New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-26

tanned in office by Commissioner Willis. All Of
the defendants appeared before County Judge
| Asphalt and gave bail except Milne and Leay-
craft These two were around the Courthouse
during the day.
The delay in returning the indictments seemed
10 he due to the difficulty Of connecting the Con-
trolers office with the transactions. It was not
until Thursday evening that the alleged con-
nection Of Jensen was discovered. The indict
ments were then drawn. The Grand Jury en-
tered the County Court at II o'clock yesterday.
The foreman, Thomas Edwards. handed the
batch OF indictments to Judge Aspinall.
THE jury, Your Honor have completed their
labors They wish now TO adjourn until Mon
day" said Assistant District-Attorney John F.
Clarke.
The request granted. and the turymen
fled out. There a large crowd in the jury
ROOM and they waited patiently for further de-
velopments. The news Of the indictments trav-
eled fast. because lawyers for the indicted men
began coming into the District-Attorneys Of
fee at once 10 inquire about bail.
sURETIES FOR WILLIS AND PHILIPS.
Messrs. Willis and Phillips appeared before
Judge Aspinall at / p. m. They had been In
dicted Jointly for conspiracy. Cornelius Don
Mellon. president Of the D. & NJ. Chauncey
Real Estate Company. and Joseph II. Wills
father Of Theodore b. Wills are on the bond
Of the former Commissioner. Mr.. Philps's
sureties are William II. Hazard. president OF
the Fulton Bank and William II. Harrison. Mr.
Willis looked depressed. When asked about his
Indictment he said
II can merely say that when the announce
ment came to me this morning that had been
indicted by the Grand Jury. It the
casion, I am free 70 admit OF very great
prise my part. I am conscious OF no possible
thing during my administration OF the affairs
OF the City Works Department that was done in
a manner which would invite the slightest
sure In SO far personally related to any
thing which might have happened. ] an wholly
innocent OF any wrongdong. This l declare
most emphatically The Indictment against me
is unjust and in the nature OF wicked persecu-
ton. 1t should be borne In mind that the
stands to-day II is ex parte and entirely
one sided"
When asked II he intended to resign Police
Commissioner Mr.. Philips said:
Most emphatically not. You may state that
very positively. have committed crime. and
why should 1 resign? don't intend to do any
such thing but I shall fight this case as soon
as get a chance
All Of the defendants will be arraigned on
Monday morning. They kept dropping into the
courtroom all the afternoon. and gave bail as
follows: Mr. Clark was admitted to bail in the
sum Of 5000 his sureties being his wife Ior-
eta +. Clark. and his sister. Mrs Henrietta
Baird Oscar Knapp gave bonds for $500.
$500 and 5000. under the three indictments.
and John Meffert. real estate. Of No. 80 Rut-
ledge-st.. was the surety. Fielding gave the
same bonds with John II. Rowland a livery
man, at No. 41G De Kalb-ave. and William NJ
Calder, a contractor Of No AIS Thirteenth-st.
sureties Fielding nervous and red In
the face while in the courtroom COTS bond
was 5000, and his bondsmen were Charles NJ.
Newins of No. CSC Nadison-st.. and William
a. Cooper. OF No. 81 Seventh ave. James /.
Jensen went on a. L. Jensen's $1,000 bond
Albert l.. Lamb and De Lancy NicoIl have
been retained by Messrs willis and Phillips NJ
L. Towns will defend Milne. ex-JuGge Clements
appears for Knapp. Charles J. Patterson is at
tOrney for Fielding John VI. Ward will defend
Jensen. and William Watson Clark
AS Tribune readers are well aware these IN
dctments are founded upon contracts for COW
ering with earth exposed water mains in Nep-
tune East NewYork and New Utrecht ayes
during the last sixty days Of Theodore b. Will |
lls's administration Of the City Works Depart
ment. which came 10 n close with December 81. |
1895
GROUNDS OF INDICTMENT.
on the ground that fhIa yas