New-York tribune., 1882-03-12
Failure TO INDICT NEWARK OFFICIALS.

The Grand Jury of Essex County went into the
Court of Oyer and Terminer at Newark, YESTERDAY
morning after prolonged session of three mont hs,
and presenting a batch OF minor indictments asked
to be discharged. 1t was ascertained by call OF
the roll that only twelve Jurors were present, ana
that six were absent without leave. Prosecutor
Abeel stated 70 the Court that the six jurors were
in the building, and Judge Depue asked that they
be requested 10 come into Court ut once. When
the six jurymen appeared Judge Depue said he was
10th to believe that any disrespect was meant 70
the Court and that the absence of the Jurors might
affect the Legality of the proceedings Inc foreman
then handed i'll the indictments aud stated thal tne
Grand Jury had completed its business ana
wished TO be DISCHARGED, Alderman Iheberath,
one of the six Jurors, said " our tonor thre are
gentlemen on the Grand Jury who do not wish to be
discharged There are very important matlerS 10
up before it which have not been decided, and
it is not right that the GTani Jury sn6G De tbs
statement that the business had been concluded
and thereupOn the Judge said he had no option but
TO discharge the jury. II the business, ne aaded,
had not all been disposed Of the dissatisfied jurors
could submit the matter to the Court, and IL would
be called to the attention of the next Grand jury
immediately after the adjournment the SIX jurors
held a private interview WIN Judge Depue anu
stated to him the reasons for their action. 80
From trustworthy sources 1t was ascertalned that
the trouble arose in consequence OF the actlon OF
majority of the Grand Jurors present yesterday on
indictments against city officials Soon az er Ani-
tor Palmer confessed his robberies at City Hall,
evidence of the neglect and mismanagement OF the
City Treasurer and City Controller ana presunp-
tive evidence OF the guilt of two subordinate clerks
were lalQ before lnc blallu jury. Dullhe nC Hco-
siOns hal have been held much bitterness OF feeling
was shown. 1t is charged that strong influences
were brought to bear upon the Grand Jurymen
to prevent an Indictment of the accused
officials. On last Tuesday, majority of the Jury
voted to indct Treasurer Winans Controller Baker
two clerks named Smith and Powell, and the mem
bers of the Finance Committees of 1880 and 1881.
Mayor Long. the present Mayor and Alderman
Theberath, a member OF the Grand jury were mem
beIs OF these committees. Alderman Iheberath has
been prominent in the Investigation of the frauds at
the City Hall. 1t was asserted by those who were
anxious to have the guilty officials punished that
the Finance Committees were only included IN the
indictments in order to shield the real culprlts
Vest rday morning, when the Grand jury held
session for the last time only eight cen JuIymen
were present and those who favored the lndlct-
ments found themselves in a minority. 4 motion
was made TO reconsider the indictments
against the city officials A hot discussion sprang
up, but the motion carried, as was also one TO
rcscmd the indictments. The vote was 10 10 >.
The minority asserted that ten members were not
majority of the Grand jury, and could not undo
the work of the full body, and they Indignantly
refused to 90 into court until asked bY constable
to appear. The occurrence created great sensa-
tion in Newark as il had been expected that the
Grand Jury would without doubt lind indictments
against the city officials. IT is SAID that judge
Depue will in his charge 10 the Grand jury at me
next term OF the court Law particular stress upon
the charges against city officials.