New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-06
GRAVESEND IN REBELLION
A CRISIS IN THIS STATE.
JOHN Y. M'KANE DEFIES THE COURTS AND
THE LAW.
TWENTT-TUO INNOCENT MEN THROUN
INTO JAIL.

lNIO JIIL.
THEY HAD GONE TO GRAvEsEND 70 COPY THE
REGISTRATION LISTS. ARMED WITH MANDAM-
Usls FROM JUDGE CULLEN, AND WERE
MET BY MOB OF RUFFIANs, LED BY
MFANE THE REBEL, IN PERSON.
ARRESTED on TRUMPED UP
CHARGEs-BAIL REFUsED-TAK.
En- TO RAYMOND STREET
JAIL AND CONFINED
OVER SUNDAY.
The series Of registration outrages that have
been perpetrated in the last few days in
Gravesend, under the guidance Of John Y. Nc
one of the most violent infringements on the
inalienable rights of American citizenship that
have been visited upon the people Of the State
Of New-York since British tyranny was over
thrown one hundred years ago. Twenty
two respectable citizens took the train in Brook
Iyn for Gravesend about midnight with manda-
Supreme Court to compel the Gravesend boards
of registry to allow copies Of the poll lists to
be made. and on arriving at Gravesend they
were arrested by gang Of men, who carried no
insignia Of Office except clubs, headed by John
Y McKane, and were thrown into jail on such
charges as "vagrancy," drunkenness" and
'disorderly conduct"
THRUST INTO FILTHY CELLS
In vain the men attempted to show their
mandamuses; In vain they protested that they
were not vagrants. not disorderly and not
drunk In vain they asked to be allowed
to telephone to or in any way To communicate
with Brooklyn 10 get counsel and baii. All
proper and lawful requests denied. and
the men were ruthlessly thrust into filthy dens
with the lowest class Of prisoners. where
as more than one witness can testify. the
vermin was 20 thick that 1t covered their bodies
and clothing.
But this was only the beginning of this con-
sp!racy for revolution" as 1t was aptly termed
bv one OF the witnesses. When 1t was finally
known on Sunday morning in Brooklyn that the
outrage had been perpetrated Henry W.
Maxwell. Elijah Il. Kennedy. f. H. sayres.
James Matthews. ]. G.. Dettmer and c. r.
Donnellon who easily represent s0,OooOoo,
FASTENED down to Gravesend and offered bail
in any sums to release the prisoners But all
in vain The justices Of the peace had all
mysteriously disappeared. and when finally the
men from Brooklyn Unexpectedly came upon
one OF them, Justice Newton coming out OF
about the case. When told that he could fnd
out all he wanted at the police station. just
across the way he insolently said that he was
not going that way. Mr.. Maxwell offered to
Grout urged that 1t was great hardship
n keep men In jail over Sunday when abundant
hail was offered for them. But all was in
vain
The instant Justice Newton saw that he was
"cernered" he started to walk away from
the petitioners. and the conversation just mar
rated took place while his back was turned TO
them and while he was striding away as fast
as he could.
HOLDING COURT AT a. NJ.
The arrested men were first taken to the
Town Hall and at 3 o'clock in the morning they
were removed from there to the police sta
tion. where strange to say. Justice Suther-
land was then sitting in open court Here Is
specimen Of the way he dealt out justice:
drunk and disorderly. What do you say about
it?"
"I say It is not true" returned Mcnamara.
"Well" said the Justice. take him and lock
him up I'll see whether he tells the truth or
whether the officer does
Mr.. Mcnamara who seen by a Tribune
reporter in Raymond Street Jail yesterday. did
not look like a man who ever drank a drop
Of liouor or could truthfully be charged with
dsordcry conduct. He is from a highly re-
spected Brooklyn family, and his uncle assured
q Tribune reporter that young Mcnamara was
total abstaner.
Another Of the men arrested was charged
with vagrancy. He Thomas Gardner. a
detective. He also was by a Tribune
reporter in the Jail, and had every appearance
of being a thoroughly respectable man. He
was well and expensvely dressed, having
gold watch and chain and other Jewelry.
THE CONSPIRACY WIDESPREAD.
Another Of the many evidences Of the wide
conspiracy afioat to defeat the ends Of justice
was the fact that when the Brooklyn men
went down to Gravesend yesterday morning to
offer bail for the prisoners the instant they
set foot in the station at the Brooklyn end OF
the Culver Railroad policeman recognized one
OF the men and Immediately stepped to the
telephone What he said is not known but
when the men reached Gravesend 1t was evil
dent that their coming was expected for sew
eral rough-looking were waiting at the
C,rayesend station when the train came In and