New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-06
THE ALDERMEN RESPONSIBLE
JUDGE HOPPER CHARGES THEM WITH
MALFEASANCE
PATTERSON STIRRED by a rRONTNcIAMENTO On
SUNDAY sALOONs-Two WoMENs PLEAS

PATTERSON STIRRED by A rRoNU NcIAMENTo on
SUNDAY sALooNs-Two woMEN's PLEAS
FOR MERCY GRANTED.
Paterson, June s (SpecaD.-Judge John Hopper
In the Passaic County Court OF Quarter Sessions
to-day delivered a scathng arraignment OF the Pat
erson Board OF Aldermen charging them with NAL
feasance in Office in permitting open and fragrant
violations of the Sunday CLOSING law. Six prisoners
had been called for sentence whose crimes re-
suited from indulgence in liquor sunday. Thomas
Murker and Richard Rtchey had been convicted OF
atrocous assault and battery and were before the
Bar for sentence. Two weeping women, the wife
of one prisoner and the gray-haired mother OF the
other one kneit before the venerable Judge, pit
cously pleading for mercy Judge Hopper intimai eel
that the sentence had given him more trouble than
any other in his fifteen years experience on the
Bench.
The true responsibility for this crowdlng OF the
criminal courts at every term rests with the Board
of Aldermen Of the City of Paterson" he said.
Every Alderman in Office IL aware that the Sunday
closing law is generally and openly violated. They
know that liquor IS sold to every passing customer
This has been brought time and again in sworn
testimony before this Court. Not only is liquor sold
over the bar. but beer-kettes in constant cir
culation from saloons in the tenement
districts carried by children who pass the vigilant
policeman his beat without the slightest fear
of detection punishment.
III the Aldermen should choose enforce the law
there would be difficulty. The police on duty
know that saloon pr prietors openly violating
the law, but they working under a most peculiar
idea, originated by the application OF rule Of the
department which forbids officer duty from
entering a saloon under penalty OF dismissal Tho
Aldermen and police claim that this prevents thcir
obtaining necessary evidence. Even though they
know this rule exists, It is well understood by every
intelligent citizen that a policeman who knows 4
saloon be open for business Is bound go in and
stop the violation Of law with the same energy and
zeal he might employ in case OF murder or rob
berry. This rule is a simple subterfuge seized upon
TO cloak and crime. IT mover framed for
such purpose.
The Aldermen have power 10 stop this continued
lawbreaking. II they wish to naugurate policy.
let them make an example OF tho men who arc re-
peatediy called before the police court and fined to
open next Sunday usual 1t Is their duty 10 take
cognzancc OF cases reported where II IL proven by
sworn testimony that liquor has been sold on Sun
day and 10 revoke these licenses Here standing
before me- Is the direct result OF their official
lect. Both young men. with wife and
day liquor made them brutal. II tho court should
do It's whole duty they would be sent 10 state
Prison. Sevcr-tcnths of our mechanics arc cajoed
into placing their hard-earned wages into the sun
day tavern till The Court cannot help hearing the
prayer OF the innocent mothers wives and children.
who not TO blame. They are the real sufferers.
The court will suspend sentence"
When Judge Hopper ended. burst OF applause
rang through the courtroom. but was sternly re-
pressed The address o: the Court has created
much comment and is generally Endorsed.