

what n Remark hie Proces.ion there 10 Like
~ 70 be frsu Warren Oouaty 70 the State
Prison IN Treaton-siz Oncaals In Peril
BELvIDERR, N. j., Jan. Tho politicians
and farmers Of Warren County who packed the
Court House to-day to see their old friends
Preebolders Btrader and Cox. and Contractor
Bliker. stand trial for conspiracy to steal $50 Of
the county money, listened with the utmost pa
tonco 70 the testimony. although many OF them
must have been tortured physically. They
braced themselves up on tho window seats. and
pulled their coat collars up to their ears. They
stood first on one leg and then on the other in
the aislos. and they packed themselves into an
almost immovable mass in tho open space
before the bar Such lie the intense interest
which tho trial OF these recent officials has
created. Already two ex-ofIlcials who have
held places Of responsibility. and have been
widely known In the county. arc convicted OF
forgery. and they must 20 to State prison.
Prosecutor Harris believes that his evidence of
the guilt OF sixteen others IL sufficient 10 send
them all 70 the Trenton prison. II will DO n
very respectable looking lot OF prisoners that
the Sheriff will have TO take TO Trenton II the
Prosecutor is justified in his belief. as he al
| ready has been in his charges against Free
| holders Strader and DIR. Mattison.
| To-day tho Prosecutor showed to the jury one
| OF the conspiracics which these Oflceholders
are said 20 have frequently entered into to raise
| little money. Contractor Slker bid in n con
| tract two years ago to build bridge, and War
| rem County was to pay 1871 to him. II was one
| OF the considerations Of tho contract that he
should get no money until the work was done,
aud yet he had hardly got IL begun before. 10y
w pad V an creP for & Not oSs %er be
| got tho money on another order for fl99. and
this order Freeholder Cox signed. That would
| leave balance Tor the county to pay OF go
| when the bridge was done. But he boldly put
! in hs bill for tho whole t37l first allowed him.
| Frcohoders Cox and Strader signed the orders.
| and Contractor bliker got the money.
There was considorable curiosity evinoed 10
| see how the three men would make n defence
| to this Counsellor Shipman. their lawyer
| with others, however. asked the Court to throw
the caso out, because the Prosecutor hadnt
eyeglasses and looked up with some astonish-
| ment Then he said
| has not been made out a. the case stands. then
| / don't see how crime can be proved. Perhaps
on defence you can overthrow II. As 1t ia now
II appears that these Freohoders gave 5liker
| an order for $780, and then allowed him ~ be
paid the iull amount Tor his work" .
| Thercupon Counsellor Shipman began with
his defence. He put FreeholdeI Cox on the
stand, DIR. Cox admitted signing the two orders
| he did not nave these advances taken out OF the
bill for bridge building when no signed the
forgot all about II. Freeholder strader swore
TO tho same thing. He forgot 10 tell the Board
OF Freeholders that he and Dr. Cox had already
| paid Mr.. Siiker $3.50 on account.
| He confessed TO Counsellor Byington. who took
| him at a galopinR pace over nery cross-ex-
| animation. that the Frcehoders were appointed
| for the very purpose OF doing what he forgot to
| do. but he did not regard IL rs very remarkable
| that he should forget II. While this may be ac-
| cepted by the jury as a satisfactory dofcnce Of
| Cox and Strader. the effect upon Contractor
| Slikers defence If regarded by the Prosecutor
AS peculiar. Siiker stroked his heavy beard
and listened very seriously 10 this testimony,
for IL inculpates him in not only receiving the
order but In taking all the money. The Jury
may regard IL as possible that Cox and Strader
forgot when they signed the last order about
the previous ones. but will they also believe
that Contractor Sliker forgot that he had al
ready drawn two advance orders when he drew
the whole amount of the bill without deducting
these advance orders7 Ii Is possible thai
Sliker's lawyers may say Yes. we drew the
money. but II you acqut Strader and Cox ri
conspiracy you must also acuuit our man. Boz
cause you can't convict one man OF conspiracy.
| Prosecutor Harris skilfully drew out of DIR.
| Cox the admission that he mad done the honors
| last night TO two Of the jurors who are tryinR
| him. The honors were extended at the Tar oil
| the hotel. and consisted OF cigars and beer But
| DR.. Cox said that he didn't recognize the men
| and failed 10 do 50 when Prosecutor Harris
| pointed them out to him as they sat. look ne
| greatly abashed. In the jury scat Judge
Beasly did not think best at present 10 discharg,
the Jury on account OF DR.. Cox's familiarity
with two OF them.
The case will be finished tomorrow. and an
othor conspiracy case Is then 10 be taken up.