The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-15

At two o'clock this afternoon the Grand
Jury began the investigation into the
charges against Assistant Prosecutor
Noonan and Alexander Simpson. The first
witness they called was Mr.. Rapelye, the
managing editor of the Evening Jour
nal" He admitted that he was the
sole author of the story in Satur-
day nights Journal but refused alb
solutely to answer any further ques-
tions and saying that to do so would
defeat the object which the journal" had
in view. The Grand Jury then filed into
court, and laying Mr.. Rapelyes refusal
before Judge Lippincott, asked that the
editor be committed for contempt and
that special counsel be assigned to help
the jury in it's deliberations.
Judge Lippincott appointed Former
Judge William t. Hoffman to assist Act
ing Assistant Prosecutor Klink and gave
Mr. Rappelye twenty-four hours in which
to consider whether to answer the jury's
questions.
Later Judge Lippincott remembered that
Judge Hoffman was Mr.. Simpsons law
partner and he rescinded his appointment
and left Mr. Klink the sole counsel to
the Grand Jury. The Grand Inquest then
reassembled in their room and summoned
MIR. Rapelye again appeared before
Them After being in session about
half hour the jury adjourned to Friday
1t was said that they obtained from
Rapelve the information sought and will
make presentment to the Court tomor-
row.
When the news of Mr.. Rapelye's atti-
tude spread about the Court House, there
were general expressions of amazement
and disgust. While the more conserva-
tive men shook their heads and expressed
proceeding there were many who rushed
to the conclusion that the Journal was
weakening, and there were signs of a re-
action in favor of the accused.
The new Grand Jury is today investi-
eating the charge of bribery and mis-
conduct in office against ex-Assistant
Prosecutor Joseph M. Noonan and Lawyer
Alexander Simpson. A large number of
witnesses have been called and it is ex-
pected that the foreman will have some
thing to communicate to the Court to-
morrow.
In the event of dill being found on
the counts mentioned in Justice Lippin-
colts charge of yesterday the prosecu-
ton of the accused lawyers will be en-
trusted to Attorney General Samuel D.
Grey. Prosecutor Winfield is a very sick
man and unable to bear the strain. For
this reason, it is said, the Court will re-
quest the Attorney General to undertake
tho task.
The special committee of the Hudson
County Bar Association appoiE ted to con-
slider the case, Messrs. Washington b.
Williams, James y. VIedenburgh, Charles
W. Parker. Rsnder ]. Wortendyke and
Charles c. BLACK, will not as some say
await the resulI of the Grand Inquests
action, but will conduct separate in
quiry. One connected with the associa-
ton said today
s.The Supreme Court before whom a
motion for disbaTment must be made,
does not in a matter like this even
recognize an Indictment or even q con-
vicfion You will understand this by re-
calling the case of Lawyer Howard the
pension lawyer, now in the Hudson
County jail Although he had been in
would not ~lsten to motion to disbar
dicted and convicted the Supreme Court
him. Instead testimony was ordered to
be taken and that was done few days
ago AT the next term the motion Will
be renewed and we expect decision dis
barring him.
Similar proceedings then will be follow
ed in the case of Noonan and Simpson.
w made the charges Will