The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-28

HELD FOR WHAT?
Very Extraordinary Ruling
Of Justice Nevin This
Morning.
DIDN'T HELP POLICE
So They Were Locked Up to
Be Taught Their Duty
as Citizens.

Police Justice Nevin, in the First Grim
inal Court, Jersey City, this morning,
sprang a sensation when he arrested two
men for not doing their duty as citizens
Justice Neyin. was hearing the case Of
jeremiah Murphy, who was arrested a
week ago for breaking into the saloon
of William Bassing, Grove and Twelfth
streets, and robbing the cash drawer OF
$40.
On the morning the robbery was dis
covered Bassing notified Policeman Max
well shortly after six o'clock. Maxwell
remembered having seen Murphy and a
ma named Corbett, both of whom have
done time in the Penitentiary. in the
vicinity of the saloon. He knew that
Murphy iounged in the saloon of a man
named Flaherty on Henderson street. he
went there in search of him. As he en-
tered the saloon he saw Murphy and Cor
bett thinking together at the bar As
soon as Corbett saw Maxwell he ran
through a door in a rear room. Mhxwen
seized Murphy and forced him into the
room. locking the door after him.
He then called upon two men, Patrick
Murphy, of No. .632 Grove street and Nell
son Drake, of No. 1873 Seventeenth street.
to assist him by taking his patrol box
key and ringing for the patrol wagon
They refused to do as requested.
Murphy and Corbett broke out of the
room and attacked Maxwell, Murphy
from in front and Corbett from the rear.
Maxwell drew his club and laid about
him with it. While he was engaged with
Corbett. Murphy ran behind the bar and
picking up three beer glasses fired them
at Maxwell. Corbett fled and Maxwell
turned his attention to Murphy.
He called upon Patrick Murphy and
Drake a second time for assistance. They
remained passive spectators to the fight.
Maxwell was obliged to split jeremiah
Murphy's head open with his club before
he had him in subsection.
..Why didn't you shoot?" asked Police
Justice Nevin.
IT didn't want to do that" replied Max
well, ..as I didn't know I had him right
until 1 got him to the station house and
found the stolen money in his pocket"
Did you call upon the citizens present
for help?" asked the Magistrate.
yes, sir, but they refused to render
me any assistance"
Have they been ~subpoenaed here?"
."They are in court at present"
Patrick Murphy and Nelson Drake step
up here commanded Police Justice
Nevin.
When the two men were before him
Police Justice Neyin sternly questioned
them.
DO you know your duties as citizens?"
he asked
Each man replied that he thought he
aid.
Don't you know that it is the duty of
acii=aats-assist a police officer in the
enforcement of the law whenever called
upon to do so; whether it is by turning a
key or holding a prisoner"
The men replied that they-did not know
that their duty required them to perform
such service.
"All right" said Justice Nevin, 81 will
lock you both up and hold you for the
Grand Jury. 1 will let the higher court
instruct you in your duty as citizens"
BY his orderCourt Officer Bruene pushed
the two men into the prisoners pen-
jeremiah Murphy was held in LOCO bail
for the robbery.
This is the last day of registration.
Polls T. NJ
Polls p. M.