The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-31
FREEBOOTER PLEAD
All say Not Guilty and
Hugh Dugan and
'Christy Smith
GO Bail.
vERDoN DID NOT APPEAR
He Was Relying on The Agrees
meDt 10 Plead ON
Next Monday.
vERDoN DID NOT APPEAR

H@tN
The Freebooters, except verdon, were
arraigned this morning. pleaded not
guilty to the two indictments against
them and were admitted to bail in the
sum of $500 on each Indictment. County
Collector Dugan and County Superinten-
dent c. P. Smith IA a joint bond for all
of them.
Prosecutor Erwin said yesterday that
the ~arraignment would take place on Mon
day next. and it was so understood, but
since then the Freebooters have arrived
at the conclusion that they are ~notsguilty,
and they were all at the office of the
Board as early as 10 O'Clock. When Judge
Hudspeth arrived. an hour later, all of
present, with their large and able array
of counsel, The lawyers included John
Griffin, Senator DAILY, Leon Albeit, ex-
Judge Noonan. ex-Judge Hoffman, Alex
ander Young, Davis and Kenny of Harri-
son. Flavel MCGEE and Otto Grouse are
also in the case, but weFe not in court
this morning.
Judge Hudspeth and Judge Blair took
their seats Upon the bench shortly after
nounced that the Court was ready to hear
any motions.
Lawyer Griffin, who represents all the
defendants and who had been selected as
spokesman by the other lawyers, an
nouneed that the Freeholders were in
court ready to plead.
rs the Prosecutor here?' asked Judge
Hudspeth.
HE is down stairs. I believe" re-
piled Assistant Prosecutor Van Wrinkle;
.'but wish to say that there is an UNI
Outstanding with Mr.. MCGEE, who has
gone out of town, that the arrangements
were to take place on Monday. Mr.. Nc
Gee represents Mr.. Verdon. There is no
disposition on the part of the Prosecutor
to postpone the arrangements, but the
Prosecutor has been subpoenaed to APP
pear before the Gledhill Committee
Mr.. Griffith suggested that Mr.. McGee's
client could be arraigned on Monday, and
said he could see no objection to arraign-
ing the others at once. The Sheriff had
! served capiases on them and they were
present with their bondsmen.
Mr.. Van Wrinkle mildly demurred.
ssYou can see the position these defen-
dants are placed in, Mr.. Van Wrinkle"
said Judge Hudspeth. IF they are not ar
raigned now and allowed to give bonds.
They are here under capiases and If not
arraigned they will have to go to jail.
Mr.. Van Wrinkle went down stairs to
look for Prosecutor Erwin and found that
he had gone down torsee the Gledhill
Committee. When he returned, some time
afterward, with that information, Judge
Hudspeth suggested that the Assistant
Prosecutor could arraign the defendants.
Mr.. Van Wrinkle made no further objec-
ton, and the roll of the Freeholders was
called. All of them except Mr.. Verdon
responded. AS their names We're cafied,
they walked inside. the railing and lined
up before the bench in much the same
manner as the Grand Jury does hen It
comes into court.
Mr.. Van Wrinkle first produced the in
dictment for maintaining a nuisance by
falling to keep the Boulevard in repair,
and said:-ffGentlemen. what do you
plead, guilty or not guilty.?
1--WE plead guilty" said Lawyer Griffin,
"and reserve the right to withdraw the
plea. or ether a demurrer and certiorari
mine.v
Judge Hudspeth nodded. his head and
said. THAT may be done.
LAWYER Griffin relieved Mr.. Van Wrinkle
from the task of reading the second IN
dictment which fills thirty-two type-Wflt-
ten pages, by stating that the defendants
would plead not guilty without having the
counts read.
The indictments for exceeding the APP
preparations for 1857. The only Free
Director Clayton and Messrs. Lynch.
Piercy and Wilson. Collector Dugan ana
Superintendent Smith qualified as bonds
men and the ceremony was ended.