The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-04
POLITICAL ARREST
FREEMAN WORKER HELD ON
FRAUD CHARGE.
Andrew L. Davidson, of East Orange
Under $1,000 Bonds for Falsely
Swearing Names on Petitions.

Charger with swearing falsely that their
names on q petition of Democrats of the
second district, Fourth ward, East Orange,
f~avoring Alden Freeman for Councilman,
were signed by Frederick Y. Mason and
Frank ]. Humid, when, as a matter of fact,
he had signed the names himself, after
having secured from the men their ac-
quiesence. Andrew l.. Davidson, of JG
Hawthorne place, East Orange, a proml-
nent Democratic worker in that city, was
arrested by Chief of Police Bell. of East
Orange, and Chief Frederick Weimer, of
the Prosecutors staff of detectives, at the
East Orange City Hall last night, where
Davidson had gone when he learned there
was an investigation of the petitions he
had prepared. The young man was given
immediate attention. and soon a bevy Of
his Democratic friends and Mr.. Freeman
were hustling about to help him out of his
predicament, which was regarded by his
lack of knowledge of the new primary
laws and a technical offense. At midnight
he was released on an indemnity bond for
81. 900. furnished by andrew Murray, an
East Orange saloon proprietor. Edward Il.
Anderson, a prominent Democratic leader,
and Mr.. Freeman, neither of whom had
real estate holdings acceptable. to the
court. signed bonds of $500 each to In
demnify Mr.. Murray.
When news of Mr.. Davidson's arrest was
flashed around East Orange there was a
rush of Democratic leaders to police head
quarters. Neither Mr.. Freeman nor the
others could give a $1,000 bond in real es-
tate. Martin Conboy secured a cab and
went out in the storm on an unsuccessful
search, and former Sheriff Nicoll was then
reached on the telephone. He offered 10
give a personal check. but Chief Bell re-
fused to bring his prisoner down to Mr..
Nicolls house and the Inter did not want
to go TO East Orange.
Finally 1t was decided to call up Mr..
Murray, who gave the bond. Mr.. David
son was then arraigned before Acting Re
eorder Francis A. Mott, jr.. and pleaded
not guilty.
In the first hearing before Recorder Fort
the official said the case was a serious one
and he thought that under the circum-
stances he would hold the defendant under
81, 500 bail. Mr.. Conboy, Davidson's coun-
sci, explained the bail was excessive UNI
der the circumstances, as the case was
really a technical one and there had beer
no attempt f~raudulently to use the names
which were signed to the petition. The
court then made the amount 1000, and as
he had to leave town fixed up the papers
In the case, then sent for Mr.. Mott, who
usually acts as recorder in his absence
and that man stayed with the party unit
midnight to help Davidson out.
While the complaint mentions but two
names improperly signed there were five
Democrats names signed to the petition
by Davidson. Mr., Freeman hurried out
during the evening and saw Messrs. Hunc
and Mason. The former said he would
gladly have signed the petition had it beer
brought 20 him to sign, and he would dc
what he could to help out Davidson. Mr.
Mason announced he would be present a
the hearing of Davidson on Friday nigh
to testify In his behalf.
George A. Grover, the Republican candi
date for alderman opposing Freeman, sale
this morning that IL his friends or worker
had been a party TO any fraudulent worl
In the getting of signatures to his petition
he would Immediately withdraw from tn
contest.
With his h~igh-powered microscope il
smooth working order, Mr.. Freeman en-
tered the office of City Clerk Lincoln ID
RowIey early this morning and asked t.
examine the petitions filed In every ward o
the city. He declared that he had reasoi
to believe he could unearth evidence tina
would make things warm for some of tn
men whose names appeared on the peti
ton and before noon he found two petit
tions bearing the names Of two men VIII
had signed different petitions
These petitions Mr.. Freeman prompt
entered a formal protest against, lodgin
his complaint with the city clerk and de
handing that they be rejected from tn
list and the two men prosecuted; Cit
Clerk Rowley took the complaint but de
clined to take action without the advice @
the city counsel, to whom the matter wa
Excitement is running high in East On
ange and rumors are afioat that John DalN
Mr.. Freeman's coachman. has aff1xed n
name to two petitions. one Tor an lndt
pendent candidate and mother for tn
Democratic candidates.
1t is understood that a protest has bee
entered gains one of the Democrat
candidates for the county committee in tn
Fourth Ward. 1t Is said h a this ma
is an ex-convict and has never been re
stored to citizenship.
Mr.. Freeman had not completed hi
scrutiny of the petitions at l O'Clock, whe
he retired for lunch. He has an assist
ant working with him, and says he Wi
stick at the job until 1t Is complete.