The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-27
Mr.. VAN REIPEN ANGRY
Pays Fine For Not Cleaning Off
Snow Under Protest and
Threatens Suit.

A lively tilt occurred between Police
Justice Nevin and Cornelius Van Reipen
in the Second Criminal Court this morn
ing over fine of 81, which the Ju-sice
imposed upon Mr.. Van Reipen, for viola
tion of the ordinance concerning the
cleaning of snow from the sidewalks. Mr.
Van Reipen lives at Academy street and
Van Repen place. The complainant
against him was Policeman Abernethy
Mr.. Van Reipen claimed that he had
given orders to have the snow cleaned
from the sidewalks in question, that his
the snow was all cleared away by the
afternoon of the 18th instant. The bliz-
zard was over on the morning of the 14th.
The penalty is s5, but owing to the
severity of the storm, Police Justice
Nevin dealt leniently with offenders
whose sidewalks were cleared fully on
Thursday succeeding the blizzard. An
other batch of offenders brought before
him on the Saturday following were
fined the regular sum of IS.
Taking Mr.. Van Reipen at his word
that his sidewalk was cleared by the
afternoon of the 18th, the Justice declared
him still guilty of violating the ordin-
category with those whom he had dealt
lenienly with and fined Mr.. Van Reipen
81.
"I'n pay it under protest" said Mr..
Van Reipen, "but I'm going to see my
lawyer first"
you'll have to pay the fine first" said
the Justice quietly.
Mr. Van Reipen refused and the JUS
tfce told him that in such cases the
offender was usually sent to jail.
"Try it, if you like" said Mr.. Van
Reipen; you'll have more bees buzzing
about your head than you ever had be-
fore"
II have my plain duty to perform" :"
said the Justice.
YES, and I have mine," rejoined Mr..
Van Reipen.
"The Court is not a respecter of per-
sons,'' said the Justice
I'm going right down to see Otto
Grouse
"Then you'll pay IS fine,'' quietly in
proceedings regular. Because the ordi-
nance really imposes a fine of $5 in such
cases.
Mr.. Van Reipen looked quizzically at
y
he'd pay but the 81 fine first imposed,
'tbut mind you, under protest" he added,
as he handed over a dollar bill.
'A1l right" said the Justice. smiling
"Ill take this on account"
Il supposC-ou think I'm boy" said
Mr.. Van Reipen.
~ mo, I DON'T, replied the Justice.
"Well, you'll find out some things before
you are much older. You'll hear from
me- and Mr.. Van Reipen, who is afflicted
and can scarcely walk. moved slowly
toward the door.
A few minutes later he put his head
through the doorway and asked If he
could get the number of the police nlan
who complained against him. Aberne-hy
had left the court room and gone below
stairs by rear stairway.
mo, Mr.. Van Repen, you can only get
his number by going down to see the
Mr.. Van Reipen turned away, but again
returned.
'How do you write your name. J. J..
"John j. Nevin," replied the Justice.
"All right said Mr.. Van Reipen, "I'li
soon be ready for you.
Eyes, and I'll be ready for you,' said
the Justice.
moved away.
Mr.. Van Reipen "broke" Policeman Py-
erson His implied threat to break
Abernethy, who is a brother of President
Abernethy of the Police Board, caused
some of the knowing ones in the court
room to smile
During the examination Mr.: Van Rel
pen asked why Colonel Toffey's side
walks had not been cleared.