New-York tribune., 1890-06-28
NEWS FROM NEW JERSEY.
JERSEY CITY.
EAGER TO PROVE THEIR IGNORANCE.

ELECTION OFFICERS PROFESS TO KNOW NOIHINu
OF TIE LAWS DEFINING THEIR DUTIES.
The steady grind of the mill Of justice In the
General sessions Court. where four OF the lnhc'cn
Jersey CITY election officer, are on trial. was continued
yesterday The greater part Of tho morning session
was taken up with the examination Of the de-
PENDANTS, Judge Lppincott taking hand in 1t and
putting some pointed questions. Thomas Fallon, tho
clerk was first called to the stand and by the time
DisrictAttorncy Winfield got through with nm lie
was glad to get away. Tie substance of Fallons
statement under ross-cXamnation was that he was
an election officer in another precinct on the two
registration DAYS but he volunteered 10 60 down 10
the First Precinct on election day 10 help them ont.
He I'm the others. although he was only there
to fill vacancy, aud he did not know that he had
right to do it. lie accounted for the cgblc man
nor in which the written the poll book
by saying that he was SICK that day and he Is
good pcnman anyhow nc didn't think IT WAC ncccs-
sary TO number the names on the pobook nor to
put down the name OF voter at IN" time lie voted
Finally on being pressed. the witness In desperation
said he did not know the first rudmonts of the law
Judge Lippncott took the witness in hand and
asked "IIayc you ever consulted the regulations for
election officers - A.-No sir.
o.-Evcr tr,d % hnd what the law was on that
point? h.-No sir
Q-And you have been serving election boards for
ycarS1 A.-Ycs. sir
By Mr.. wmncd-why dd you 20 on counting ballot,
after the close q the poll, .hon knew that tho number
o ballot. exceeded the of vc:crs on tho uol boo a.
Al wanted u count rycsy legal l knew lot u
people had voted whose names l omitted because l vas
sick.
oscar l.. Friclur-h. the Republican election officer
in another precinct. and Who i, also under Indictment.
testified that he went 70 the Republican headquarters
and signed number Of afidavlts to De used for
registry purposes. lie signed them although he did
not Know the persons whose names were IN thcm that
IS he made oath that the persons were legal voters
Tic witDcs' did not thiuk thn, perjury lie con
sdcrcd 1t honest enough for politics Mr.. Winfield
excused the witness after he testified that he had
never been In state prison.
Jacob Mo,chcl. the Judge of election told the sane
story told by his colleagues lie. confessed ,o
ignorance and stupidity. bat dld not know Of any
frauds. ON cross examination. when asked To explain
apparent crooked work. hi, memory failed him. lie
had not noticed any difference IN the marks on the
D." Joker" aud rcgrIltr ballots
At this point Mr. NIcdcnhu~sh created a diversion
and excited the interest Of thc court and counsel IS
suggesting that the proceedings should be- stopped
He aid that Il the defendants guilty Of conspiracy
they guilty Of greater crime. II the, conspirci
10 commit frauds The election they violated their
oath' Of ofee and con ,oqucn'y committed high mis-
state prison ana S-01 nnc. Tie p.naly 70,
500 ine Under the law. i 5r w. yrlcntursh rii
ar-ned. the cs-cr Grim. i, merged IN lc greater
Lich misdcmcanOr instead Il piracy. iud d-c LID
pincoit directed coun,c! % IIopIr. brf ana submit
II T. the court on Monday. when the tral VIII b.
resumed
Ernest Fielding. the state, witness. who wa sen,
70 the Comfy Jal IN ori'r - Prevent him toins tan
Icrcd Wn Nd, I"lca ed on 200 lll. lie Wa, not
called yest rday. bat is understood th1t Dds fct
mony j. Of c!"at Importance. Erfptc election " Tom
IVttcr, one q" the indicted election olhD'r the
inancid partner n lq"oT tor kc.t by q Woman
al tOpS->i and IIOb"h"u-aN,. Fielding bought "a"
place, and alter hc gIt possession De there the top
Il a lau)t-boN, with The stamping. milling ana
pune turing michn. attached II !, -uppO"d that th,
j, tho machiH" through which the loicr-" were ruu
TIC woman dad l!tu'r arc nos enemies. and she j.
willing 10 give testimony. but III" }, hospital iu
New orE, and VIII not lr able to leave II for ~
least twp weeks. Ficldils VIII not D." placed on TIE
stand Un'il the woman j. ready to testify.