The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-07
GRAND JURY NO LONGER
Having Completed It's La
bors That Body Was Yes
terday Discharged.
ITS CURIOUS PRESENTMENT
The Syenlte and Asphalt Job In
yestigated-Mayor Pagan
Speaks for Hoboken.

escorted Tue GranQ Jury INTO court, anQ
the members were received by Judge
Lippiacott. DIR. McGlll, foreman, in
formed the Court that in handing up
eighteen indictments and one present.
ment the duties of the Grand Jury for the
term were ended. Dr.. McGIl said
further that he would like TO b We the
presentment published in the official
Grand Jury had done it's duty TO the best
of It's ability.
Judge Lippincott said thai tbs present.
ment should be advertised. and that the
Court would consult and issue the necss-
sary order OF publication. Judge Lips
pincott hen asked the Prosecutor II ne
had any further business for the Graud
Inquest and being informed no, the Court
discharged it with thanks for Lhs duties
it mad performed. The presentment
anded thu Court is as follows:-
THE PREsENTMENT,
TO the Court of Oyer and Tsrminer and
General JGtL Delivery of Hudson County,
Upon tns installation of this u and
Jury the Cour was pleased to charge
upon certain ~subjscts which especially
concerned the pubic veal
"Il the discharge OF its duty this
Grand jury has diligently inquired into
the matters com nented upon by the
SOQIb Al l6 Cu6E&Ss anu WOulu E65DSGb
fully submit this prsssntmeut,
THE sYENITE SCHEME.
One OF the subjects TO which the
Court called partlculsr attention, was the
contracts for paying certain streets of
Jersey City with stone blocks. said to
consist of what is known as Staten
Island Syenite." II was publicly alleged
that fraud existed in the execution of
these contracts, and also a conspiracy det-
rlmental to the interests Of the city
between The contractor and the Street
and Water Commissioner Of Jersey
City. A thorough Investigation of this
whole matter WAS made ny the Grand
Jury. aud it was unable to obtain sucn
evidence as would justly or lawfully
Ample opportunity was Afforded all per-
sons who had publicly claimed
to be 10 possession of con-
elusive evidence Of crime in
connection with the above mentioned
contracts, TO appear before the Grand
Jury aud testify. Only one Of these per-
sons did appear and testify, ami the tess
timony he offered was alers heresay.
vague. meagre and IN worthy of serious
consideration. In this investiK tiou,
among other witnesses. we subpe lsed
the Mayer aud the Corporation Attorney
of Jersey City. They appeared aud testi-
fed, and it 10 mainly due to the state
ments and explanations made by them
hat the Grand Jury has been satisfied
that NO Indictment can be justly found.
1T appeared from the svIiencs tn at
the term Staten Island Syenite' was used
as a species of trade mark. hat it was
never claimed that paving blocks cut
from this rock we're composed of true
svenite or other than a superior variety
Of trap rock found only On Staten Islaud.
This variety OF trap rock is said to be
-,-o.;o- - n -vlS..w k-- .1-Lr a.
street paving purposes because IL is
coarser grained. can be more easily cut
into the regular specification paving
block aud Is equally durable ~ to wear,
Under the name of Staten Island
Sysnite' the municip ! authorities of
New YORK City aivsrtise proposals for
bids for this rock to pave their stresLs. A
number Of street pavemsnts composed OF
such rock have been laid In that city aud
are said to have seen so far very salts
factory. 1t Is used as q Substitute for
granite. This Grand Jury acknowledges
itself particularly ndssted for fnforma-
ton on this subject Of 'Sysa1te' to the
testimony given by the Corporation At
torDey of Jersey City.
H ASPHALT JOB.
1.-THE Grand Jury also thoroughly In
~vestigated the contracts made for the
navsment of certain of the streets of
Jersey City with the pavement known as
'asphalte.' 1t was at first supposed that
the acting Mayor n certain of the
Street aud Water Com nlssiYasrs had
violated o provision of the city charter
In reference to the awarding OF the con-
tracts.
Upon advice given by the Prosecutors
Office thar the action of the Acting Mayor
aud certain OF ths Street and Waite I
Com missioners WAS y violation Of law.
the Grand Jury promptly found indicr>
ments against tue parties duplicated. but
a subsequent investigation before tue in-
dictmsats were presented to tho court
convinced the Grand Jury that it ri in
error as to the law on the su ject and
that no convictions could he had under
the indictments found; they were there
fore unanimously reconsldered.
TN the matter of street pavsmsnts for
cities aud towns in Hudson County the
Grand Jury is of tue opinion that the tran
rock native to this county and quarrisc
therein furnishes a reliable and saEisfac-
tarv pavement for streets, fully
equal to imported rock aud con
siderably cheaper 1t also has
the additional recommendation that
its uss sustains home Industries an
affords work TO many citizens of that
| county. Experiments in pavements
while they NAV be made with honest
intent, are costly and Ill suited TO mlui-
| cipal treasures, already badly etnbar-
raised by former dishonest extravA-
gances In this way, and are TO be
sincerely deplorsd, but we nave NOT been
able to fini that they are criminal or
have been attended by criminalsy.
HUDSON COUNTY A PARADISE.
ITO profit oy ths ex ,erlance aud TX
| pertinent of foreign municipalities ia
determining improvsme is la cities and
towns in this county seems to be the
wiser course as well IA the one most
satisfactory to the depleted pockets of
taxpayers.
For the purpose of ascertaIning II tn,
municipal authorities of the several
cities aud town in the county had any
knowledge of violations of law ia opera
ton within the various municipalities
they were severally served with u
subpoena to appear before ths Graud
Jury and testify.
1.-THE Mayor. Superintendent, Chief and
the Captains OF Police OF Jersey City, the
Mayor. Chief OF Detectives. Chief aud
Captain Of Police OF Hoboksn, and chief
police officials of Bayoune, Kearny,
harrison. Gutenberg. Town of Untou
aud Weehawken ohsyed their subpoe las
aud gave testimony. The result OF the
Investigation Disclosed The fac that &C
cording 10 the knowledge of these public
fu~uctiouaries given nader oath, thai this
county ID singulsriv free from yiaIatiop.
of law and for mo Atty and snbri4 = VIII