The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-06-14
COsTELLO's RIGHT TO PRACTICE
A Lawyer without Certificate Who
Gives Points to Young sUns.

Justice Potts this morning summoned a
man giving his name as John E. Costello,
and representing himself to be counsellor
at-law before him to explain a serious alle-
CATION made against him by Mrs. Smith,
wife of Captain John Henry Smith of No.
36l. Grand street. Nellie Keegan of Ho-
boken few days ago, caused the arrest OF
Joseph Smith on serious charge.
Justice Douglass Of Cooper alley issued the
warrant, When Smith heard that warrant
was out for his arrest he surrended him
self. Justice Douglass did not deem it neces-
sary to give the man formal examination.
He took him to the First precinct station
house and asked him If he was guilty. Smith
answered in the affirmative, and without
any further ado committed him to the
City Prison.
About this time the man Costello put in an
appearance, and succeeded in having an in
terview with Smith In a modest manner
he informed the prisoner that for $50 he
would ''pull him through the scrape all
rieht:n in fact, went SO far as to assure him
that he would get him out of the scrape by
the following day. Smith did not have S25,
but he had Sl2 coming to him from the Tice
Towing Company, at the foot of Henderson
street. After lengthy5copversation Smith
consented to give Costello an order for the
S12. Costello, according to the story Mrs.
Smith told NEWS reporter, went to the
towing conpany's office. sought Captain
Smith and, it is alleged told him that his
brother, who was prisoner, had sent him
down to see him in order to get the money.
CAPTAIN Smith accompanied him, and Cos
telio secured the $12 Costello had not
nm to this time done any
thing. The next morning Smith
the prisoner decided to marry Miss keegan.
They were married at Headquarters by JUS
| i 1,a then
missed Smith now wants to know by what
right Costello holds his S12, he having done
nothing in his behalf Yesterday afternoon
Mrs. Smith alleges that she asked Costello
for the money and he asked what she ex-
pected. He said he had paid So to Justice
Geiger and named other expenses. Mrs
Smith then asked for the wedding certificate.
She alleges that Costello said Justice Geiger
had IL She interviewed that worthy off
cial and he said Costello had it. Up to eleven
o'clock this morning Costello possessed the
marriage certificate
Justice Geiger declares that Costello paid
him only ST for his services.
| Mrs. Smith wanted a warrant for Costel-
| los arrest for obtaining money under false
pretenses. Justice Potts tried to find out
| from Costello by what right he kept the Sl2,
| and Costello, who was frightened decided
| to return the money.
| Costello has been doing good business In
| in Justice Potts court and his right has been
| frequently questioned. For a few weeks he
had shingfe out in Justice Martinez's office,
but that had disappeared this morning. He
| said he was arranging for an office on Mont
gomery street. He says he is a graduate OF
| the Boston University. He has not com
| piled with the law in regard to passing an
examination admitting him to the bar Of
this state He says he has made application
to Judge Iippincatt pending his examin-
alton His case is to be further investi