The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-07-30
THREE In STRIPES.
Republican Election Off
GERS Accept Their Fate
and Go TO Prison.
JUDGE LIPPIseOTI's REMARKS.
He Declares That the Court Will
Perform Its Duty Fearlessly-
Mercy Accepted and Refused.

morning, when John ~. StumpI, MaFtih
Flynn and Oliver, Stringham were ar
raigned for sentence before Justice Lip
pincott. The juries which had convicted
these men had recommended them all TO
the mercy of the court, aud pleas, petitions
and personal appeals had been made in
their behalf 1t was expected that some
heed to these recommendations would be
taken by the Court. But no one expected
that the Court would consider it In the
manner it did. Judge Lippincott E.
dueed the sentences upon the condition
that the men would ayr ee not to appeal,
but proceed to serve out the sentence at
once. Stringham and FLYNN accepted
the condition, but Stumpf would not.
When the three men had arranged
themselves before the Court. Judge Lip
pincott said:-
JUDGE LIPPINcoTT's VIEW.
"a careful examination Of the evidence
in your cases fully support the verdict OF
guilty against you. With much know
ledge of wrong doing on your part which
should have utterly precluded such an
act, you all joineo in canvass OF the
votes and in the signing OF. false and
fraudulent certificate OF election The
Court is fully satisfied that at the close Of
election your knowledge was such tnat
you should have absolutely refused TO
proceed to canvass at all. least to sign
the returns. Not only this, but you
should at once have abandoned the
places of election and under your sworn
complaints have delivered the other
officers OF election into the hands OF the
law. Instead of this YOU acted with them
In fastening this fraud upon the people.
"Resolute men are required at the bal
lot box; resolutely honest men. You and
the other officials were resoiutely disnon-
~ all f.fr le~ rrrsu asad u n
the knowledge of the requirements OF the
law. You resolutely ignored them all.
and call it what you may-negigence. IL
YOU please. Whatever il was, utterly alb
solute in its defiance Of all the essentials
of an honest election. lf you are TO be
your conduct, every ballot In the
boxes could have been falsited and
every man in the city whether
resident or not could have voted at three
precincts. In fact there appeared TO be
no necessity OF any vote ut all in order TO
have full vote polled. These remarks
from registration to the signing OF the
returns are particularly applicable to the
precinct in which MIR. Stumpf was as an
election ofncer.
HEIGHT AND DEPTH OF INFAMY.
1.-The highest and lowest infauy was
reached by the election ofncers 10 tnal pre-
ctuct. Everything was false there, reg
fstration, poll book, ballots canvass and
returns.
"You are said to belong to the different
political parties. The Court does not
notice this except to say that in its obser-
walton of the cases already trleo. enao
these election officeIs are neither Demo-
Gratis or Republicans. They neither
could serve their country nor any party
honestly. They were political freeboot-
ers in the service of individuals
who never could reach public station
without exercise OF absolute alshSnessy
and fraud and in that service honest
candidates for Office suffered some dis
grace and others disaster, whilst the
pirates in whose employment they acted
reached the point of their vile aggran-
dizement.
"The Court neither seeks nor desires any
merit for the enforcement or the law or
| the performance of the law, or the per-
forniance of any duty. These cases must
stand each by itself upon the evidence,
and by that the Court must JUSTIFY lIs
conclusion and sentence. In view Oh IN
formation which has reached the court IL
| Is proper to say that high above political
piracy stands Justice protecting all men
alike The Court relies upon all good
men for support in the administration OF
| justice-even handed justice.
COURAGE AND INDEPENDENCE.
..It must not fear an issue made against
| the independence and courage requisite
| To the administration OF this quality OF
| Justice from whatever source or power
| Ihat issue may arise. 1t must be ana IS
at all times ready for combat on that
| issue and must be and Is fearless Oh the
| result.
"Punishment must be immediate and
certain in order to attract the the puollc
mind, and be effective in itself aud as
an example deterrent, when guilt pc
once clearly establish ed the punishment
should be swift and sure, both as a
| punishment to the offender ana 10 arouse
| Dubiic attention TO the end that there oe
| no repetition of the offense. The jury
| found you guilty and recommended you
| TO the mercy of The Court. You and your
counsel and your friends nave
besought mercy In your oehaiI:
| You cannot escape Imprisonment
| and IL mercy be extended to you It must
be upon your pledge in open court to sub
| init in all respects to the Judgment OF the
| Court without an appeal or review TO any
! other court.
.SThe Court understands from your
counsel, Mr.. Stumpf, that you refuse 70
| accept these terms" the Judge said,
turning toward that individual, who
stood with arms folded gazing stolidly
| before him. He inclined his head slightly
and the Judge continued
SPECIAL TO MR. sTUMPF.
| 'sThe sentence of the Court Is that you
/ be confined at hard laber Ia States Prison
| for the term of eighteen months, and
thence until the costs Of prosecution are
| paid"
Flynn, when told by the judge that he
| understood that he accepted the eoDdi-
tions. nodded his head afhrmatively and
/ the court sentenced him to nine months
Imprisonment at hard labor in the peni-
| fentiary at Snake Hill and thence until
| the costs of prosecution are paid.
| Flynn looked greatly relieved al
| this sentence. and while the Judge
was pronounciBg it Stringham'
| face lighted MP perciptibly. He was Sc
anxious to accept the terms that he could
| hardly wait until the Judge had con-
| cluded. Stringham and Flynn were
taken Immediately TO the County Jail aud
| will enter upon their terms at Snake Hill
| at once. They will serve about seven and
| a half months, as one-sixth of their sen
tence will be commuted for good be-
| haviour.
| WRIT OF ERROR.
Warren Dixon secured writ OF error
| for Stumpf. and he was released on 81. SOC
| nail. his mother, Elizabeth StImpf. and
/ Patrick Govern becoming his securities.
John Green. Republican Inspector IL
| the Election Board of the Firs'
precinct of the Second district
VINO was sentenced to eighteen months
| IMPRISONMENT in States Prison on De-
cenber last. and who has been in ths
| County Jail since, unable 10 obtain bail,
| appeared in this Court about two hours
/ alter the sentencing Of Stumpf and ths