The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-09
DULLfTERH DAY.
Only odd CAGES on the
Ca1endar--No Grand
Jury Sensation.

bar was crowded 0y the Knights OF DrieLs-
1t was the first day of the December
term of Court, ami lawyers from all
parts of the County were present to look
after the causes they had noticed for
trial. When Judge Knapp seated him
self IN his easy chair on the Bench. and
had glanced admirinRly on the beautiful
bouquet OF chrysanthemums, roses and
carnation pinks that Pop Cook had fur
nished according to his invariaole custom,
he sighed as he knew ne had long tedious
task before him and then directed Clerk
Gritten to call the list of causes. Before
this had proceeded at length,
by direction OF one Of the
Court. Sheriff McPhillips brought In the
Grand Jury. As the body filed In. ex-
Governor Bedle stopped talking 10 Court
landt Parker, ex-Judge Garretson aud
Counsellor Charles Thompson drew
nearer the Judge; Counsellor c. e.. Black,
counsellor to the ballot box suffers, be-
came an attentive observer, Norman l..
Rowe laid aside his newspaper, and
Thomas McEwan and James b. Vredeu-
burgh pricked up their ears and Counsel
lors Lawrence and Sam McEwan stopped
in the middle OF a conferences. Ex-Judge
Seymour gazed with interest on McPhil-
lips first choice, and ex-Judge Ransom
laid aside tine Court Calendar
ne was perusing to await de-
velopments. Big Counsellor Haines
forsook his easy seat for a more favor
able position and ex-senator Edwards
looked as II he were calculating the men-
tai calibre Of the jurors. Quo Grouse
and Alderman Salinger became all at
tention and ex-Judge Garrick and John
G. Besson quit their argument on Hamil-
ton County and Counsellor K. 5. Cowles
murmured "a Salvation Army" as his
benign glance fell on the jurors.
SWORN IN.
Deputy County Clerk John Fisher first
swore In John Edelstein, president OF the
Board of Finance, as foreman, and the
others took the necessary oath. Before
Judge Knapp began his caarge. Free
holder William TIerney did the most
creditable action of his life. He asked the
Court to excuse him from serving as a
Grand Juror. Mr.. 4ierney's reasons
could not be heard, but it is fair TO pre-
sumo that he would not want to be a
member of a body that might in the
course of its duty be called on to inyesti
gate some questionable acts OF the Board
OF Freeholders.
Judge Knapp granted the request, and
Mr. Tierney retired. Then the Court
said:-"Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, in
looking over the list of persons held in
jail, and on recognizance awaiting trial.
IDe AOuTL aOtS uOl OU5tTft duf ludb 10 VI
such special interest as to require specific
instruction or even special remark. No
specific subject has been placed before the
Court by my brethren or the Prosecutor
TO present to your notice. You have in
your hands as part OF your duty the
supervision of all matters OF public In
teresr and that which you deem deserv-
ing of it must be investigated. Crime
against the law and public morals can De
punished only by your action, and until
you have acted the Court is power
less. You like all other judi
cial officers are part OF
the court aud must not act upon caprice
or even personal discretion. You should
first find that the law has been violated
and then by whom. You can only make
presentments upon cases as you ind
them. There must be no discrimination.
There are many infractions OF the law IN
this State and county which seem to call
for investigation although they can hard
ly be classed as requiring vigorous IN
yestigauou. You had nothing TO do with
the making of the law aud must act on II
as you find IL upon the statute books, and
it is better that the law be enforced, so if
it is found TO be bad law 1t may be
changed. modified or repealed"
IA case that has been brought to the
attention of this Court Is the death of
two men caused by the falling OF a build
ing.h (The Wells, Fargo & Co. IS stable
sit seems that there may have been neg
ligence somewhere in this accident. and
an investigation may reveal it. Negli-
gence of some duty is crime, and where
1t results in death il is manslaughter."
After defining the law governing this
accident, the Court directed the Grand
Jury to retire, aud the lawyers who had
expected something sensational in the
charge were disappointed.
Sheriff McPhlllips appointed as Grand
T,.r afT1r. tula tar h al fsn2rs
Dilloway, Kohl, Marker. DAILY and
Reese.
A DULL CALENDAR.
The Calendar for both civil and GRIM
inal cases is very small this term of court.
Many of the civil cases are old ones, some
of which have been noticed for trial for
several terms. One of the new cases is
the suit for $4,000 damages brought by
Michael Boland against Police Captain
Patrick Hayes, OF Hoboken. Boland
claims that Hayes, on January Is, at Jer-
sey City, beat him SO severely that he was
laid up for medical repairs for several
weeks. He paid $50 for medicine
and believes the beating he got was
worth g, 900. The old case of Director-at-
Large August BruggemaDR against
Julius Schlatter OF Hoboken. for SANDER
is noticed for trial. but it is believed the
court will not be asked to settle it.
The lively and decidedly interesting
suit of Warren NJ. Coney against William
A. Harney for breaking up his domestic
happiness by alternating his wife's
affections is also on the ealen-
dar. So are the suits of the
Keatings against the New York and
Long Branch Railroad Companies, the
outcome of the Oceanport disaster, July
5, 1887. One of these cases WAS tried at
the last term of court and $4,000 was
awarded. There are three more noticed
for trial. The case of the town OF Harri-
sou against the Pennsylvania and the
Delaware, ,Lackawanna and Western Rail-
road Companies was set down for trial by
the Court, without jury, on January 10.
1t is case of ejectment
There are nine cases for damages
against the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany caused by accidents on the road,
and all are noticed for trial. In all there
are sixty-eight Circuit Court cases and
forty-one Supreme Court cases.
The only case in the Criminal Court
where an Indictment for murder may be
found is that of John Richardson. who
killed the hoodlum. John Costigan, and
If Richardson is indicted it Is believed il
will be for manslaughter only.
Not Mr.. Dugan's Former Partner.
Et.vorI nunon Of tra