The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-05-11
UPHELD THE POLICE
Potts Did Not Re-
' & Much Evidence to
find Mrs. Herr
mann Guilty,
YOU'VE BOYS SUFFICIENT
lor Black Says the Matter
BE Further Investigated
Sentence Suspended.

Bom was at premium. Curiosity seek
ers were anxious to get a glimpse of
pfr Hermann, and incidentally at his
wife and her pretty maid. Justice Potts
placed his private office at the disposal
of the ladies. Mrs. Hermann was attfr-
ed in a black tailor made suit, and car
ried in her arm pretty little black and
tan dog. Her maid sat beside her while
her husband and several witnesses oc-
cupied seats inside the railing.
Counsellor Charles Black was retained
for the defence. He made hard fight
for an acquittal, but the Court adjudged
the prisoner guilty, and suspended SEN
tence Policeman Bleume went on the
stand first He testified that he had re-
ceived instructions TO be on the lookout
for suspects crossing the ferry with a
bundle or bundles, as the Salvation Army
Barracks on Sackett street had been
robbed Joseph Baker, Mrs. HERMANN s
colored servant was the first man to
cross the ferry with a bundle Bleume
said that he accosted him, saying,
"Yeung man. wait a moment, I want to
see you.' He alleged that Baker con-
tinued on his way. Bleume saluted him
again and asked him quietly what he
had in the bundle. The colored mans re-
ply was. none of your damn business -
BLEUNlE'S CONSIDERATION.
At this juncture Bleume said he took
hold of Bakers hand and was question
ing him when Mrs. Hermann appeared
on the scene. seized him by the collar,
and attempted to pull him away.
Bieume declares that he asked her who
She was, and before replying she struck
him in the face. and, while attempting TO
strike him a second time, said:-"I am
Mrs. Hermann. and that man is my SER
want. In conclusion, he testified that
the crowd that had collected became ex-
cited. as much SO as did the principals.
check from a scratch ne had received
from the hands of Mrs. Herman, and in
esc9itsd aer to the First precinct sta
ton house, where his charge of assault
was ertertained by Sergeant Hopkins.
rated 2ieume's testimony. Hermann
Cou;s: another newsboy, gave similar
testimony. When asked If he knew
YES. Hher. asked if he knew where he
'Isa., but |, don't like to say, but it
isl. heaven"
..ro %. You ike ohieer Bleume?'' :.
NRs. HERRMANN,s SIDE.
testfssd that Tfe.n She G saw her servant servant
ed Up 10 him and explained vino She
N1S anu WHO the -cOlOTeQ man Was. she
declared that Bleume seized her roughly
by the right wrist and hauled her
around behind him. She believes that it
was, during his rough treatment that she
used her opened hand to try to push
him away from her. She testified that
she asked him to release his hold upon
her wrist as he was hurting her. He
still retained his grasp on her Man
.ager Bloom. who happened TO be near
acted like rufiian and treated Mrs.
Hermann cruelty. He. said the officer
was excited and acted like a crazy man.
He ordered Bleume, he said, to let go
OF Mrs. Herrmann's wrist and alleges
that he was told to mind his business
or he would be arrested. Miss Laura
Cupid corroborated the testimony of the
foregoing witnesses. Mr.. Cupid and Mr.
Hermann testified to the unnecessary
admitted that he believed the officers
intentions were all right in doing his
duty, but he maintained that he should
have exercised little decency and judg-
ment in dealing with a lady.
Justice Potts. in deciding the case,
said that the officer was one of the old
est and best on the force, and bears a
good reputation. He said he regretted
the the, occurrence. o3S and was sure the officer
{, decision. Mr.. Hermann was not sat
isfied with the ruling of the Court, and
without moments hesitation he caused
his wife to prefer charges of unnec-
essary violence and conduct unbecom-
ing an OFFICER before Inspector .Lange.
Bieume viii now haye to explain the case
WILL FOLLOW IT UP.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hermann, thoroughly in
declare an outrageous attack, viii pursue
this matter to the utmost limits per
mitted by law.
dress: Filing charges against the police
man with the Police Commissioners; pre-
and suit at law for damages against
public. All of these Mr.. and Mrs Herr
mann viii take, and one course has al
N 67rrif7 O
charges before the Police Commission
I'VE will spend money to punish this
brutal outrage, remarked both complain
ants, land we have instructed Counselor
sGharlss sa &, g Black to begin proceedings
In conversation Mr. Black told a
News" representative that the officer
bundle, oyerstepped his duty by unneces-
sary rough handling of Mrs. Hermann
h dd know & o sam n
of the evidence that the boys and the
crowd generally at the ferry were shout.
ing, There goes the Herrmanns.''
to go to the police station without any
Herrmann's arm rudely. In trying to ex.
tricate herself. from the officers rough
t The oeer to eveh f hs aee 3
know the names of the parties, could moi
mistake them for dishonest persons, who
when he stopped them, would have fled al
once
Summing up, Mr.. Black said that the
verdict should have been not guilty a.
the police court. and from all the sur
rounding circumstances added to ths
clear testimony of Mr.. and Mrs. Herr
mann. the conduct of Christopher Bleum,
was scandalous
BUT THEY DON'T
An officer is always supposed to exercis
discretion in stopping passengers, ant
there is no excuse to offer rudeness t.
women, even when heNis bound to exc
cute the order.
AS an instance of police stupidity SOM
time ago Mr.. Willard C. Fish, when prf
vate secretary to Governor Abbott, wa
stopped at night carrying the Governor
message and the private secretary wa
subjected to much annoyance by the off
GERS thick-headed conduct.
Another illustration of similar char
acter occurred year ago when Green
vile policeman stopped a 'sSun" and
Jersey City News reporter. The office
knew both gentlemen well, but stopped
them because. as he said. sshe felt lilzl
It, and what are you going to do abou
a News reporter again saw Mr.
Hermann at the Academy of Music thi
afternoon. He was very indignant a
Justice Potts decision and said that hi
did not propose to let the matter rest
He would carry it through and see tha
Policeman Bleume was punished for hi
brutal conduct to his wife, II 1t cost hin