The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-04-02
SWEEPING CHARGE,
Justice Lippincott Gives the
Grand Jury Plenty
to Do.
BOULEVARD COSTS TOO MUCH
Rumors Of Fraud in the City
Hall to Be Rigidly
Investigated.
Directs Them to Indict the Police
If the Saloons Are open
on Sunday.

a magnificent bouquet of chrysanthe-
NUNS. roses and lilies was placed on
Justice Job H. Lfppincott's desk in the
court room this morning as compl,-
ment from the Court House officers,
Messrs. Cooke. Zeller and Locke, to
mark the opening of the April term of
court
The opening of a term is always an
important proceeding, attended by every
lawyer who has case on the calendar,
to say nothing about the twenty-three
grand Jurors to whom the Justices S
charge is delivered. This mornings pro-
ceedings had additional interest because
of the rumors circulated yesterday that
the charge was TO be exceedingly sem
sationa1. Besides the lawyers and the
jurors there was a crowd OF people who
Z didn't appear to have any particular in
terest in the opening of the court out
side that of curiosity.
The first thing was to call the cases,
and upwards of an hour was consumed
In listening to the monotenous tones
of Clerk Joe OMara. reading the call
endar. This was interrupted by the en-
trance of the Grand Jury, escorted by
Sheriff Tofey.
SWEARING IN THE GRAND JURY.
Let the grand jurors stand around
the DESK said Justice Lippineott and
the lawyers had to take rear seats. When
the roll of the jurors was called by Clerk
E. Gritten Bible was handed to each
juror, and he took the oath administered
by the clerk, after which Justice Lippin-
cott, clearing his throat, began to read
"a voluminous charge.
As 1.-THE News" a few days ago fore
shadowed, the charge fairly bristied with
denunciations. In the opinion of old law
] yers present it was the strongest ever
delivered from that bench, and the pub
lie officials present were astenished. The
Boulevard, the City Hall Of Jersey City
and the Sunday liquor selling received
lengthy consideration from Justice Lip
;ncott, who declared ernphatically that
V time was fast approaching when it
:. sould be an issue between the Court
2 .nds the public officials and some one
souId have to go under.
EH,JOUNCING EXPENDITURES.
On the Boulevard expenses the Court
was f1rst sarcastic and then vehement in
holding up the enormous cost of that
road. He spent half an hour in enumer-
ating the money spent, bills paid and
bills remaining unpaid, together with the
expenses of the road. On other expendi-
lures for the county, the Court directed
the jury to make a searching and rigid
examination; and finally told the jury to
look into the theft of papers from the
Prosecutors office relative to the trial
Of the indicted members of the old Street
and Water Board.
THE CHARGE.
The charge in full is as follows
'sThe Court first directed the Grand
fury to. observe the oath which they had
lnst taken, which was. clear exposi-
ance of which would be a safe guide to
the faithful and impartial performance
Them While IN session a e oree m
mine whether an indictment shall be
presented the Grand Jury will take such
thesCourt. Mere heresay evidence is not
suhicie1it to found an Indictment upon
nas any 9ssn may Sc ssussn he as
put q Grand Jury upon inquiry, but that
gossip alone should not be made the basis
sumstances presented may be as strong
ln their convincing force and effect as
cs upon ana esaenee Yu
lctnated in the performance of his duties
e. op peTsonsa ha
political considerations. These can have
T,sror no influence or effect upon grand and
honestly To soerfor1n his duty.
"A list OF prisoners confined in jail
ire requested to consider these first in
oraer that the jail may be delivered. Dell
Rse not found may be discharged as
soon as possible, and that those who
may be indicted may have speedy trial.
'sfhe Cours calls the attention of the
Grand Jury to one homicide case, and
recomInends that an Indictment for muir
per of the first degree be presented by
not BEEN ary daare
IF guilt can be lxed by the traverse jury
HACKENSACK PLANK ROAD.
There exists running through this
county what is known as the Hackensack
the Hackensack Plankroad. and there
has been presented to the Board of
Chosen Freeholders complaints from the
Hoboken that this road is in condi-
ton unfit. and unsafe for public travel
that It is dangerous to life and limb
have taken official action requesting the
Board of Chosen Freeholders to take
snoh steps asd as may ~ De paer no 70 nags as
condition. Upon an examinatson Of the
matter we find that the Board of Chosen
Iosa ey are nays on n0 By Svir law
or Keep it in rerair 10 do 50 would b
charge and would subject sstle Board oi
s Chosen Fire eeaolders 70 indictment. The
communications which nave been pre-
sented to the Board will be handed te
you. We understand that this plank.
road or turnpike Is still legally owneo
by what Is known es The HacSenssel
Turnpike Company. which company has
LA Or asjFz .tieI, i has corpora te
officers who exercise jurisdiction and as.
sumo control over the road and who
claim that that corporation still owns
the road. Whether it was originally
lad upon a public road or not the co1lri
IS not able to say, and that may form 2
subject OF your investigation. And il
would also seem upon such examina
ton as the court has been able to give
the matters that the nic.paJ ties max
Ing these complaints have no jlrisdic tior
no right over that read whatever Thi
court desires you to investigate the con
d.tion of That road to ascertain whether
It has become a public nuisance ant
If ii has then those responsible for II:
condition are liable to Indictment. ou
whether in the first instance you Woult s,lt
10 SO for as that or whether you Woult
investigates, and present is a matter TO
your caILDREN' SS1sI5Ialsss! TO TO snake HILL.
.sThe State Charities Aid Assoclat-ol
Today is registry day. See thar you