New-York tribune., 1903-03-28
PRAISE Grand JURY.
NeoCark People Commend Their
Independence.
MEN SAY THEY DO NOT FEAR

The one topic Of conversation In Newark yester-
day was the action of the Essex grand jury in in
dieting the principal officers and employees and
the executive board Of the North Jersey Street
Railway Company. The almost universal opinion
sustained the indictments. while admiration for
the independence of the turymen was everywhere
expressed.
II appears that the vote was taken by the jury
a week ago. after a majority had refused to vote
against the conductor trolley man and sandman
The vote to order a bill drawn against David
Young, general manager Of the company, and the
four of1cers under him in Newark, was practically
unanimous. None Of the higher officials OF the
company were included in the vote taken Tues
day. It was held that the executive committee OF
the company were also crninally responsible the
point being that the committee was the con-
trolling body II was its members duty to know
that the public was protected at the Clifton-ave
crossing. A minority held that the members OF
the committee engaged in private business
and could not be held personally responsible; that
when, the recommendation of officers under
them, they voted for improvements, their duty
performed. It also argued by the minority
that 1t idle TO make such g sweeping indict"
ment
Most OF TIE jury refused TO recognize these argl-
ments and the indictments ordered On
Thursday last Prosecutor Riker submitted the In
dictment in the form he had been instructed TO
draw IL. Asked IL the indicted men could be con-
victed. he replied there doubt. He suggested
that Chief Justice Gummere be consulted Some
jurors favored this step but others demurred.
committee talked with Chief Justice Gummere
Then Prosecutor Riker talked with him. Soon
after this the grand Jury handed up the IN
dictments 1t is understood that the chief Justice
simply explained the law. He sustained the view
TO doubts about conviction The chief Justice
told the committee that the members Of the ex-
ecutfve committee were not indictable unless 1t
could be shown that they knew or should nave
known about the bad conditions at the crossing.
Elisha B. Gaddis. of Newark, said yesterday he
had heard Tuesday night that the executive
committee had been indicted, and that 1t was
great surprise to him. He and the other commit
tearnen were ready TO stand trial They knew they
had no responsibility for the grade crossing Tragedy
prominent lawyer said yesterday that 1t was
mistake to indct the executive committee: that
convictions of them extremely improbable
al cannot understand" he continued, why the
Newark officials who for at least four years winked
at the neglect at the CHfton-ave crossing are not
cupable than railroad directors living IN otleF
cities and having active management OF 'he
trolley company. It was shown at the inquest that
complaints about the danger OF this crossing were
made to the Board of Works at different times ana
that they had appreciate effect Even ~hen tile
high school was placed beyond the crossing ana d
thousand children were compelled to pass II every
day the board did nothing, but sat STILL Ihe couh-
sci of the board Henry Young. who has an excep-
tionaI knowledge Of municipal law, told the board
the other day that it had all the necessary power
to compel proper safeguards at that crossing. 4
presume, though that the grand jury Is not th'Ou5
with the case"
The maximum penalty under the NeW-Jersey law
in case of conviction Of manslaughter is ten years
in State prison, OF a fine Of H,Oeo, or both.
Il am willing to go to Newark any time Ionn
D. Crimrnins one OF those indicted. said yesterday
IT have suggested that we all go together anu
save the Essex County authorities the trouble OF
sending for us. People In Newark say the actlon
Of the grand jury is ridiculous. The indictments
NAV have been found to satisfy public clamor' or
to strike at men who have succeeded in reaching
some position in life.
whether the indictments will be ouasneo OF
what will lie done, I do not know. but 1t does not
seem as IL they could do anything with the ex-
ecuttve committee OF the North Jersey Street Rail-
v-av COMPANY This accident pure end
sImuIe but il any one were responsible II Woulo
seem as if the blame should be put on the operating
Recruitment instead Of men who were not any,
where near the place was in Florida thousSnc
miles sWay OF course II We have done wrong we
should be punished, and am GLAD the men VINO
we're operating the road at the time OF the deplora
HE accident have been eXonerated NO one can
regret the awful accident more tnan 90 the mem
hers OF the executive committee. 90 not tTlhK
anv Of us will ever be tried or imprlsoned.
have been told that this is the hrst DefnocraI1c
grand Jury they have had in Essex county Iof
some time and that politics may have mao some
thing to do with its action l am a DemocTat
rnyself and cannot account for such a course, put
there NAV be local conditions that some think war
rant it"