The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-05-20
THAT BUMPYIOUS JURY
A Resolution Of Apology
Which Really Magni-
fieS Their Offence.

Judge Lippincott has taught the Grand
Jury of this county lesson, and here
after that body win probably be less ar
rogant. He refused absolutely to appear
in obedience to their subpoena, and, as
THE JERSEY CITY NEWS said he would
do, sent them a dignified but scathing
communication. which took back nothing
the Judge had said in open court in re-
lation to the failure to indict policy
dealers.
The Grand Jury met at two o'clock
yesterday and the first member to arrive
was Dr. Leonard j. Gordon, the Foreman.
He was asked by reporter as soon as he
arrived whether the Grand Jury would
insist on the presence of Judge Lippin-
piled that he could not say yet
and that he had no right
to talk. about Grand Jury matters.
Soon afterward DIR. Gordon was in con-.
sultation with Judge Lippincott in the
latter's private room, and when the tore
went to the office of the Prosecutor later,
and was holding an animated CONVERSE
tion with that official when reporter
strolled in The foreman saw the Intruder,
stopped talking and descended to The
Grand jury room.
CLEAN BACK DOWN.
After few minor offenses were ems
quired into, it is understood, the all
absorbing subject of compelling Judge
Lippincott to appear was broached and
letter from the Judge was read. This
letter, it is said, caused much excitement
in the jury room and O long discussion.
When the body had decided on plan of
action word was sent to the
half dozen reporters who were waiting
the result that their presence would
be required later In the day in the Grand
Jury room. When the time arrived they
entered, and Foreman Gordon, addressing
them. called attention to the controversy
between the Grand Jury and Judge Lip
pincott. and then read this extract from
the minutes:-
At a meeting Of the Hudson county Grand
Jury, held this 10th day of May, 1890. the fol-
lowing was unanimously adopted
Whereas There appeared in certain news
papers report Of certain remarks said to have
been made by Judge Lippincott in court on the
10th inst, which remarks we're subject to an in
depreciation rehecting the official and per-
sonal integrity of the members OF this Grand
Jury; and
Whereas, Judge Lppincott has this day sent
communication to this Grand Jury in which he
distinctly dsclaims any intention to seset ny
or personal conduct and integrity OF che mem
bers of this body;
satisfaction with his explanation and to request
the publication of this vindication of ourselves
in the performance OF our duties.
L. j. GORDON Foreman.
SORE SPOT.
The foreman was requested to give the
press the contents of the judges letter,
but he refused, saying it was private
matter.
This morning I saw Judge Iippincott
and told him that the Grand Jury had
refused to allow his letter TO De published
and the Judge said in reply:-''If they
chose to consider it Grand Jury secret
they have that right. ! have no objec-
tion to having it published"
"WiII you let me make a copyp
ssThat cannot do for have no copy
myself, but will give. you some Of the
matter as / remember it.
First, objected to appearing as a wit
ness for / had no legal evidence to offer
and all the facts that / knew came to the
court judically and what heard others
say. All such information is in the hands
of the Prosecutor, and within the reach
of the Grand Jury. My second objection
was, that as to such matters as those.
could not with legality or propriety 60
before the Grand Jury, and besides /
could not be compelled to attend as wit
ness as to such matters as may come be-
fore the Court judically.
.tIt is said, judge" suggested, that
in another portion of your communion
tion, you hauled the Grand Jury over the
Goals in very lively style. Will you tell
me what you said?"
sTf the Grand Jury claims the letter is
a secret matter ought not do SO; but
/ do not abate anything from my state
ment of the condition of affairs in this
county, and in saying this do not as
perse the integrity of any one. / think
the Courts should call attention to 1t
oftener, and they are to some extent Gems
urable for not doing SO. The Courts are
in the performance of their duties and
the exercise of their privileges limited
and circumscribed to what must occur
judicially, or at the best by referring to
what is matter of common notoriety.
THE PUBLIC TO BLAME.
ssThe public are much to blame for it.
1t is difficult to get persons who know of
violations of law to make complaint and
testify. The numerous officers OF the law
of every kind are charged with the de-
tection of offences and the enforcement
Of the law. Their investigations should
the right to call in the full power
of the State to their aid and
direction. think the public will uphold
the execution OF the law. If the efforts
of the officials of law thus used and
directed should meet with no result it
will be source of great pleasure at the
end of the term to have it promulgated
officially that this county is free from this
class of offences" (policy and lottery.)
Judge Lippincott said that should he
testify as a witness before Grand Jury,
the defendant in any case that came be-
fore him as Judge would have right
to challenge him. The proceedings
Of the Grand Jury room being
secret, the Judge would not be at
liberty to say what case he
testified in, and any defendant would
have right to assume that it was his
case, thus causing much embarrassment
in carrying out the law.
1t is said the Grand Jury are much
chagrined because no retraction from
any thing the Judge said in open court
has been made.
THEY CAUGHT THE GOOSE.
But the Man With the Golden Egg
Was Ken-o-nough to Skip.
Chief of Police Murphy, accompanied