New-York tribune., 1896-05-04
CHARGES WILL BE PROBED.
A SCANDAL IN THE NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP
COMMITTEE.
ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY CAUSE THE ACCUSED
MAN TO BE DROPPED FROM THE ROLLS
OF cHuRcH-AN INvEsTIGA-


MAN TO BE DROPPED FROM THE ROLLS
OF cHURcH-AN INvEsTIGA-
TIoN DEMANDED.
Asbury Park May (SpeciaD.-The charges %
bribery recently preferred by Township COMMITTEES
man Applegate against his colleague. Thomas q.
Gravatta, who is the president Of the committee
are to be investigated.
Applegate at a meeting OF the committee held .
fortnight ago openly charged that Gravatta. while
acting as Chief OF the Township Police Force. com.
PEELED the officers to give him S per month In order
to retain their positions. Gravatta denied the accu-
sation. Appegate insisted that his statement was
true. whereupon Gravatta turned upon him and
gave him severe beating. Applegate Is still. nurs
Ing a pair Of black eyes. one OF the results OF the
disgraceful fight. He then had a warrant issued
for Gravattas arrest. charging him with assault
and battery. The belgerent committeeman was
apprehended and placed under bonds for a hearing.
which Is scheduled for this week
The committee met again last Friday. when Conn
mtteeman Hulsart submitted resolution provd-
ing that the charge Of bribery preferred by Apple
gate against Gravatta be investigated officially
Applegate opposed the resolution. and said that toe
much prominence had already been given the mat
ter. Husar demanded that the resolution 10
adopted. but APPRECIATE refused to second the
motion Gravatta. who occupied the chair. would
not entertain IL. Hulsart however, succeeded In
having his resolution spread upon the minutes.
The next day the local press denounced both men
for killing the resolution and demanded that the
officials either agree to an investigation or resign
from the Township Committee. Applegate and Graz
vatta Republicans. and they are members. too
Of the Republican Township Executive Committee
The political organization held special meeting
Saturday evening Appegate and Gravatta were
present. Lysander f. Watson. the Republican
leader Of Neptune Township was one Of the speak
He referred to the charge Of bribery made
against Gravatta and said that the interests OF the
community and the Republican party demanded
that Grayatta and Applegate should agree 10 nave
a thorough investigation. In case OF refusal they
should be requested TO resign by the Republican
held by majority of the committee. and Gravatta
and Appegate reluctantly agreed TO vote Tor an
Committee. The Executive Committee then adopted
by unanimous vote the following resolution:
Republican party OF Neptune Township hereby de-
mands complete investigation OF the alleged cor,
that the result Of such investigation shall be made
public"
Gravatta has been member OF the West GROVE T
pastor the Rev. j. Hoffman Eaten, this morning
publicly announced that Gravaitas name had been .
dropped from the roll OF membership at his own
request. The accused official was, howeyer. COM
pefed to take this step by the pastor This after
and Neptune Township held in Educational
Hall There were nearly 1000 people present seven
clergymen were seated on the stage lnc NeS. -
Hoffman Ba,ten presided and addresses were made
by the Revs. Peter Stryker, H. Clark Martin, J.
W.AIee and Batten.
The NEE ting BY rising vote adopted resolutions
similar TO those passed by the Republican Executive
Committee, demanding that Gravatta and Appiegate
submit TO an investigation Of the bribery scandal
have in their possession afdsvits from members OF
the township police force 10 the effect that they
paid s. per month 10 township official for pro-
lection. 1t Is also said that one Of the Committee
men has received tips from contractors who fur-
nished the township with broken stone. The In
vestigation. they say. will be thorough.