New-York tribune., 1906-08-04
BELCHER GOT y YEARS.
UP ON SIX INDICTMENTS.
Paterson's Er-Mayor, Crippled by
Rheumatism, Pleaded Non TuH.

Paterson N. J.. Aug. 8 (Special)-Broken in
spirit and body. William III. Belcheri Paterson's
eN-Mayor, stood before Judge Scott Inc the Ses-
sions Court to-day, and after pleading non
vult to six indictments for embezzlement was
sentenced to twelve years at hard laDor in the
state prison at Trenton
IT was evident that Belcher was suffering
great physical strain, being crippled by sciatic
rheumatism, which he contracted i'm year Of
wandering through the country He was allowed
to remain seated while the court addressed him
and passed sentence. Thousands gathered in
and about the courthouse, and the Belcher they
saw confessed criminal was a striking contrast
to the honored citizen who was once the city's
chief executive.
Judge Scott is an old political and personal
friend of Belcher He has been in Maine a
vacation, and 1t was not expected that he would
return to perform such an unpleasant duty.
'T have returned TO fulfil my duty as Judge
Of this court" Judge Scott said, "and il is the
most painful one have ever been called upon
to perform. I know how through poverty and
toll you have struggled up to become a respected
member Of the bar and the chief magistrate OF
this large and prosperous city. With hosts os
friends and followers your future gave even
greater promise. A year ago while holding the
office of Mayor your flight disclosed q the as
tonished public those crimes manifold, so
grave and apparently deliberate that our
people stood aghast.
'I shall not enter into the painful details.
There are many indictments for forgery, the
greatest of which was for the use Of the County
Clerks stamp. which IS barred by the statutes.
We cannot however lose sight Of these In deal
ing with the indictments for embezzlement be-
fore the court and to which you have pleaded.
You have injured others. but none more than
yourself Your return to be punished shows that
you have suffered greatly. but an example must
be made for others. I must not let mercy
stand in the way OF justice. No restoration was
made nor can any be made. can see no good
reason to lessen the penalty"
Belcher's counsel, William Barbour. made a
plea for clemency. He intiuated that Belcher
could have implicated others in the case IL he
had wished.
The terms are not to run concurrently. so that
the ex-NIayor must spend twelve years In all
in the prison. He was visibly affected when he
heard the sentence. He remarked that he sup
posed he deserved IL. Sheriff Bergen said he
could not tell when he would take Belcher TO
prison. The law allows a prisoner nine days 20
settle his affairs.
Belcher's peculations amounted to nearly
S15oOOo As a result, the Manchester Building
and Loan Association, Of which he was vice
president, went into bankruptcy. George w.
Alice, now serving year IN state prison for
completely in the stealing that wrecked the con-
Germ, ascribed his downfall TO BelcheF.
When he found himself deeply involved
ranging from $500 TO $1,000 no part of which
was ever repaid. The eX-MayOr raised large
amounts on mortgages and notes. and, In addi-
ton to the charges Of ernbezzlement. he was
forged the name of A ID. Winfield, late County
Clerk, TO many mortgages.