The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-11-25
ANOTHER EVENING LIE"
Mr.. Bau m AIMS Broken Window
and Justice Martinez's
Warrant.

To the Editor of the Jersey Citv Neps:-
The Jersey City Evening Liar, in.its edi-
ton of last evening, published one OF its
characteristic ISLANDERS upon two reput-
able citizens. 1t seems to feel aggrieved
| that a "hoodlum," who DESTROYS the
property of a reputable citizen, should be
held to answer for his crime. The facts
are as followS:-A man who keeps n beer
saloon iu q basement on Essex sire ct
bought goods of David Baumann, whole-
sale liquor dealer OF No. "a MONTGOMERY
street, Jersey City. After waiting about
six months for mis- pay, Mr.. Baumann
sued to recover the amount due him, and
obtained judgment fn the Circuit Court.
In consequences of affidavits made by the
debtor in the course of the proceedings,
he was very properly indicted for per-
jury.
About one O'Clock a. M. Monday, he and
u friend went from Essex street to the
corner of Washington and Montgomery
streets.
On the corner he had a conversation
with a person who gives the name OF
John Smith" and who boards with him.
Then he n his friend walked up the
south side or Montgomer cry street towards
Warren street. They were followed at a
distance of about Il hundred n fifty
feet by John Smith. At the same time
that the saloon keeper started west from
Washington street. two young men, who
had been standing on the corner of War
street. They met the saloon keeper n
his friend and passed him. They met
John Smith just east of Baumann's store
and passed him. A few seconds after
wards they heard a lou crash, which re-
sounded through the still midnight air
like the explosion OF a ~ They i'll
stantly turned and saw John Smith eX-
actly in front Of Baunlann's window.
When they first looked they saw Smith
drop his right arm to his side as if he had
raised it in the act of throwing some
thing.
was so great as to attract the attention OF
Police Officer Devlin, who was at the
corner OF Warren street. He ran down
Montgomery street arrested John
Smith II a few steps from Baumann's
store. Smith had kept right on at a brisk
gait, Notwithstanding the crash, never
stopped for a moment. n when arrested
by the officer stated that he had not
heard any noise, and that he was hurry
ing to catch his friends who were ahead
OF him, the saloon keeper and friend).
An investigation showed that a
large paving stone had been hurled
through the large plate glass front OF
and doing damage to the amour Of
nearly one hundred dollars. the stone
was found inside OF the store, n was
evidently one of those recently taken up
in Washington street. The police officer
threw back Smiths coat, and there plain
ly saw the imprint of the stone on the
cloth where he had concealed 1t as ne pro
ceeded from Washington street to Bau
mann's. The next morning the above
facts were proven before Police
Justice O'Donnell. 1t was also
proved that no other persons
-o.1 -- H. nTN~ 49, = h1nnh
between Washington and Warren streets,
except those above mentioned, and two
men on the southerly side of Montgom-
cry street, near Warren. who could not
by any possibility have thrown said
stone. Notwithstanding these facts, the
Police Justice discharged John Smith,.
and the Evening Liar. in the. interests OF
hoodlumism, defends his action.
1t should be understood that said store
had been closed since Saturday evening.
At the time the glass was smashed
Mr.. Baumann was at home and asleep,
and had nothing to do with the arrest of
John Smith. The following morning,
having been informed of what had oc-
CURED, he appeared in the Police Court
to see what disposition was made OF the
case. Being convinced that John Smith
was the guilty person, when the Police
Justice rendered his remarkable decision
discharging Smith. Baumann immedi-
dbCty QPPllCo ~ uotAS0 Ahoh ohSA ~ y
warrant for Smiths arrest. After an ex-
animation Justice Martinez properly held
Smith to await the action of the Grand
Jury, and il Justice is done, Smith will
probably spend a term in prison.
Our citizens pay u large sum annually
for the support Of a police force and polio g
courts. Our principal business streets are
occupied by stores with large glass fronts.
II PERSONS can hurl large paving stones
through these store windows and then be
turned loose by the police courts, then
the police force and police courts had bet
ter be abolished and the people left to
protect their property the best way they
can. IT John Smith is not guilty Of the
crime charged against him, why do not
the police arrest the one who Is guilty?
Surely, with the large force of detectives.
they ought to be able to ascertain who
was the person vino committed the bold
crime with which Smith was charged. If
Smith is not guilty, then it behooves the
Police Board to investigate the negli-
gence of the patrolman in the vicinity Of
said block and run down the criminal.
AT the conclusion of the examination
before Justice Martinez. Christian Han
del, q cigar dealer. bailed Smith for trial.
CITIZEN.