The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-31
SNAIL POLITICS.
Hoboken Police Arrest a
Speaker at an Outdoor
Stuhr Meeting.
EXCUSE NO PERMIT FOR SPEAKING
Recorder Stanton Calls 1t Cur
failing Free Speech and
Discharges De-
PENDANT.
EXCUSE NO PERMIT FOR SPEAKING

John C. Shelley, a Hoboken lawyer, was
arrested last night for persisting in talk
ing without a permit at an ~open-air
meeting. held under the auspices of the
Citizens Committee. Police Sergeant
John Flattery, who made the arrest, said
he was acting under orders. A big crowd
followed the pair to Police Headquarters,
where Sicily was released. after giving
bonds to appear before Recorder Stanton
this morning.
The incident created considerable ex-
element. The meeting was held in the
Fourth Ward, at Monroe and Fourth
streets. Ex-senator William Stuhr, the
Mayoralty candidate, had commenced
speaking from the bach of a truck when
Patrolman Dennis Leahey appeared and
quietly asked whether he had a permit.
tuh said he had not, and when told
tina he could not proceed, said:-'All
right, We'll have to try and find a hail.
A portion of the crowd then adjourned
to the rear apartment of a convenient
saloon where Stuhr continued his re-
marks.
Some of the gathering who could not
get into the saloon collected at Grand and
Fourth streets. where they set up the cry
that Leahy had no right to break up the
open air meet. Sicily, who is twenty
five years old. here put in an appearance
and with some gusto declared that no
policeman could prevent him from ex-
pressing his views. A number of adj
mirers of the young lawyer a~pplaunded
him and encouraged he mounted a new
platform erected by the crowd and began
to talk. Sergeant Flattery, who had been
summoned by Leahey asked him whether
a permit had been granted to conduct the
meeting. Sicily said he had not.
Then you will lave TO desist." said
the Sergeant.
81 will not unless you make me-" an
swered Skelly. II will nave to be put
down from this platform first"
He was then placed under arrest and a
charge of disorderiy conduct and OBJ
STRUGGLING a public thoroughlare was en-
Thomas McAleer accepted Timothy j.
Kelly's bail bond for the appearance OF
the prisoner before Recorder Stanton
Sicily tried to create a scene at Police
Headquarters by cheering for Stuhr. Pc
lice Captain Patrick Hayes shut him up.
Skelly considered the Captains efforts to
quiet him TOO rough and after he had
been released applied to Justice of the
Peace James Clarke for a warrant Tor
Hayes dTI6Sl Oil Liz CildtSC u
The Justice refused to issue the war
rant. Oscar Frommell, the Councilmanic
candidate of the Stuhr ticket in the
Fifth ward. when seen by a News" man
said that the Citizens Committee had ap-
piled to the police for a permit to CON
duct the open air meeting, but had been
refused. Mr.. Stuhr did not wish to
make trouble said he, land when he was
requested to stop speaking did so at once.
He also advised Skelly not to create a
disturbance"
The case occupied the attendance OF the
Recorder for over an hour this morning.
Corporation Attorney James F. Minturn
was on hand to represent the police and
Mr.. Stuhr appeared for Skelly. The two
legal gentlemen had several lively spats-
Recorder Stanton dismissed the case,
basing this opinion on Section IL of the
Constitution of the State of New Jersey,
prohibiting interference with free speech
or the assembling of people to discuss
their views.
If / were to deprive the citizens of Ho-
boken of this right, said the Recorder,
I'VE would soon have every American. who
respects his lawful privilege seeking
another place of residence"