New-York tribune., 1898-01-12
GOV. GRIGGS'S MESSAGE.
NEv-JFRSEY LEGISLATURE ADVISED TO
PROBE CHARGES OF CORRUPTION.

OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT IN HUDSON COUNTY
LIKELY TO FORM THE BASIS OF I'M
pEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.
Trenton n j. Jan. II tSpeciaD.-The 122d session
OF the New-Jersey Legislature opened to-day.
The Senate organized by electing Foster NJ Voor-
hees OF Union County. president; William IL
Skirm as president pro tenn. and George A Frey
as secretary. When Governor driges enters 'r m
Cabinet as Attorney General Senator Noorhees "''
become Acting Governor. David o. watkins oi
Gloucester County was eiec'eo 0po "
House of Assembly.
After both houses had organized Governor uriess
sent his second and last annual message 10 .hc
Legislature He referred TO the neeo OF reV.
~ ,he laws governing taxation. the poiuuon Oh 'no
passaic River and the work OF inc 'a''oo' '''
rnents of the State government -.-..-,
I-ndruhtedly the strongest part OF the "''
,,oesepe was tha: dealing with the Hudson county
scandals This Is what he said on tha' suo'eo''
..puhuc charges have been recently mace oy re-
sponsihe Journals against officers OF inc Ia" ~ 0
county Of Hudson involving. II true gross COT
rvption and the perversion OF the macni'e,s ~. -
r,brc n,s,ce II is alleged that the present sher'n
~ that county. in order 70 protect criminals iioi'
Indictment and Just punishment. wiiiuiIy ana ue-
uberately returns Grand Juries composed as 10 'he
major part Of friends copartners and protectors Oh
hehitual lawbreakers: that this In done with the
ohiect Of preventing the indictment end punishment
Of persons who engaged In criminal pracuces
within the county. against whom the specihc oe
nunciations Of the Judges OF the courts OF tie
county have been frequently directed; that IN spite
Of the most clear and convincing proof OF guilt
,o,d before such Grand Juries and under the most
positive direction from the courts to indict' the
Offenders are shielded by Grand Jur.es, and are not
presented for trial. that such Grand Juries are not
exceptional. but hsbitually so made UP by tho
Sheriff
1T is further charged that the ONCE of the Pros
ecutor OF the Pleas has also been used extensively
70 shield criminals: that hundreds OF indictments
found by former Grand Juries have been suppressed
without the knowledge consent OF the Judges
and for the purpose Of shielding the defendants;
that many thousands Of dollars have been lost 10
the county by reason Of the failure. either wilful
negligent OF the Prosecutor to tske proper steps
for the collection Of money due on forfeited recog-
nzances OF bail Direct charges of Official corrup-
ton have been openly preferred against the AS
sistant Prosecutor of the Pleas. and he is now
under Indictment for conspiracy to hinder and pre-
the administration of justice IN the very court
Of which he has been officer.
The administration OF the criminal law is
mtted certain officers and agencies in the
erA counties OF the State. operating through the
courts OF criminal jurisdiction. Judges Sherfs.
Public Prosecutors constabes police officers are
all supposed work together. each in his allotted
sphere 70 that the dignity of the law upheld
and that crime is detected and punished. There is
safety for the citizen. security his person
laws and the agents OF justice combine screen
them from punishment. The Judges of the courts
IN HUDSON County have done their duty. With
great bodness. which could only be justified by
usual necessity they have urged the Grand Juries
10 the fun performance Of their sworn duties They
nave uHe sna tne Ssalh uttered publicly their
opinion that oticials Of the courthouse were acting
maintained fearlessiy and with the most vain sr ap
proval OF all aw-oving citizens. the dignity and
reputation Of New Jersey courts OF justice
II II be true that the Sheriff OF the county or
eny other officers OF justice holding commissions
shield criminals; If Il be true that the Sheriff in
stead Of re urning for grand jurors good men and
true, does wfuly make up his jures OF persons
who will protect criminals disregard their oaths
and bring TO naugh the efforts OF the courts then
The administration OF justice and the execution OF
the avs have failed by reason Of the corruption of
officers OF the State and there remains far as
know. but one remedy, and that is the high and
extraordinary power Of Impeachment which Is
lodged in the legislature This is a power which
ought never TO be resorted 70 except in cases OF
great public Importance. The General Assembly
has the power. under the Constitution TO investi-
gate and inquire in the fullest possible manner into