The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-16
RAPPELYt' BALk,
Wild Speculation About the
Court House Over His
Refusal to Testify.
COURT WILL C0ERCE HIM
Foreman Allan MeDermott of
the Grand Jury Files
Affldayits.
SIGNS OF A TRYING ORDEAL
The Journals" Editor Tells
Friend That His Sleuths Will
Be On Hand Tomorrow.
SIGNS OF A TRYING ORDEAL

The refusal of Mr.. Elbert Rappelye,
managing editor of the Journal to give
the Grand Jury any information about
the charges his paper has made against
Assistant Prosecutor Joseph M. Noonan
and Lawyer Alexander Simpson, created
quite a sensation yesterday afternoon
When THE News got on the street and
people read the story, comments We're
freely made. The question was asked if
the Journal had the facts it claimed
to have in its possession, why should the
managing editor hesitate to lay them be-
fore the Grand Jury. Another subject of
comment was the failure of the Journal
men, who, it is alleged, led Mr.. Noonan
and Mr.. Simpson into a trap, to appear
before the Grand Jury. Subpoenas had
been issued for them, but they failed to
materialize. The consensus OF public opin-
ion seemed to be that there is posSi-
bility OF the journal having purchased
a gold brick.
In accordance with the request of JUS
tlce Lipplncott, in his charge to the Grand
Jory on Tuesday, that BODY proceeded at
once 10 investigate the 'iJournaPs'
charges. In order TO make thorough and
proper investigation the managing editor
and every person connected with that
paper who was supposed TO know any
thing about the charge. was subpoenaed
yesterday TO tell the Grand Inquest what
he knew. 1t was taken for granted, OF
course, that the Journal people would
be not only willing but anxious TO submit
al the information in their possession III
order that justice might be done to every
body concerned.
II was an astounding surprise, there
fore, when Mr.. Rappelye, the first wit
ness called, absolutely refused to answer
the questions put to him. AS told IN "The
News yesterday, Foreman MeDermott
asked the witness to disclose the name of
The alleged jury fixer' mentioned in the
Journal" story. He refused, and when
he persisted in that refusal the investiga-
tlun was blocked at the very outset.
The Grand Jury had no alternate but to
appeal TO the Court Headed by Fore
man McDermott, the members proceeded
10 the Supreme Court room Justice Lip
pIncott and Judges HudSpeth and NeviuS
were on the bench. Judge Nevius, of
course, had no jurisdiction in the case, but
was there merely as a spectator
Mr.. McDermott laid the facts before the
Court and suggested that as Mr.. Rap
pelye had proved to be a recalcitrant wit
ness, the Court should assist the Grand
Jury in procuring the evidence necessary
to prosecute the investigation.
After consulting with Judge Hudspeth,
Justice LiDpincott said that the Court did
not desire 10 exercise any undue haste in
gested that the proper procedure would
be for the Prosecutor OF the Pleas to sub
NIT a statement to the Court in order that
the facts might go upon the record, and
then the Court could determine what to
do.
Mr.. McDermott suggested that as the
have special counsel assigned to the
Grand Jury for the purpose.
Inc Court agreed with Mr.. McDermott.
Former Judge William T. Hoffman was
spoken of; but when it was remembered
that he has been associated in business
for some time with Alexander Simpson,
his name was dropped out of considera-
ton. Justice Lipincott and Judge Hud-
speth consulted together again and it was
decided to appoint William NJ Klink Later
Mr. McI}prmOtt submitted an a a
to the Court reciting the facts in the
case and he will ask the Court TO grant a
rule to compel Mr.. Rappelye to answer
or else show cause why he should not be
committed for contempt.
The Grand Jury will meet again tomor-
row afternoon, and the Journal people
have been Subponaed. During the time
the Grand Jury was in Court yesterday
afternoon, Mr.. Rappelye remained in
their room down stairs. People, who saw
him when he came out, say that he look
ed as if he had passed through a very
trying ordeal.
Rumors of all kinds are floating around.
One was to the effect that Prosecutor
Winfield was about to take a trip South
on account of his impaired health and
that he had requested former Judge Hof-
man to act as Prosecutor during his alb
sence. Like many of the other rumors,
this one proves to be without founda
ton. Mr.. Winfield would like to go South
but under the existing circumstances he
feels that ne must remain at his post.
He has not asked, nor has he thought of
asking. Judge Hoffman to act as Prose
cutor Judge Hoffman, on his part, de-
sires it to be understood that he has
never been in partnership with Mr..
Simpson. Mr.. Simpson, he says, simply
occupies desk room in his office and helps
to pay the rent.
Mr. Rappelye told somebody before he
left the Court House, yesterday after
Noon, that Edward Pidgeon and Louis
Beck. the men whom he hired to induce
Atessrs. Noonan and Simpson to commit
the crime the journal alleges they did
commit will be op hand tomorrow after
noon to go beforA the Grand Jury.
The motion for Va rule to show cause
slsy Mr.. Rappelye should not be COM
laift0d for contempt was to be made by
ffr iSlink before Justice Lippincott this
afternoon.
The special committee of the Hudson
County Bar Association appointed to in
Nestigate the charges against ex-Assistant
Prosecutor J. w. Noonan and Lawyer
Alexander Simpson, met this morning at
Mr.. Washington B. Williams office in the
Provident Institution of Savings Bank
Building. The committee organized and
elected Mr.. Williams President. OF course
10 information could be gained as to
their proceedings, but, as sThe News"
taid day or two ago, the committee will
net Independently of the Grand jury and
Lake testimony on their own behalf.