The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-12-26
XMAS PRESENTS.
Those Given the New York
Police Not What They
We're Used To.
STRIPES FOR STEPHENSON
He Goes to the Penitentiary
for Three Years and Nine
Months = Still More
Indictments.
@UEALERS SEEM TO MULTIPLY
Policeman Shalyey Telling Alleged
Secrets to the Lexow
Investigators.
HUEALERs SEEM TO MULTIPLY
sCHMITTBERGER NOT TO BE TRIED

NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 1S94.-Ex-Police
Captain John T. Stephenson was SEN
fenced to years and months in States
Prison and to pay fine of $1,000 by
Ingraham in the court of Oyer andTer-
miner this morning. A motion for new
trial was denied. but the matter will
come up again on Monday next.
Stephenson was convicted December 12
The charge against him was bribery in
receiving four baskets of peaches from
Martin N. Edwards, produce dealer OF
1873 Duane street, partial consideration
for allowing Edwards to violate the law
by occupying the sidewalk to facilitate
the transaction of his business. Police
man Thorne was mentioned as the 60
between for Stephenson and was in
dicted. Subsequently Thorne made
confession in which he stated all he knew
of police corruption and backmail AT
the trial of Stephenson before the Board
of Police Commissioners Thorne denied
any part in the blackmailing transactions
of Stephenson. In his confession, how
ever, he said he had perjured himsef
before the Board and declared that
Stephenson had endeavored to make
oyer and Terminer. Thorne did not
appear as witness before Judge In
graham
THE JUDGES REMARKS.
In passing sentence Judge Ingraham
said-Stephenson you have been con-
victed of bribery by the jury upon evil
dence that was absolutely indisputable.
No. man questions that evidence. The
crime of bribery is a crime against the
people of the State. 1t is not for six
dollars worth of peaches. The size or
kind of the bribe you got is no conse-
euenee in the case. The great question
is the responsibility, the trusts reposed
in you that you have violated
1.-The fact that innocent persons, your
wife, children and relatives will suffer
from the infliction of this punishment
is one that while L extremely regret
the necessity that confronts me cannot
stay the performance of my duty in i'm
posing an adequate punishment for what
1 consider most serious crime.
IT have received recommendation
signed by all of the Jurors. That rec
ommendation 1 shall consider and shall
give it great weight.
81 will endeavor to fix a penalty
which, while it shall not be excessive
or severe, at the same time show thlt
this is a crime most serious. The very
foundation of society rests upon the
faithful performance of public officers
of their duties. The sentence of the
Court is that you shall be confined
three years and nine months in the
State Prison and pay fine of $1,000"
MOVING FOR A STAY.
Lawyer Vincent gave notice that he
would move for a stay of execution.
AS the sentence was pronounced Steph-
enson shut his teeth hard together and
turned away quickly from the bar to
be led back to the Tombs. He was sur
rounded by his friends as he started
from the court room and was shaken
warmly by the hand. His brother whis-
pered to him to keep UP his courage,
that there was yet hope of a better
outcome.
Stephenson remained silent. His eyes
were cast down as he was taken to the
Bridge of Signs.
MORE INDICTMENTS.
It is expected that the Grand Jury
will bring in a number of indictments
in impor ant cases either today to-
s1orrc-S. The press of prison cases
that have accumulated on account of
the holidays may prevent the considera-
ton of police cases to6ay. but num-
ber of witnesses, evidently called in
connection with the confessions of Cree
den, Thorne and Schmittberger were in
the ante-room of the Grand Jury's quar-
ters at an early hour ready to give their
testimony 1t is known that several of
the assistant District Attorneys have
been busy drawing up indictments. They
were early at work today. 1t is said
that a number OF indictments have been
drawn up in anticipation of the action
of the jury, so as to facilitate matters
in view of the croWding of criminal
business.
The District Attorney has practically
dropped the cases against Creeden and
Schmittberger When asked this morn
ing what action he would take regard
ing them he replied that he was not
ready to make q statement as yet, but
might have something to say later on.
Neither of the men had been promised
tanythins, and hence whatever action
was taken by the District Attorney was
entirely unhampered The two men,
however. are understood to have re-
ceived assurances of a sufficiently def
mite character to warrant them in feel
ing easy as 10 criminal proceedings
against them
Police Captain Schmittberger came to
the District Attorneys Office at Il 80
o'cleek this morning. accompanied by
John Roster and George Hopper, re-
tired merchant. who said he was ready
TO take the place of James Breslin on
the Captains bond. The Captain bore
no traces Of his Illness and appeared
rather jovial IN his manner. He laugh
ed and talked with his two compan-
ions while waiting the conclusion OF the
necessary formalities attending the
transfer OF his security.
The Chief Clerk said It was unneces-
sary for Mr. Breslin TO appear in per-