Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-08-11
Tender Hearted Jersey Justice.

| Tender Hearted Jersey Justice
j Under the above caption, the Ledger de-
scribes criminal proceeding that occurred
at Glassboro last week, as follows -
"The arrest on Tuesday evening, OF
! living HibIer, formerly manager Of the
defunct Clayton, Gassboro and Pitman
Grove Electric Light and Power Company,
has shed light on peculiar business trans
action in which Joseph WrigIey, an in
dustfious carpet weaver of Glassboro, was
made the victim. According to the story
as related by Wrigley he purchased a
piece Of land from Hibler, which the latter
alleged was the property of the company
he represented. The purchase price was
$3.50, and Wrigley paid down $50, and an
agreement was drawn up between the two
men which specified that if at the expira-
ton of ten days the sale was not confirmed
| by Joseph Cook, the President of the
Company, the money would be refunded
Wrigley waited the ten days and heard
nothing nor received any deed for the
property. 1t then transpired that the land
he had purchased was not owned by the
electric light company. and that he had
been swindled out OF $50. A warrant was
| issued for Hibler's arrest several weeks
ago but he was not apprehended until
| Tuesday night, when officer Campbell
located him at Sea Isle City and placed
him under arrest. He was given pre-
liminary hearing before Justice Seabroook
on Wednesday morning, and admitted his
guilt, but pleaded for time to settle the
case. The Justice leniently allowed him
until 2 o'clock in the afternoon to make
good the loss sustained by the complain
ant, when the accused was given another
hearing and made satisfactory reparation,
after which he was dismissed
There is ample precedent right in this
county for the E1itoT-Justi .e's leniency
A little over ye ago it was discovered
that a treasurer of certain city located in
this county was retaining public moneys
and CONVERTING them to his own use. A
hasly examination by Council disclosed
several hundred dollars AS rapidly as
discovered, the obliging Treasurer dis
gorged. An expert accountant was then
put on the books, and a further shortage
of upwards of $500 was discovered. the
amounts covering the full term of the
Treasurer's incumbency. This was prompt
ly passed up" Ia pre- entiug the experts
report. Council specifically stated that
this report was not to be considered final,
as there were futher amounts due the
city. In the face of this, Tender
Hearted Jersey Justice" set a precedent
which the Glassboro Editor-Justice has
followed.
Again. "A certain prominent county
official organized Town Lot enterprise.
and induced his friends to join, and pay in
their MONEY. Alter the corporation was
legally formed, the President, who was the
promoter of the enterprise, was authorized
to buy land Afterward the members Of
the corporation discovered that its Pres
ident had paid less amount, by many
thousand dollars, than he professed to
them to have paid. This bunco steerer
was sent to Congress- and even after the
Courts had decreed he should pay back his
unholY profits, is again made the nominee
of his party for that exalted represent alive
Office
With these facts fresh in his mind,
Justice Seabrook probably recognized in
Irving Hibler Republican who, as the
Constitution says, was forging to the
'front.'" and likely to become power in
keeping Democrats out of Office" on whom
to visit the penalty of the law for his
wrongs against society would be abuse of
au efficient party WORKER
Editor Seabrook keeps solid with his
party, even though Justice weeps.