The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-16
YOUNG KBARNY'S Woes
In Solitary Confinement in
the County Jail, Though
Accused of No Crime.
FEARS HIS FATHERS GUARDIANSHIP
Denial That He Is an lnebrlate
or a Citizen of New Jersey
Marquise de Kernels
Fight.
FEARS HIS FATHERS GUARDIANSHIP

LAWYER William Speer will make an
other effort before Judge Hudspeth in the
Hudson County Orphans Court tomorrow
morning to secure the release of John
Watts Kearny, Jr., from the Tucson
County Jail. where he has been confined
for over two months by order OF the
Chancellor on the application of General
John Watts Kearny.
LAWYER William H. Corbin will ask
Judge Hudspeth to appoint a guardian Tor
young Kearny. Lawyer Speer will oppose
this and ask that Judge Hudspeth defer
action until such time as the Court OF
Appeals passes on the merits OF the Cnan-
ceilor's decision that the young man IS an
habitual inebriate. Lawyer CorDln VIII
insist on the appointment OF General
kearny as guardian of his son. falilns
in his effort to secure a delay in the APP
pointment of a guardian Lawyer Speer
will ask that Kearny be sent to the o1ate
Insane Asylum and not be entrusted 10
the care of his father.
Young Kearny says he is now in soltary
confinement. Up TO a few days ago ms
aunt, the Marquise de Kernel, was per
mitted to see him, but Sheriff Heller, mas
now issued orders prohibiting her from
meeting her nephew. He has Done tnis,
Marquise struggled in some liquor TO
young Kearny. Madame de Kernel denies
this statement emphatically and declares
that it is merely a ruse to KEEP. the young
man from communicating with the only
friend who is working for his release. A
reporter for THE News" e~ndeavored 10
interview the prisoner but was unsuc-
cesSful in gaining access to him, put ne
managed to secure an interview-Ihis he
did by having Lawyer Speer ak with ms
client over the telephone. While Kearny
was on the phone the reporter spoke to
him and asked him if he had anything to
say regarding his Imprisonment; he re-
piled that he was kept in solitary con-
m hat he was suffering greatly
from want of exercise.
How do you feei?" asked the re-
porter.
GAS well as a man could who is used to
riding 40 miles a day and VINO mas peen
cooped up in a small room for two months
with insufficient air and no means for ex-
ercise. 1t would take an iron constftu-
ton to stand such treatment without
not wish to fall into the hands of my
father nor have him say in what 1nstltu-
ton 1 should be onfined If he put me
in a private asylum of his choice l would
not be sure of ever being released from
it. He put me in an asylum in France,
and / only escaped with the aid OF the
american Consul. If / must go to an asy-
1um l want to go at the expense and I'M
Z der the care of the State, and feel that l
will be accorded proper and just treat
The Marquise de Kernel instructed Law
yer Speer to exert every effort in his pow
er to secure the release of her nephew.
She was to have sailed for Franc on the
next steamer, but will remain and watch
the proceedings. In conversation with a
NEWS ISQDIItI last uISll 0liC
II never heard of such unjust treat
ment being accorded a human being.
Such a thing could not happen in France.
"Why, that boy has been in solitary con-
finement for two months. They wont
even let me see him now. They accuse
me of smuggling liquor to hin; 1t IS
an untruth, 1 never did such a thing, and
they know it. 1t is all the work of that
woman up at the jail who is paid by my
brother. If my brother were a poor man
this thing could not have happened. Chan
cellor McGill told me that Johnnie could
not stay in the jail one day at the expense
of the State. He would be set free to-
morrow if his father did not pay board
for him. The Chancellor also told me that
his father is the only one who could be
afford to pay -his~expenses in an institution
and furnish bonds for his keeping.
Johnny doesn't Want Zig to s set t. into ito ms Is
the charity of the State and be placed in
a public asylum.
LAS for my part in the matter there
cannot be anything personal in my in
reference. 1t is a mater OF justice with
me. Has a man, any man, the right to
neglect his son until he is twenty-eight
years of age, then have him suddenly
seized, locked up in Jail, when,the father
pays board for him to be in solitary con-
finement without fresh air or exercise, for
over two months? Car t~hesfather have a
trial organized against this son, whom
he has had incarceratcd without friends
or money, or communication with the out
side world except with those who are to
witness against him. Can it be thought
righteous for three committeeman.
twenty-four jurymen. and witnesse to
condemn q man twenty-eight years old Of
habitual Drunkenness without that man
shavingS Il counsel or q witness in his
sfavor,t the attorreysof the father acting for
several hours as prosecuting attorney,
directing the question so as TO drag the
poor accused son to the earth? Can it be
Just for The father to be named guardian
over thar son after having him confined
in Jail and tried with such injustice before
having absolute power over him, not see
ing that he has books, clothes or
delicacies, treating him as a criminal?
"And yet the Chancellor said the young
man could only be in prison because
his father paid board for him. The Cham
cellor of New Jersey also said that it
would be necessary ito name Mr.. Kearny
as guardian, for he might refuse to pay
the expenses after the man of twenty
eight had been condemned to an asylum.
If, therefore, the Court is not able to have
the mans expenses paid by the State.
how. can the Court condemn him to be
shut up? This REAL Afacts are these
It was arranged THAI Mr.. Kearney, Jr.,
should be shnt up without any defence.