Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1889-04-11
JOHN COFFEY'S HEARING.
A GREAT CROWD AND MUCH
INTEREST,".
After Hearing the Testimony of
Several Witnesses MIR. COffey
is Held in 1000 to Await
the Action of the
Grand Jury.
MONDAY.


this morning, to learn if Master Work
man John Coffey, had yet arrived, and
had his armor on for the fight which
would commence at eleven o'clock.
Inquiring at the Hotel Cumberland
brought forth the information that
the gentleman arrived on the train
last night, and was quartered in room
214. He was seen by reporter this
morning, and said that he was ready
for the fight, and anxious for it to
come off. He had been busy all the
week answering kilograms of SYM
pathy from all parts of the country,
and he expected this mornings train
would bring a large number of promi-
nent Knights of Labor to this city, to
attend the hearing at the Mayors
Office.
George Moore, one of the Knights
who left the Cumberland Works, went
to Philadelphia on Saturday, and visit
ed the different glassworks, going
through Bergen's, Benner's, Rowley's
and the works at Bridesburg. He
found all the men greatly interested in
the situation in this city, and full of
sympathy with the knights who left
the non-union works. Without ex-
ception, the glassworkers of those
manufactures, volunteered all posi-
BILE aid in the fight. There was no
feeling whatever against any of the
men who have heretofore been known
as sc abs ? and gladly welcomed them
into their great organization. All the
men are standing firm by their Master
Workman -John Coffey, and have little
fears of the ultimate result of his trial.
Many of them expressed the opinion
that the arrest of Mr.. Coffey would do
more to benefit the Knights of Labor
than any other one thing that could
be done. The conspiracy dodge as
they call it. has been worked often,
but they have no knowledge of its be-
ing worked successfully, and of course
have the same opinion of this case.
Every man in these large works are
anxious for news of the affair." and Mr..
Moore brought to the PIONEER this
merning long list of names to whom
copies of the papers are to be sent un-
til after the tMay term of Court. The
men desired Mr.. Moore to thank the
editor of this paper for the position he
had taken in giving the case careful
attention and honest reports, and also
the bondsmen, who had stood 10y Mr..
Coffey.
THE HEARING.
Long before Il O'Clock the Mayors
office was crowded, and many persons
were unable to gain an admittance.
The witnesses put in an appearance
early, bat there was considerable trou
BILE in getting to the front where chairs
had been arranged for them inside the
railing. Eight witnesses had been SUBJ
ptened and all of them were present.
Judge Alphonzo Woodruff sat behind
the office desk, in the big leather oov-
cred chair, usually occupied by the
Mayor. During the hearing he listened
attentively to the evidence, which was
taken down by secretary he had ap-
pointed for that purpose.
j. L. VanSyckle, of the defence, was
the first legal lights to put in an ap-
pearanee. Mr.. Mitchell came in mo
ment later, and took his seat at the
table by the side of his colleague.
Samuel Bassett and r. Elmer Shoe
maker, of the glassworks, came in
about ten minutes of eleven, accom-
panied by d number of apprentices of
the works.
John Mack, L. j. Mathis and Fritz
Weber, the others who had been men,
toned in the complaint with Mr.. Cof
fey, had not been arrested.
At eleven o'clock G. w. Shoemaker
arrived, and a few moments afterward
Prosecuting Attorney James r. Hoag-
land. Mr.. Coffey was the last of the
interested persons to arrive. He was
accompanied by large number of his
knights of Labor friends When Cof-
fey came in and seated himself, the
crowd burst into cheers, and loud clap
ping of hands, but he paid no attention
to the plaudits. When Mr.. G. w. Shoe
maker came in the front office, Mr..
Cotfey spoke to him very pleasantly
andthe former returned the salutation.
Mr.. Hoagland opened the case by
reading the complaint, charging Mr..
Coffey with malicious conspiracy,
G. w. Shoemaker was the first wit
ness called by the State. He told the
story of the visit of Mr.. Coffey to the
works on March 23d, and asked that
the factory be placed under Union