New-York tribune., 1895-05-01
PRICE THREE CENTS
GOV. ALBEIT INVOLVED.
SOME STARTLING EVIDENCE.
EVA MANN HAD TO PAY $1,000 FOR HER
PARDON FROM STATE PRISON.
SHE WAS ALSO OBLIGED TO SECURE COUNSEL OF
THE GOVERNORS crOOsING-THE PARDON
CERTIFICATES FOR BALLOT-Box STUFF
ERs MADE OUT THREE DAYS BE-
FORE THE COURT ACTED OTHER
CORRUPTION UNEARTHED.

portant day In the experience OF the voorhees, In
yestigating Committee the evidence adduced De-
ing OF a highly sensational character and conclu-
sively proving that the old Democratic regime In
w-Jersey was rotten TO the core. From the Ex'
ecutive Department. under Governor Leon ~
bett to the janitor Of the State House, the ev.
dence is that thieving, thugism and blackmau
were the predominating characteristics No man.
apparently, sold anything to the State who was
not made to stand and deliver. Every man OF
shady reputation was kept, under threat. In the
harness OF the Democratic party, and a premium
was set upon balot-box stuffing and ruflianism.
pardons by the awaiting any who worked IN
Democracys cause and for de gang"
II was shown that Eva Mann Hamilton bougns
her way out Of State Prison for $1,000 or more.
cash in hand and the head of the State penal In"
stitution. John H. Patterson. swore that he was
requested to influence her to put up the money IN
the right quarter before she could secure her par
don. Governor Leon Albeit made this request.
He wanted ex-Controler William c. Heppen-
heimer Of Jersey City and New-York, to receive
the money. and the keeper showed PAID chec1
sor 81, 900 which Heppenheimer had received.
COURT OF PARDONS CORRUPT.
Nearly all the witnesses examined were unwill-
Ing to swear to what they knew TO be the truth
sured the committee they were reluctant Wit
nesses compelled to testify; and none told moro
than the counsellor forced from them IT was
shown that the COuss Of Pardons was a mere po-
ntical and money making institution run In the
interes, Of the Democratic machine and re"
chosen lawyers and members Of the court OK last
resort were smircheI.
The committee got down to business promptly
az 10 o'clock this morning and continued the ses-
sion until nearly o'clock. with recess only long
enough for luncheon. senator HERBERT Oh view
Brunswick was the only member absent "heu
the counsel for the committee exposed 'ns
method OF pardJning criminals from the S'a's
Prison late in the afternoon. the scene III t"s
Senate Chamber was most impressive MI cor
bin entered upon this subject by informing the
committee as to the law. showing tnat the |ou's
of Pardons in this State consisted OF the Go'-
ernor. the Chancellor and the six members OF mo
Court Of Errors and Appeals. But no pa/ion
could be granted without the approval OK tns
Governor.
Mr. Corbin said the evidence he INTENDED 70
submit to the committee was Of character re-
auiring great decacy IN handling put IL "as
also common scandal and proper for the commit
foo He nroduced the record OF the Court ox
pardons from the Secretary of States office. ana
showed that Edward d. Fox. executive clerk
had been clerk 10 the Board or Pardons ior
more than twenty years. II was Mr. foxs outy
ia keep The record OF all applications Tor paroon
mr. narole. the witness said. but the Secretary OF
state kept the minutes Mr.. Corbin proceeded 70
examine Mr. Fox. as follows:
EVA MANNS APPLICATION FOR PARDON.
"uave YOU the records Of the Governors office
~ the pardon Of Eva Mann. alleged wife OK
R,hert Raw Hamilton, convicted OF atrocious as
sault and battery on domestic in Atlantic
County,"
yes sir: have Here they are. This IS the
application. and is dated February 2l' $780,
What does 1t include,
Several petitions and protests for ana against
the pardonng OF Mrs. Hamilton. one petiuon
numerously signed favoring her pardon; peu'
ton signed by Mrs. Hamilton praying ior par'
don. and another petition signed by her counsel
ex-Judge william 7. Hoffman. and several am
davits. and a letter signed J. +. Hail. protesting
against the pardon
"Who appeared before the Board OF Pardons
for Eva Hamilton"
"Ex-Judge Hoffman"
"I zee ON this envelope in which you keep ths
recor,, under date Of March 10. 1880. Is the
word passed What does that mean?
THAT the pardon came up on that date ana
was not acted upon
Assistant Secretary Of State Alexander H.
Rickev was then called. He swore he had
acted as clerk Of the Pardon Board. but didn't
remember counsel appearing before them as
the sessions were always secret. He remem-
bercd the pardoning Of Eva Hamilton, VINO
IVA. convicted AMI sentenced for two years for
atrocious assault and battery on May Don"
pel,v The pardon was granted on November
90 1890.
els there any other record In this caser
asked Mr. Corbn
mo. sir" was the answer. and Mr.. Hickey
excused.
THE STATE PRISON kEEF IR'S TESTIMONY.
John H. Patterson head keeper OF the New
Jersey state Prison. then called. lie tolo
OF receiving the prisoner and Mr.. Corbin asked'
you remember Mrs. Hamilton's apphcation
for pardon In the spring OF lS9o?'
Il think she made application at every
session OF the board from the time OF her
commitment. Judge Hoffman and Coionei
Charles w. Fuller. OF BNonne. both Repuoli-
cans were her counsel
"You remember when she was pardoned, don'e
you?"
Yes sir: do. But. Mr. Corbih. you know
I am an unwilling witness. You know dont
want to testify here in this matter. would
rather attend to my own affairs"
Mr. Corbin said he was aware OF the truth
OF the statement and added that MIR. PattersoQ
had not volunteered a word. and had refused TO
divulge anything until he understood the con"
nections with what he would prove.
"who was Governor in 1902
Leon Albeit"
You remember being sent for by the ChisE
Executive OF the state about the time EVA
Hamilton applied FOR her pardonS!
Yes. sir; do"
mfr. Corbin." said Senator DAILY at this point,
the proceedings. does this apply to
anything between the witness and ex-Governos
~
1T does. yes. SIR replied Mr. Corbin sharply. 1
SENATOR DAILY PROTESTS.
Then. gentlemen" said Senator DAILY soemnlys
II wish to enter my protest. l don't want 70