Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-04-01

ILe stand I'M newspaper mad taken, ending by inviting the reporter
outside. McArdlc then went out and hung around, evidently wait
ing for the reporter to appear for, as soon as the Ebrer went
ont, the abuse was resumed, and became 50 threatening that one of
the mayors assistants asked McArdIe not to "sart anything in
front Of the place. McArdIe then attempted to drag the reporter
down the street, but the scribe refused to go and started off in the
Iopposite direction.
lTeArdIe followed and, in the middle of the block, where it was
darkest, resumed his oAensiveness, squaring off apd threatening the
reporter. Other persons, hearing the renewal of the outbreak hur-
red mp and interferred. McardIe left, but as he went away he dared
the reporter to write him up.
All this occurred on a Saturday night. On Monday morning
when the matter was reported at the EVENING NEW office the re
porter was instructed to write a full account of the affair. He did as
he was told, and the paper appeared Monday afternoon with the
details Of the encounter, A few hours after the paper was out, and
las the same reporter was passing along Smith street, McArdle came
out OF a saloon directly opposite the mayors cigar store, apparently
waiting for him. As the reporter crossed High street, and before he
could step up on the curb McArdIe, from the sidewalk bounced upon
him, striking him in the face and beating him to the pavement kick
ing and pommeling him while he was down. One of the mayors as
sistants ran out to separate them. AT the same time the proprietor
Of the saloon appeared and assisted in getting the two apart. The
reporter was badly bruised. His eye needed medical treatment and
his body was sore for several days from the kicking. In the mean
time AcArdle was allowed to sneak away and make his escape to
Staten Island where he doubtless expected to remain until the mat
ter had blown over.
Earlier that day a warrant had been sworn out before the re-
c0Tder Tor NcATd7es arrest Ts~t6 rad not bosp apprehenJu
late as 5 o'clock that afternoon, and even after the assault MAN.
good his escape,
Another warrant was issued for McArdle from the prosecutors
Office charging him with assault. County Detective Pelher was not
long in locating the fugitive on Staten Island and he was placed IN
der arrest given a hearing and remanded for thirty days to await
requsiton papers.
The case was presented to the grand jury on Monday. A large
number Of witnesses We're summoned to testify. A clearer case of
deliberate assault could not be imagined. The reporter was called to
tell his story After him, were called two men, both decidedly
friendly to those whom the EVENING NEWS had criticised in the
beginning. That was all. No Indictment was found. In spite of the
fact that other witnesses, absolutely disinterested in the matter
We're on hand ready to describe the assault, one witness even being
ready to swear that on the Saturday when the first threats were
made, AlcArdle had told him that he was going to pull off, his
'star stunt that night, motoning with his fist what the "stmt"
would be like, and declaring that he would have to stay away for a
while because of tin spite of the fact that these witnesses were on
hand, they were not called before the grand jury, the charge being
hastily passed over.
We cannot but note in contrast another assault case that was
before this same grand jury. A man had ordered another man from
his office. lie did not go, 50 the man took him by the throat, it is
alleged, and forced him out. The man thus elected from another
office, made a charge of assault and an Indictment followed. When
it is realized that this happened in q mans own office, while the as
sault on the reporter occurred on the street and was far more bru.
tai, the assailant even practically admitting his guilt by fleeing from
the state, we cannot help but wonder what kind Of justice we are
having handed out to us.
What is the condition that we are up againstG
Has it come to the point where a newspaper cannot say a word
against a public official without its reporters being set upon and
beaten, and then being denied justice through the due process of
Is it not time for the l~awabiding citizens of the community to
besir themselves, if such is d factq
What may we expect next?
Where will it all end?
BY refusing to indct McArde, the grand Jury has practically
told all the "toughs' Of the city that they can 90 as far as they like
with the newspapermen. 1t is well known that this criminal class
fear the publicity of the press more than all the recorders fines that
can be imposed. Are they to be given full sway to thrash a reporter
every time he puts their name in The paper in connection with crime
.of which they are accused?
We look to the state for protection and our case is thrown ont
Apparently the only other thing to do is TO take the law in or
.oun hands. but this we hesitate to do, knowing full well the conse.
yv --l H. rl r.