The news., 1886-04-27
Lavertu's Trial Ended

The impeachment trial of Patrick II
Laverty, Keeper of the State Prison, was
concluded on Tuesday, Judge Hoffman
making the closing argument for Mr.. Law
erty and Counsellor Gray summing up for
the State.
One of the most impressive scenes ever
witnessed in hall of justice was present
ed in the Senate Chamber on Wednesday
when the senators constituting the high
court OF impeachment voted on the arti-
cles of impeachment. The court met soon
after eight o'clock and immediately ad-
journed to the Supreme Court room for
private conference During their absence
Mr.. Laverty and his two faithful sons,
with the defendants counsel, sat in lob
by. The galleries were black with people.
AT $40 O'Clock the Senators filed in HAY
ing arrived at his place, Keeper Laverty
and his son James. with ex-Judge Hoffman
and Counsellor Linn, took their usual
seats in front of the Secretary's desk.
President Griggs was trlfie nervous, and
to reassure himself read aloud the rules
governing the courts further procedure.
The rules prescribed that each article of
the impeachment should be read by the
court and the roll be called on each separ-
ately. The Senators were to arise at their
places in response to their names and vote
guilty or not guilty. The fourth court,
charging mismanagement of the prison,
the President directed to be read last
Secretary Reading then read the first,
charging Mr.. Laverty with criminal inter
course on various occasions with Minnie
Schafer. Having finished it, he proceeded
to call the roll. Senator BogeI't, the first
called, arose and voted not guilty, So did
was called. He voted guilty. Immediate
ly James Laverty's eyes filled with tears.
Every Republican voted guilty and every
Democrat except senator Vanderbilt, of
Mercer, voted not guilty. 1t required
under the Constitution Il two-thirds vote
to convict, and of the twenty-one Sena-
tors eight are Democrats. Senator Van
derbilt. however, voted with the Republi-
cans and gave inst fourteen, the exact
number required. President Griggs an
nounced!
"Mr. Layerty guilty of the first article of
impeachment,n
Mr. Laverty yainiy attempted to retain
his composure. His face became contorted
and he leaned over on the table tor sup-
port. The secretary proceeded to read
the second article, which also charged
criminal intercourse with Minnie Shaeffer,
the only charge being that it speci-
fed adultery. 1t was adopted by the
same vote. The third count, charging the
Keeper With Intercourse with Annie
Lenhard was not sustained, only Senators
Carter, Cranmer Herring, Miller, Pancoast,
Vanderbilt and Youngblood voting for It,
The fifth count, relative to Libbie Cara
brant, also failed by IL to 10. The sixth
count relative to Eva Steele, colored,
failed by to Ii. The seventh count, rela-
tive to Mary Smith, received only four
votes. The fourth general count, charg-
ing mismanagement of the prison so as to
allow male and female convicts TO come
together received only five votes
The Senate Court then retired again to
decide rs to the form of Judgment After
only few minutes absence. they returned
and President Griggs summoned Patrick
Henry Laverty To arise. Mr.. Laverty,
looking pale and baggard, and brushing
the tsars of his withered check, sprang
up with Jast suggestion of his old-time
alertness. Fresidegt Griggs addressed
him in a low, but distinst tone, announc-
ing the Courts Judgment, which Yas that
having been found guilty, after trial, of
articles OF impeachment specified, he be
removed from the office of Keeper of the
New Jersey State Prison and disqualified
nom holding hereafter any Office of honor,
profit or trust in the State
Mr. tasGrty listened with bowed head,
and then with an effort walked to his
place. His sons, James and Frank, who
were both crying chung to him at either
side and young Frank kissed him sith
much emotion. The old gentleman made
an effort to bear mp and walked out of the
building. The scene was q most topching
one.
On Thursday morning Governor Albeit
sent TO the Senate the nomination of John
IL. Patterson, OF Monmouth County, to bl
principal keeper of the State Prison, in
place of Patrick II. Laverty, removed by
impeachment. half an hour later Mr.
Patterson's commission was signed and
a telegram sent conveying to him what
is said to have been the first intimatfGn of
his appointment. The Senate confirmed
the nomination unanimously.
Mr.. Patterson has for many years been
prominent among Monmouth County
issWocrats. Fifteen years ago he ran for
Congress, and was beaten by Amos Clark
Jr., although TIC district is heavily Demo-
cratic. In the next Congress he was door
keeper of the House OF Representatives.
He has also been sheriff OF tile county, and
has held other public offices. His appoant-
meat gives general satisfaction i
Minnie S6taefer has returned to Pater-
son. She is highly siatea over the result of
the impeachment trial, but she proposes to
push the matter further. She Is too pop1
to take care of her baby, and she will apply
to the city for relief. This will necessitate
the arrest of Laverty and his trial before
the Paterson recorder If he is convicted
of being the father of the child he will
have to give security to pay % a week for