The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-03-26
BITTER SNUB
Grand Jury scathingly Con-
demns the Journals
Hoboken Election
Fraud Fake.
SUNDAY LIQUOR SALE.
Presentment Pushing a Hard
Problem Up to the Re-
publican Police
Machine.
GREAT PUBLIC NEEDS
New Court House Building and
Jersey City High School
Schools Nos. 8 and II.
GREAT PUBLIC NEEDS

The Grand Jury for the December, 1901,
term came Into Court yesterday afternoon
ana was formally discharged by Judge
Blair, who spoke in eulogestic terms OF
the good work done by the body and con-
cluded by extending to. the members the
thanks of the County.
A final presentment on matters investi-
gated during the term was handed into
Court, and by direction Of Judge Blair
was made public. 1t covers a large var
iety of subjects, as anticipated in these
columns.
It was $40 O'Clock when the twenty
three members of the Grand Jury headed
by Foreman Peterson and Sheriff Ruemp-
Ter filed into Court. Judge Blair was on
the bench when the Foreman handed up
the presentment and batch of fifty-fiye
indictments. making an even one hundred
found. during the term The Court asked
if the Grand Jury desired the presentment
made public. and was told by the foreman
that it was the intention to leave that
matter entirely to the Cour
Prosecutor Erwin then. IN brief but
glowing words. enlogized the retiring
Grand Jury. He said that their work was
over and that Il had been well and hon
estly done The members had attended 10
their duties and the Interests Of the state
in most satisfactory manner. and he, as
the States representative. felt 1t his duty
10 say how well satisfied he was.
Foreman Petersen said that on behalf OF
his associates and himself he wanted 10
thank the Court and Prosecutor publicly
for their advice and assistance to the
Grand Jury. He concluding by requesting
If the Court had no further business to
refer 70 them. that they be discharged.
..The Court has no further business for
you.v replied Judge Blair. II regret very
much that Justice Collins is not present
His duties have called him TO Trenton.
know it would be pleasant for him to have
something to say to you before your dis
charge. It is pleasant for the Court before
the commencement of a new term 20
have asfew days in which to wind up the
business of the old term" Continuing he
soid:1
"The Court recognizes the great power
and aid of the Grand Jury. Justice would
be practically powerless without its as
sistance, and it is a great satisfaction for
the Court to know that Grand Jury has
done its duty tfearlessly This Grand Jury
has acted properly and with courage and
now that it is your desire to be discharged
1 discharge you with the thanks of the
people of the county
The Grand Jurors then retired to their
room and had an informal discussion of
private matters At the conclusion of this
talk many OF them went to a photo
graphic studio opposite the Court House
and sat for a group picture which is TO
be made.
The most interesting and remarkable
portion Of the presentment is probably
the following
The Grand Inquest made thofcugh III
vestigation into the alleged violations Of
the election laws at the fall election IN
Jersey City, Hoboken and Bayonne. There
was evidence indicating technical viola
tlons of the law arising perhaps through
the carelessness or incompeteney OF mem
bers of the election boards. yet we do not
believe that the general resUit-was in any
way Influenced by any concerted effort to
bring about a fraudulent result.
The alleged election. frauds in Hoboken
have been thoroughly investigated and
we find no evidence to justify the unwise
and unmerlted publicity given to the scan
dalous attack made upon the good name
Of the people Of Hoboken.
The possible abuse of registrations by
affidavit has become so apparent that
measures should be taken by the Legsla-
ture to abolish same and enact A law that
will permit only personal registration.