The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-11-03
REGISTRY FRAUDS.
Several Cases in Court But
None Disposed Of
Today.

An examination of persons arrested on
charges of violation of the registration
law was begun today III the First Grim
inal Court, before Police Justice Nevin,
and adjourned until tomorrow at 10 A. M.
George Tanner was arraigned ON corn-
plant of Roundsman Craig, who charg-
ed him with having falsely registered,
by affidavit, as a voter in the Fifth pre-
cinct of the Fifth ward, George AfcCabess
residence No. AS York street. Before
calling the complainant Lawyer Speer,
who appeared for the defendant, moved
dismissal of the complaint on the
ground that it was defective in that it
failed to specify wherein the reg1stra-
tion was false, not giving the accused
an opportunity to know the nature OF
the charge against him. Mr. Speer OPP
posed the suggestion that the complaint
be amended, saying it was only the duty
of the Justice to know that the COM
plant is legally drawn, and not to cor-
rect it.
Justice Nevin ruled that it was his
province to decide from the result of the
examination whether the evidence war
ranted holding the defendants for the
Grand Jury, and that the oDlection 8 g
the form of the complaint was not good.
Roundsnlan Craig testified that ne ln-
al1ired in the house. No. 445 York street,
and was told by the tenants that no per-
son by the name of George McCape ever
resided there Mr. Speer objected to what
the witness was told being taken as evil
den0e. He hads not taken steps 20 nave
any of the tenants present as witnesses
Failing to produce corropofatlon, sIls
charge against Mr. Tanner was dismiss
ed two other charges OF similar cnar-.
acter still standing against him.
James Corbin. Edward Lane, William
To. RI
and Joseph Kenny, were called ard ess-
animation in each case adjourned until
tomorrow.
Hugh Meehan was charged with fradu-
lently registering Matthew Lynch, of No.
217 Mercer street, who has resided in this
city only two weeks and Is not citizen.
Roundsman Craig testified that Lynch
resides at No. 217 Mercer street, but that
he is not e citizen.
Lynch testified that he formerly resid-
ed for two years on Union street, on the
Heights; that for two months prior to ttie
last two weeks he had lived in New Y ork;
tnat he has been acquainted with Mr..
Meehan for about two years, frequently
visiting his place. that Meehan never
asked Kim Il he was citizen and voter,
and he never told him whether he was or
not; that he had his first papers. and haq
never attempted 10 get any other: tfiat
he came to This country in 1884; did not
go to The registry place, and Meehan neF-
er spoke TO him about registering.
Meehan stated that he had known
Lynch long time, supposed ne was q
citizen and legal voter. and on that sup
position registered him. without The
slightest intention to violate the law;
Chief Murphy took the stand and stat
cd that IN all these cases every opportun-
ny was given those arrested to set them,
selves right before being booked, and
Meehan had told him that he truly be-
lieved Lynch to be a legal voter.
Counsellor Mulvaney, who appeared for
Meehan. asked for his discharge saving
that there was no evidence to prove that
Meehan knew that Lynch was not legal
voter, but on the other hand that ne be-
lieved him to be such, that he had no
criminal intent, had committed no crime
and what he did was entirely free from
Justice Nevin said he would take the
case under advisement. his only purpose
being to uphold the law and secure just
and honest elections, and not his desire
to have any one wrongfully prosecuted.
He thought all these cases should be dis
posed of at the same time, and therefore
reserved decision in that of Mr.. Meehan
until tomorrow.