The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-10-31
CITY HALL CRIME
Judge Lippincott Charges
the Grand Jury to
Indict Brooome
& Co.
NO REFUGE FROM GUILT

NO REFUGE FROM GUILT
Ascertained Facts Strongly In
dictate Conspiracy-The
People Robbed
The Grand Jury went into court yes
terday afternoon and handed up twenty
eight indictments. Judge Lippincott
took the indictments and then addressed
the Grand Jury as follows:-
I'm the beginning of this term the
Court took occasion to say TO you that
at a later day in the term your further
attention would be called to certain mat
tiers. L referred to the question of the
Investigation OF the award for a new
water supply. I have nothing durtner
The resolution awarding q contract mas,
by certiorari, been removed to the SUI
preme Court for review, and the matter
No further facts have been laid before
me in the matter requiring. any further
charge to you on the subject. If any
facts or any situation should arise and
come to my knowledge requiring your
attention, / shall at once lay them be
fore you. Until all the evidence is taken
in the certiorari proceedings / shall re-
frain from any further instruction to
you on the subject. When such evidence
is completed it may become necessary to
refer to the subject, depending upon cir
cumstances which may arise and upon
such facts as may be presented to the Court.
Continued ,w~atchfuIness, however, over
this, as we'll as many other subjects, may
CRIMINALITY EXISTS.
Another matter to which | now desire
to call your attention., is the construction
of the new City Hall of Jersey City.
The construction of his binding was
committed to the commissioner appointed
agents of the city, under the law. as
were necessary for the purpose. 1t would
not serve any good purpose now, TO go
into detail upon his subject. The Court
will always be at hand upon your re-
quest, to aid you in the performance of
your duties in this matter.
THE last Grand Jury made an inyesti-
cation of this matter and, with their pre-
sentiment, and as a part of it, submitted
a report of Mr.. Robert Maynicke. an ex-
pert architect, who had on their behalf,
examined the building. The Court has
carefully read this report and 1t is diff
cult to arrive at a conclusion that GRIM
inal culpability has not existed on the
part Of those whose duties We're to super
intend n control the construction of the
building, as well as upon the part of
those engaged in the erection thereof. 1t
certain whether such criminal culpability
exists or not. The Cour is compelled to
call your attention to the matter and ask
sponsibility of this Court rests in giving
you the matter in charge.
WAS THERE A CONSPIRACY?
conspiracy between any persons to de-
aud the city of any of its monies?
Has there existed p conspiracy to give
provided for in the contract or specifca-
tons for the erection of this building?
Has there been a conspiracy to erect this
h1T1td1n0 a q H. while ~ 1 n onIy N ~ or
to any extent. of materials different from
those. provided for in the contract and
specihcatlons. with intent to defraud the
sufficient building. or in any other man
ner injuring the city?
I'm he consideration of this question
into the conduct of all engaged in the
erection of the building. as officials,
nishing labor and materials for the erec-
ton. Thereof. You can examine into the
conduct of those whose duties consisted
OF supervising its construction. You can
investigate to ascertain whether any one
in an official capacity has been guilty of
m~alfeasance in office; that is. of wilful
and corrupt action and conduct contrary
officials' are elected and appointed 10
law, and not My this, but they are held
to the performance of such public du-
ties as are necessary to protect the pub
IGNORANTIA NON ExcUsAT.
They are presumed to bring to their
positions capacity to, understand theil
nave knowledge, intelligence and capa-
sessed Of these Qualifications, and the
plea of ignorance. want of intelligence
and want of capacity must not be al
Under such circumstances they are not
should resign. 'V But eegr ssih1GpS they ega sh eniS
h hAI6 RI n nfriaf Fl T
could make this matter no more impress
In YOU Investigation you can find indict-
ments upon. either positive or circum-
%stantial evidence. In order to find an
indictment it is only necessary for you
to find nc : prima facle guilt, and to do this
and the weight and effect of this evil
Grand Jury can put two and two to-
gether, and they have a right to say the
addition makes four. without having
any witnesses before them to swear to
ITO illustrate this: Suppose the Grand
Jury should find that materials of a
those called for in the specifications have
been placed in this building, and yet the
work has been approved Of and paid for
by the city at the rate called for in the
specifications, would you not say that
the contractor who placed the materials
other official whose duty it was to super
wise and control such matters? What
better evidence would you wish, to prove
a conspiracy to defraud. What better
evidence would you wish of official NAL
f~easance. And whether paid for by the
city or not, it furnishes evidence of con-
spiracy to defraud and m~alfeasance, for
it is not necessary that a conspiracy
should succeed in order to be indictable;
fence hecomg fndictable."
DO YGJR DUTY JURORS.
II will not now further Illustrate on
this subject. / invoke the performance
of your duty in this regard, without ref
erence to the high position, official or
otherwise, of any one who may come
under the ban of criminal ~culpability.
| herewith hand you the report of the
Expert as the basis upon which you can
proceed with this Investigation, which I
hope will rebound to the credit of the
public. Let it not be said anywhere hat
the criminal tribunal of this county are
unable to enforce the performance of
official duties upon the part of those in
authority"
OFF THEIR TR0LLEYS FOR A NIGHT
The eleventh annual ball of the Hud-
son County Surface Railroad Employees
Association was held last night at
Woods Hall. The attendance was large
and a jolly time was had by everyone.
The officers of the association are:-
James H. Kelly, President; Michael Nc