The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-12-04
ERWIN S
"CRUSAD[. !"
Judge Blair Bounces the
Grand Jury Because 1t
Wouldn't Do the
Prosecutors Bid
ding.
NO EXPLANATIONS ALLOWED
Foreman Furst Asks Per-
mission to Speak and
Is Curtly Told He
Is Discharged.
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
Jurors Are Indignant Over
the Treatment They Have
Received for Doing
Their Duty Honestly.

Three successive Grand Juries, each
composed of twenty-three reputable citiz-
ems, selected, irrespective of party afflll-
ations from different sections of the
county, have decided that the Jersey City
police did not present sufficient evidence
on which to base an indictment against
Eugene Sullivan, whose saloon on Pa
vonia avenue was raided as gambling
resort in February of last year. Opposing
the opinion of these sixty-nine men, JUS
.ice Collins Judge Blair, Prosecutor En-
win and, incidentally, DR.. John d. McGill.
president of the Jersey City Police Board,
insist that there was sufficient evidence
to warrant an indictment.
Yesterday, the September Term Grand
Jury came into court and was discharged
AS with its predecessor, the thanks of
the Court were not extended to the body
because its view of the Sullivan case did
not coincide with that held by the Court.
Not only was the Grand Jury discharged
without the usual courteous remarks of
the Court, but in addition Judge Blair,
who presided, took occasion to publicly
rebuke the body of nine Republicans and
fourteen Democrats who differed with
him as to the weight of evidence in the
Sullivan case.
The case of William Clossey, the al
legged proprietor of a gambling resort at
No 572 Newark avenue, which was also
raided by the police is an incident of the
Courts charge. The Grand Jury handed
into court an indictment against the
Baldwin Social Club under which name
the alleged gambling resort was conduct
ed This indictment includes as one of
the defendants Mr.. Clossey, and, incident
ally, DR.. Chauncey v. Everitt, who was
instrumental in having the place raided,
and who, Clossey claims, is member OF
the club Judge Blair, speaking for the
Court seems to take umbrage at the fact
that Clossey individually was not indicted
in place of the "club."
1t was four o'clock yesterday afternoon
when the twenty-three members of tile
Grfand Jury, headed by Foreman Charles
Furst, and accompanied by Under Sheriff
John J. Heavey and Prosecutor Erwin
filed into court. An unusually large num-
ber OF interested citizens were present.
Court Clerk Edward Gritten was already
in court. Judge Blair had been waiting
in his room for nearly an hour Clerk
Gritten asked of Foreman Furst the for
NAL questions whether the Grand jury
had any indictments or presentments to
make whereupon Mr.. Furst handed over
the batch of forty-seven to Mr. Gritten.
who promptly handed them 70 Judge
Blair. Judge Blair took less than a min
ute to look them over and then began
his address to the jury. When he had
concluded Foreman Furst stepped for
ward and SAID =
our honor can l say a word?"
mo, sir You are discharged said
Judge Blair, snappishly, as he turned in
his swivel chair as if to leave the bench
He called for Clerk Gritten and handed to
that official ali the papers with instruc-
lions to enter them of record.
The members of the Grand Jury went
Immediately to their room where they dis
cpssed the incidents of the afternoon for
nearly an hour. The following statement
was dictated to "The News" reporter by
Foreman Furst in the presence of tire
other members of the Grand Jury
On belief and with the consent Of
the Grand Jury. I wish to say that II
is a downright shame to be stood up
Of a lot Of convicted criminals in the
dock A convicted criminal Is given
an opportunity to say why sentence
ehould not he pronounced upon him.
We have sentence pronounced upon
us in the most severe way. and when
we ask for an opportunity to explain
why we have moi taken the action De
sired by the Court. We are told that
we are discharged and have no stand
ing.
Ii this is an inducement to reputable
men. and we are men who claim to
have the respect of the people IN our
several communities. with interests
demanding time and attention and
who Sacrifice them from a sense OF
d1ltv we feel we owe to the State. and
who attempt eonscentiously to fuiilil
our obligations and perform our duties
as our consciences dictate and IN ac-
cordance with our sense OF equity ana
Justice would dictate, then this treat.
tnent Is poor thanks. Because. we nave s
differed with the wishes Of the court
We must be castigated as il we nad no
consciencee.
After debating the above Grand Juror
George W Decker wished It to be under
stod that ne did not approve Of giving
any statement to the press as coming
from the Grand Jary as a whole We
believe that we did right said Mr.
Decker, but I do not think that we
An Old and Well Tried Ro,neay.
Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup for chill.
dren teething should always he used fol
4caf ff -