The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-06-23
EZTORIION TN THE JAIL
Boss Davis Dollar Mill Re-
Ceives Condemnation
on All Sides.
HALLMEN WHO TAKE TIPS.
Bob Sees No Harm in Such
Despicable Blackmail-HoW
One Man Got Rich.

Indignation is expressed everywhere by
people who have read in The JERSEY
CITY NEWS the account of the extortioR
practised in the County Jail since Robert
Davis has been Jaler, They declare,
with unauimity Of expression, thatit is
an outrage that such a condition should
exist in such an institution as the Jail.
Bitter expressions are uttered when
these people read that Anton
Chovet said he had to
pay thirty cents for drink of ice water
on one of The hottest days OF this sum
mer, and that the thief who took his
money. deliberately put it in his pocket
and kept 1t there, and Mr.. Chovet, q
wealthy man, accustomed to luxurious
living. was forced TO go thirsty, Such
other charges as being compelled to pay
So for the use of a cell to prevent the
prisoner from being beaten almost to
death by lunatic are also commented on
in the most severe manner; and it is
certain whether Robert Davis IS coguizs
ant OF the system OF robuery in the
County Jail, he is receiving credit for it.
and that nothing except judicial
inquiry by the Grand Jury or Board OF
Freeholders will set at rest the belief in
the minds of many that extortion is
permissible in the jail. Here is what
Jailer Davis says himself concerning
extortion, and If he does not stand self.
convicted before the public, the public Is
certainly most merciful jury.
DAVIS EXPLANATION.
l called on Jailer Davis today and
asked him what he had say about the
published charges OF extortion. He
replied:--
II have heard complaints against hall
men. This is only the second time that
have heard OF extortions. Concerning
Chovet and his being laced in cell with
a mad man that is nonsense. He was
put in a cell with Mccormick, who is
locked up for assault aud battery. There
is no truth in Chovst's story that McCor-
mick pounded him. When Chovet was
put into the cell he saw Mccormick lying
on the bunk, and he ordered him to ger
up SO that he (Chovs) might lie down.
McCormick refused. Chover asked the
hall man to place him in another cell ard
he did So"
did the hallman, whose name ID
Burns, get paid for this?"
II don't know. When a prisoner is
brought to the jail he is advised to have
his money and valuables locked up in the
safe in the office. II he declines and
takes his money among lot OF
at his own risk. People complain
of the nallmen after they are discharged
from custody, but they never complain
while IN Jail. would like to have Mrs.
Chovet aud Mr.. Chovet come to the Jail
and make their complaint, or / would
like to have them go before the Grand
Jury and cause an investigation"
Have the Keepers permission to charge
the prisoners money for articles fur.
nishedW Jailer Davis was asked.
HALLMEN'S PERQUISITES.
mo, sir; they are not permitted to
charge anything. The mailman, who is
prisoner appointed because of his good
conduct, has permission TO sell prisoners
lar trifes, and he gets from the
prisoners, presume. all that he can. Ii
he can get ten cents for paper of tobac-
CO. he takes it. I suppose if he can get
more he does so. He is not permitted to
charge any cne for ice water. II any
prisoner gives him a fee. that is entirely
She affair of the prisoner"
"Can the mailman place a prisoner in
whatever cell the mailman Dleasesi"
YES" replied Jatlor Davis, sit ie a
part of his duty TO do this?''
''lf a prisoner desires to be changed
from one cell TO another. has the hall
man the power to make the change
then?"
Yes" answered the jailer.
49, AOA
vicer
II suppose that if man is dissatisfied
with his cell aud he offers a tip Ito the
hall man 20 give him better cell the
hall man will take the tip aud make the
change, but no Keeper is allowed
10 take such tips. IT the
h altman is paid by prisoner it is no
ones business but he prisoners aud the
hallman's. When Hawley. the predeces-
sor of Burns, was hsilman. he was here
Tor six months. He was economical,
and believe he made about $500 during
the time be was mailman. He go5
this none by giving accommodations and
sslliDg tobacco, etc, TO prisoners. and
also for writing letters. He would charge
tweDty-ffve cents or more for writing let.
Ier want to say that no sick person
III the jail has to pay the hallman for
and that l provide the sick
with everything needed, such as soups and
delicacies.
'.In cpnclusion, all that have to say 10
that no other person than the hallman ls
permitted to take money from a prisoner
Tor anything"