The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-28
RIKER'S ACTION
WON'T END
INQUIRY
Alden Freeman Declares He
Will Continue to Follow
Up His Investigation.

Alden Freeman, of East Orange,
chairman of the county committee of
the Independent Citizens party. was
informed today of the formal with
drawal of Chandler w. Riker from the
Republican ~gubernatorial race. Mr..
Freeman was asked if he. in view of
the withdrawal, would prosecute his in
vestigation into the records of the ia
nous case of the State VS.. the executive
committee of the North Jersey Street
Railway Company. He has blamed Mr..
Riker for his action as prosecutor in
that case, attacking him bitterly about
ten days ago at a dinner in his home.
101 Num- venue. Mr.. Riker was then
regarded as a candidate for the nomi-
nation. Mr.. Freeman yesterday asked
Prosecutor Henry Young to request the
court to allow the records of the testi-
mony presented to the Grand Jury to
be examined.
II will go right on with the investiga-
tion," said Mr.. Freeman, in reply to
the question of an EVENING STAR
reporter today. my investigation is
not a personal one. l believe that the
proceedings leading up to the we'll
known conclusion of the case were
faulty. The people ought to know some
thing about it, and | purpose to get to
the bottom of 1t. My request to have
the testimony examined does not come
from personal motives, and MI. Riker's
withdrawal will have no effect upon my
course
Mr.. Freeman said that he had not
received any reply from the letter he
sent, yesterday, to Prosecutor Young,
who is on his vacation. The communi-
cation Is as follows:
101 Mum Avenue,
East Orange, N. j., Aug. q, 1907.
Hon. Henry Young, Prosecutor of the
Pleas Of the County of Essex, Newark,
N. J.:
States attorney in Essex County for the
privilege of inspecting and procuring cop
les Of the records of evidence given before
the Grand Jury sitting in the County OF
Essex for the December term of the year
1902. in the case of the State VS.. the off,
GERS and executive committee of the North
Jersey Street Railway Company.
You are probably aware that in the pres
ent political campaign l have discussed
from the standpoint of a mere political
criticism "a right guaranteed to me by the
State and federal constitutions the rela-
tive merits of certain candidates for high
public office. and in so doing have heen
subjected to much criticism for having
made statements which, 1t has been de-
hit WIN Alot ~
While the personal aspect of the agita-
tion and criticism. as related to me. is a
matter of indifference to the people of the
State. the public aspect of the question
Is Of the utmos Importance to the whole
State.
One of the matters which has been thus
discussed is the method of prosecution OF
the case above mentioned, which is poDu-
larlv known as the Clifton avenue trolley
disaster.
I was n member of this Grand Jury. and
/ am Informed by counsel that on my re-
quest as such member of said Grand Jury
1t Is a matter of discretion with you as
Prosecutor of the Pleas to apply to the
court for an order that these records of
the evidence taken before the said Grand
Jnrv In said case be published. Such an
order l feel sure that the court might
grant In the interest of the Commonwealth,
and especially TO the end that. II the pres
ent law concerning indictments. their find
ing. their drawing and their trial be now
deficient. the Legislature may pass proper
remedial and reform legislation.
II YOU desire Authorities on the fact that
you have n discretion to make such appii-
cation I will be pleased to furnish the
same.
If. In your Judgment. 1 have been erro-
neously advised | shall esteem 1t a great
courtesy on YOUR part II you will state 10
whom I can make a proper application
tending to accomplish the above purposes.
I am. respectfully yours,
ALDEN FREEMAN.