New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-14
THE PASSAIC COUNTY GRAND JURY.
MUCH COMPLAINT AEcUT THE LENGTH OF THE
PRESENT SESSION.

The report of the Passaic County Grand jury
which is supposed among other things to contain
an Indictment against Lay Judge Alfred A Van
Hovenberg, has not yet been presented 10 inc
court on account of the illness Of Justice Hopper.
The latter is still confined 10 his home, ana from
present indications will be unable to resume ms
duties for some time yet. Meanwhile there is much
speculation in Paterson to what the inqusitoral
body will have TO say about the city officials ana
sundry officers of the county who are popularity
believed be tainted by corruption or mafeasance
in office
Whate>er the report of the Grand jury may
bring forth. there is doubt that the eXtraordi-
narily long session and apparent slowness OF the
Grand Jury have provoked great deal of comment
in the city. When the body was sworn in on sep
TENDER l. there were nearly 1900 cases 10 be con-
sidered. OF these nearly 1850 have been invest-
gated and 500 cases. sent up from justice courts
are yet on the books. The Grand Jury sits only
three hours day. and at the present rate there
remains enough TO do to keep the jury steadily at
work for nearly sixty days longer. While there is
no doubt that many matters OF Importance have
engaged the attention Of the Grand jury II IS
thought by many that the members have taken an
unnecessary amount OF time TO accomplish their
work.
Paterson yesterday. the members of the Grand
Jury served without pay They then went into SEES
sion at 10 o'clock and worked until D. with an IN
PERMISSION of an hour for luncheon. Since they
have been earning s. day they seem 10 have
turned their thoughts from work 10 salary grab
bling and the result is that sessions are snort and
the terms longer The present Grand Jury has sat
fifty odd days and the twenty-five men have
thus cost nearly $500. Besides that there the
fees Of an exceedingly large number of witnesses
at so cents day. and the fees or the Sheriff, VINO
obtains % cents for each witness he summons
Thus the Grand jury has cost Passaic County an
UNPRECEDENTED amount OF money, and the people
are anxious TO learn what has been accomplished
The impression that an indictment has been
found against the owners OF The property
occupied by Deutschen's saloon, is gaining
of a reconsideration OF the vote. AS might
be expected the officials who have knowledge of
the work OF the Grand Jury refuse 10 talk but
another Grand Jury man has been found who was
willing to say that the reports concerning Judge
Van Hovenberg We're. in the main, true and that
policemen and firemen had paid for their places
failed most dismaly, ne said. and in this particular
the Board OF Aldermen were undoubtedly beyond
suspicion.
The rumor that fremen had paid for places grew
ii Is reported. out of trivial incident that hap
citizen who assisting the Fire Department.
turned to a Councilman and said: Don't you think
I'd make a good fireman.? The Alderman laugh
ingly replied: We'll II you have 500 to spend
might get you the Department" Subsequently
the man applied for the place, and the Alderman
The Hess case. which caused the inquiry into the
manner in which policemen obtained their posi-
lions showed that no money had been paid TO
member OF the Council. Hess too poor
pay even a sixth of the sum alleged the amount
OF the bribe. No indictments in that direction may
be looked for.
Unless Justice Lppincott should determine to
receive the report OF the Grand Jury, IL is likely
that the present term will extend until January TO-
at least.