The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-25
II EAVY BAIL
FOR SELLERS
OF COCAINE
Judge Howell Refuses to
Reduce It--Arraignment
Of Prisoners.

There will be no reduction by the po-
lice courts in the amount of bail re-
quired in cases of persons accused of
Illegally selling cocaine. This was
Judge Howell's decision in the First
Criminal Court this morning when At
torneys James McDermit and William
Greenfield appeared for three of the
sixteen accused and asked to have the
bail reduced to $500.
Judge Howell was firm in his de-
cision, saying that $1,000 would be
asked in all cases of this kind sent to
the Grand Jury.
"The last time that bail was fixed
at $500 those released went right out
again and continued to sell the drug"
said Judge Howell. This is a bad
habit, and an extraordinary effort must
be made to stamp 1t out"
Sixteen alleged cocaine sellers, round-
ed up within the past two weeks by
Sheriffs men, faced Judge Howell and
were each held in $1,000 for the Grand
Jury. Attorney McDermit appeared In
behalf of Arthur Young, of 1872 East
Kinney street. and Lillian Neal, a me-
gress, of 172 Bleecker street
Attorney Greenfield asked 20 have
an immediate examination of bis cli-
ent, Charles Sobel, of Al Mitchell street.
Judge Howell found it impossible to
grant the request and the examination
was put off until next Tuesday, the
court asking that $1,000 bonds be fur
nished for the mans release. Green
field asked that the bail be reduced to
$500. but this was denied, Judge Howell
giving his reasons as stated above.
Attorney McDermit made similar plea
for his clients. but this was refused
also.
Justice Of the Peace Henry Bossett was
criticised in connection with the arraign-
ment OF the prisoners before the court
and he said today;
Il well know that l cannot commit
any one to await the action of the Grand
jury in a first-class city where there IS
a police Judge. and what Is more since
I have been at the service Of the sheriff's
office / have not done so. When the
sheriff's men make an arrest the prisoner
is usually arraigned before me and | COM
nit him to Jail.
Il then make jut the complaint and
send it TO the First Criminal Court, where
the prisoner is usually arraigned when
that court is in session. and formally COM
mitted to await the action OF the Grand
Jury.
Last Friday night, after the Sherin's
men made that clean sweep, | committed
several TO await the action of the Grand
Jury and fixed the bail, but If you'll III
vestigate you will see that they were from
other sections of the county, and not this
city. l understand. however, that some Of
those taken in the raids in the city We're
also admitted TO bail, without being ar
raigned before Judge Howell. bat said L
was done by arrangement with Timothy
Scales, the clerk of the Grand Jury.
when | commit prisoners for hearing
and turn over the complaints to the clerk
Of the court, It is the duty of the court
officers TO arrange for the transportation
Of the prisoners from the iail 70 the court
Bossett said that the sheriff's prisoners
were arraigned in the First Criminal Court
owing TO Its convenience to the Court
House.
While Sheriff Sommer and Under sherlH
Mason both refused 10 50 into detnils to-
day. they expressed satisfaction with bon-
sett'A work.