The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-27
CAUTIOUS GRAND JURORS.
ELECTION OFFICERS INDICTED ONLY
AS ELECTION BOARDS

in Jersey City yesterday afternoon shortly
after o'clock. Sheriff Davis walked at their
head. After him came Dr. Leonard j. Gordon,
the foreman, Gen. J ohm Ramsay, Dir. benjamin
Edge. and John II. Scheduling. Jr Tho nine
teen other jurymen came trailing after. Fol-
lowing them was crowd Of ofllcehodcrs and
politicians, who had been attracted 10 the
Court House 10y tho report that had been freely
circulated about the city during the day that
Indictments would be presented to the Court
against many of tho election officers who were
accused of participating in the big frauds at
the election last fall. Dr. Gordon carried in
his hand large bundle of papers, Supreme
Court Justice Dixon and Presiding Judge Of
tho County Joe lippincott sat on the bench.
The juryman arranged themselves in line in
front OF the Judges
Have you any presentment to makeH"
asked Justice Dixon Of the foreman.
I'VE have" replied DR.. Gordon and he
handed to the Justice the bundle OF papers he
held in his hand. Tho Justice handed them
to tho clerk. and then DIR. Gordon handed him
another paper which ho said he desired to
have read. The Clerk read it as follows:
ITO THE COURT OF OYER AND TERNGSER OF
THE COUNTY OF HUDSON: The undersigned.
members Of tho Grand Jury now in session in
and for the county OF Hudson. respectfully
show to tho court that at the general election
held in said county on the 9th OF last Novem-
Der certain fraudulent and illegal acts were
alleged TO have been committed by the officers
and clerks Of election or some OF them that
n committee OF the Senate OF the State OF New
Jersey investigated said election: that such
investigation was alleged to have disclosed
the fact that many ballots were fraud
ulenty cast and counted at said cleo
ton; that the result of said investiGa-
,,,,l1 81 81,
as the result OF these unusual and extensive
frauds his Honor Manning NJ Knapp, charged
this Grand Jury at length upon the opening
OF the April term. declaring it to To their i'm
the statements made have been confirmed
beyond question by the evidence before US.
besn w nnSng ' to- ind tndctments covsrns
all the offences proven in these cases. the un.
dersigned feel that their duty to the state and
way announcing to the court their deep regret
at this miscarriage OF justice SO trauCht with
sentative government: and we respectfully re-
quest that this minority prosentment bs illed
rs part OF tho court record.
Il. J. GORDON. Foreman: BENJAMIN EDGE.
JOIN RAMSAY, JOIN II. SCHEFFLING: Jr."
T. The Judges and the politicians listened TO
attention. Astonishment was depicted on their
faces. The jurymen who were ,arraigped by
ou nS I'd sign Of feeling when the Clerk had
ard "nSf in rfs s Chair @ Re FHSSsa
Gordon. As he turned he looked each Of the
jurymen in the face. None OF Thorn fiinched.
communication" he said to the foreman. that
some indictments have been found in these
Yes" said Foreman Gordon. Large num-
bcrss"
circumstences such q Communication. should
not be recognized, The Court Thinks that the
etnFt1 In hII nGn nrn
Certain facts in connection with these cases arc
too well known 70 repeat. In view Of these
min ority presentment. and the copmuniea.
ten VII be PIT on the e9urt record Lave you
We have" said Foreman Gordon.
the s sc d 59r Inc Th
Witch You have eond Geted The pubic H5h Bust
left the court, room. 1t was the first time in
Jury had deemed it advisable to arraign in the
open court the rest OF the members for, neglect
the politicians followed, the ,jpryme9 out.
Il the Of e esS Who
were indicted. Justice Dixon and Judge Lip
pi,ppcott left the Court House at once.
against election boards, Thirteen were against
against reporters. who voted in various pre-
cInrts at the spring ELECTION. The Indictments
bEHllSt eIeclOn DOlrlS contained only ono
four charges presented TO the Grand Jury
aG alnst each Of the officers accused. The first
was Tor stuiling ballot boxes. the second tor
falsely counting the legal votes in the box, the
third for permitting persons to vote who were
CATION Of conspiracy vas was ' nude as a fourth
charge The three charges were against each
officer individually, the charge OF cons piracy, OF
course included the whole election board. The
Jury in making its indictments dismissed the
separate charges against the individuals and
ment is that tho members OF each Board con-
spred TO stuff the ballot, box In their charge to
who were not legal voters; Lawyers say the
charge Of conspiracy is the hardest charReto
IrEoye IN the cases, The evidence to Irove the
lots themselves and no other testimony, II IA
fhS stto was needed Livery m4p WIG handled az, the
lnder the Indictment 1t will be necessary TO
show thai the officer in each board actually
f foihSpire o. 10 commit ne frauds, ~ TaS th9
charges that the minortyof tho Jury denounced
Ia ltS communication, There are four NOM
ty-eight officers who are under Indictment.
seyenty;;siX officers have been arrested and are
}H ias $2,noJ 9al! each. Lightiot them must
The lndict aY P were shock TO the election
practically snfe, and they believed it. They
were all notified last night it Is said, 70 appear
In court today sS nnh mead to tho indictments
about tho city last night that several OF them
had Disappeared and would not, stand trial.
The mon who have leen delegated 10 produce |
them in court deny this, and say they will all
appear as fast as they are wanted.
Prosecutor Winfield will decide to-day when |
he will bring the indicted men 10 trial He will
conduct the prosecution. 1t was |
reported in Jersey City list night that on Sat
uTday or Sunday night thore was a conference |
Of the Democratic leaders OF the state, at Uov.
meeting to take tho leadership OF the party in |
Hudson county out OF the hands OF Sheriff !
Davis The report could not DO verified and |
leading DEMOCRATS Of the county. with whom |
Sun reporter talked last night said they did not |
believe there was my foundation for II. Gov |
Albeit and Allan McDermott. the Chairman OF
the Democratic state Committee. were both out |
OF town and could not DO seen.
The jurors who don't think the election ofi- |
GERS arc Individually guilty are Charles
Marks, James Tumulty. Henry ,Otterson,
Goddard, Michael smith, Lawrence Pagan,
William Ietts. Patrick }. Condor, George II. |
Bowey, Waltor g. MesgOtt: otto Lawrence. !
Owen Mcclure, John Wade, Frederick Gassart |
Paul Troast ameS Cayanagh, and Otto Upper. |
A Sneak ThIers Confession.
AtJsHerson Market Court yesterday John c. Ham,
nil 81