The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-15
THEIR DOOM SEALED
Damning Evidence of Street
and Water Board
Crime.
PRESENTED TO MAYOR WANSER.
All Plead Not Guilty, but All
Looked Guilty and Panic
Stricken.
THE BROWN PLACE VILLAINY
Republican Reform Thunderers De-
fend the Accused Malfeasants
Where the Railroads
Come In.
THE BROWN PLACE vILLAINY
VAIN CLAM0RS FOR DELAY.
Reuben Simpson Gives Testimony
Erwin's Weak Position-The
Real Charges.


Mayor Wanser began this morning the
hearing of the charges which were brought
against the members of the Street and
Water Board, and which have been pub
lshed in full in THE JERSEY CITY NEWS
The hearing took place in the Aldermanic
Chambers, and the proceedings were care
fully watched by a number of citizens,
among whom were John H. Hopkins,
Henry Petit, Michael Schultz, Sr, George
Schmolze, Henry Lutz, Louis Hennemeier,
ex-Judge Quaie, Alec Campbell, Henry
Hanks, Joseph A. Dear, Major w. H. Arm
strong, ex-Judge Douglass, ex-Judge Voor-
hees, w. F. Midlige, Adam Reid, Reuben
Simpson, Herman Walker, H. Ewald, Com
missioners Clarke, Prigge and German of
the Tax Roard.
The first active participant in the proceed
ingS TO agrive was Lawyer James Irwin. who
quietly took seat at the lawyers tables and
fell to studying the typewriter charges.
Soon after the genial Billy" Cook, one of
the accused Commissioners, quietly entered
the door and modestly went into the rallied
space reserved for the Tax Commissioners.
William smiled on all, as usual, but his smile
put on with an effort. 1t was by no means
as broad and wholesouled as it used to be
when things went just as he wanted them in
the building at Jersey avenue and Mercer
street.
Mr. Irwin was soon joined at the counsels'
table by Otto Grouse and ex-Judge William
T. Douglass 1t was exactly ten O'Clock by
the time piece in the chamber when Mayor
Nanser entered the room, accompanied by
Corporation Counsel Edwards, City Attorney
Weart and Secretary Nevin. Mr.. Charles
Corbin and Charles Thompson the counsel
for the defendants soon followed, and
took seats at table opposite that
occupied by the counsel for the complainants.
Commissioners Somers, Madden and Yoe
quickly followed and with Commissioner
Cook seated themselves about the counsel.
ANY smoking allowed here. Mr.. Mayor?'
asked Mr.. Cook when he was seated.
mo, SIR was the Mayors laconic answer,
and Mr.. Cook subsidized
The accused men appeared at ease with an
effort, and quietly regarded the proceedings.
There was a long wait for the stenographer,
during which the charges and the probable
outcome of the affair was discussed by the
citizens who crowded the chamber.
THE HEARING BEGUN
When the Mayor announced that he was
ready to go on, Mr.. Corbin said that although
he had not read the charges, he would waive
their formal reading by Clerk Nevin. Mr..
defendants and all answered to their names
except Mr.. Dugan.
Mr.. Corbin then said that he and Mr.
Thompson appeared for5the accused.
do they plead not guiltyN asked the
Mayor.
position" said Mr. Corbin s'some of the
charges are not good on their face. l don't
want to admit that they are good charges,
and we wish to make formal denial of
their truth and sutficiency''
COMPLAINANT's CONTENTION.
Mr.. Irwin in opening for the complainants
said that the charges were brought in pur-
suance of the act of 1891, which he read
sit is claimed Mr.. Irwin went on ''that
we have shown sufficient cause to warrant
your Honor in recommending the removal
of these gentlemen. The charges contain
first the charges and the acts SubStantiating
these charges"
do you mean that you will not prove
your charges9' asked Mr.. Corbin.
mo, sir, replied Mr.. Irwin who, turning
to the Mayor, continued, ''The proof Of
these charges is in the hands of these gen
tlenen and we think your Honor should put
these men on their defense, and, after hear
ing them, decide whether they should not be
removed. These cases are not analogous to
the trial of policeman or other officer, who
holds under the tenure of office act.
'sThere is nothing in the act to place us in
is alone the prosecutor, and we simply bring
these charges to your notice The law all
seems to imply that this proceeding is not to
be surrounded with all the technicalities and
formality of a court of law
Mr.. Irwin then spoke of the old board,
new charter, which made the Mayor respon-
sible for the doings of the boards which he
appointed, and gave him certain checks to
hold over his appointees so that if they did
not do their duty he could remove them.
Mr.. Irwin referred to the act of 1891, which
increased the number of Commissioners to
five, and took away minority representation,
and said that these men were not appointed
by the Mayor, and yet he was responsible
for their performance of their duty, and if
they failed it was his duty to remove them
1t was the Mayors duty, Mr.. Irwin con-
tended, to hear these things and remove
these men If they are guilty.
Mr. Corbin said that if the other side
offered no proof he did not see that there was
anything for them to do as his side had no
proof to meet.
MAYOR WANsER's STAND.
The Mayor said he proposed to go on with
the trial fairly. He wanted, when the case
reached the Governor, as it may, the Gov
erncr to say that he had conducted the case
fairly. and he did not want the charges
thrown back upon him.
He would not take the charges as true and
should compel them to prove the charges.
The law made him a judge in this
matter, and he could not be judge and
prosecutor both. The charges We're suscepti-
ble of proof. All the offenses charged were
matters of record, and the City Clerk and
Clerk of the Street and Water Board had
been subp9naed to be present this morning.
If the prosecutors could not prove the
charges he would direct the city's law off
GERS to furnish the proof.
THE MAYORS POWER.
Mr.. Grouse said that those bringing the
charges did not wish to shirk their duty.
But as the citizens had given the Mayor al
most supreme power in this matter, checked
only by the Governor, and il is the Mayors
the Mayor must establish precedent, as