New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-02
THE "BIG FOURn INDICTED.
A GRAND JURY NOT TO BE CAJoLED.
JERSEY CITY PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONERS TO
THE BAR.

/
! Commissioners Kern, Hilliard and Watt, and ex-
commissioner Reynolds, comprising the Big Four
combine of the Jersey City Board of Public
Works, will be arraimed in court this morning
to plead to the indictments found against them
for conspiracy and malfeasance in Office When
the announcement was made few days ago that
such indictments had been found, the " Big Four"
set themselves energctically to work to have the
Grand Jury reconsider their action Every possible
influence was brought to bear on the members Of
the Grand Jury, but although some converts were
made the majority remained firm and withstood
all the pressure that political and social influence
could bring to bear Two of the indicted Com
missiOners, Kern and Reynolds, are Democrats and
two are Republicans, Hilliard and Watt. For that
reason influence was brought to bear from all
sides, but without effect the Grand Jurors
resisting all cajolery, threats and promises alike
When the jury met Friday afternoon there were
twenty members of the twenty-thFee present A
motion was made early in the session to reconsider
the indictments and precipitated lively discus
sion. 1t was learned yesterday that DR.. Leonard
j. Gordon the foreman, who personally procured
all the evidence against the Commissioners, made
stirring appeal to his colleagues not TO reconsider
their action, showing the evil that would result
TO the city, The appeal had some effect for
when the vote was taken there were ten in favor
of reconsideration and ten against it. The jury
then adjourned until yesterday morning when
there was only one absentee. The question was
brought up again and there were thirteen votes
against reconsideration which settled the question
The indictments were promptly presented to the
court and during the afternoon the defendants
were told to appear in court this morning.
There two additional indictments against
Commissioners IIlard and Watt, but the nature
Of them could not be ascertained. The evidence
secured by DIR. Gordon is said to be strong and
direct The names OF a number of men have been
carried on the pay rolls month after month;
although the men did no work and
some of them had actual eX-
istence. The number was always largely
increased just prior to the spring and fall elections
On the pay rolls for the month of March, men
credited with working the entire month laying
water-pipe repairing streets, etc, even during
the days of the great blizzard" This is only
q trife however, compared with the corruption
which is alleged TO have pervaded the entire Public
Works Department. There will be some startling
developments when the cases are tried.
The Jersey City Board of Public Works failed to
organize last night Seven ballots were taken,
but they failed to elect temporary chairman.
Commissioners Kern, IIilard and Watt stood Oh
and the meeting was adjourned until Monday
lilliard and Watt declined to say anything about
their indictment for conspiracy. Kern SAID, We
will be in court tomorrow morning with our bonds
men. l. for one, am entirely innocent and intend
to fight the case to the end. Our Indictment is a
political conspiracy" Judge LippincOtt issued
warrant for the arrest of Commissioners Kern,
Watt and billiard and eX-COmmissioner Reynolds
Sheriff Davis took the papers, but has not yet
arrested any of the men.