The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-10-08
No Grand Turv.

following gentlemen were called to an
swer the summons to serve as grand
jurors:
/ George NJ. Hillman, Chester.
Edward NJ. Perkins, Beverly city.
| Frank NJ. Shaw, Beverly township.
George W. Anthony, Burlington city.
| Charles P. Farmer, Burlington city.
William J: Terrell, Burlington township.
| Fred. w. Taylor, Bordentown city.
| Hugh LeJambre, Bordentown township.
Collins II; Haines. Cinnaminson.
David T. Ballinger, Evesham.
| Newton Morton, Florence.
John p. Hutchinson, Mansfield.
| Henry P. Thorn, Medford.
William D. Cowperthwait, Southampton.
William P. Melcher. Northampton
William Rudduck, PALMYRA.
| IA; warner Hargrove. Pemberton township.
Charles III. Zeigler, Riverside.
Joseph w. Z. Jennings, Shamong.
Rev. John f. Lowden, Washington.
| Richard Hansell Willingboro.
| T. walter Borton, Northa m pton.
Robert I. Evans, Mount Laurel
| Just as the first man was called, v.
Claude Palmer arose to make q motion to
prevent the jurors from being sworn.
Judge Voorhees, said he thought 1t would
be better to wait until a II the jurors had
taken their seats and then present the
matter.
When the gentlemen summoned had
! been seated, Mr.. Palmer resumed his mo-
1
disqualified from drawing a jury that
would be called upon to pass ON matters
In which he might be interested. Mr..
Palmer referred to the report of Thomas
French, the expert appointed by Judge
Voorhees,, In which Mr.. French said the
Board Of Freeholders had exceeded In
dividual and general appropriations in an
unlawful manner That this matter would
undoubtedly be presented to the jury was
patent to all, and Mr.. Palmer did not
think that the Sheriff should have any
say In selecting men who would have iu-
risdiction over q matter In which he
would be interested, the Sheriff having
been a member of the Board of Free
holders at the time that the alleged irreg-
ularities occurred.
Judge Voorhees, asked Mr.. Palmer In
what capacity he appeared, and the latter
said he was there as taxpayer and the
representative of taxpayers who had
originally taken this matter up.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Palmer's re-
marks Prosecutor Atkinson arose and said
that Mr.. Palmer had anticipated his action.
He had intended, as the states represen-
tative, to enter q challenge against this
grand jury. While there was nothing
against the personnel of the gentlemen
who had been summoned, yet 1t appeared
to the Prosecutor that 1t was not the pro-
per thing for them to sit In Judgment in
this case. He had intended doing exactly
what Mr.. Palmer had done, but as the lat
ter had not consulted him he was taken by
surprise. AS the matter was one for the
court to pass upon, Mr.. Atkinson said he
would leave 1t entirely with the Judge.
Judge Voorhees, said the proceedings
were entirely of q legal character. The
law provides that the interest of any of
fetal summoning jurors Is sufficient ground
for challenge Of the array. The Judge
said he had not been informed, except BY
the report of the expert, that any crime
had been committed. In his mind the ex-
ceeding Of appropriations does not con-
stitute crime unless the whole or aggre-
gate amount has been overdrawn. But
in this case there is a charge that the
Board Of Freeholders exceeded not only
specific appropriations but went far be-
yond their legal limit In the aggregate. 1t
might be that an investigation would dis
close a situation that would be enlarged
beyond what Is now supposed to be the
case. There was no doubt about the
right of Mr.. Palmer to challenge the
panel, but coupled with his objections
there Is a challenge from the Prosecutor
of the Pleas, and after hearing all of the
he held that there were sufficient
grounds to sustain the challenge. Hell
wanted 1t distinctly understood, however.
that this action was no reflection upon the
Sheriff, that he is not tainted with guilt
simply because he was q member of the
Board of Freeholders, nor did 1t mean
that the Board itself is guilty of crime:
that must be determined by the proper
tribunal later. And the Judge also Ina. |
pressed his hearers that the gentlemen
who had been summoned to serve as grand |
jurors were entirely free from any manner
of criticism.
Judge Voorhees, then excused the Jurors |
and entered an order that one of the coro~
ners Of the county shall summon grand |
jury to be present ON Wednesday, the 10Th |
Instant, at 9. 80 a. m.
In Its publication of the report of the |
expert THE NEWS SAID:
Perhaps 1t is the duty of the Prosecutor
Of the Pleas to get busy on this case and |
to consult with the Supreme Court JUS
tice in order that the line of work to be
out will not be left to the last
minute. OF course we have ideas on such
matters that do not coincide with those of |
The Prosecutor. We think he should take
the Initiative In cases where there is a
plain duty to perform and not wait until
makes complaint and practically
urges him forward"
In conversation with the Prosecutor, in
the presence of witnesses, that official said /
he had discussed this matter with Judge
Voorhees, I'm e0ery phase of It," and when
asked II he had suggested to the Judge |
that 1t would create criticism If Sheriff |
Jordan drew the jury, the same reply was
given II that was correct 1t seems rather
strange that the proceedings of this
should have resulted as they did. |
Some of Sheriff Jordan's personal friends
suggested to him, that for his own credit, |
he ought to apply for an order for some
one else to draw this jury. but he did not
take the advice and we have condition |
today that Is not pleasant to all con-
The Prosecutor stated that Mr.. |
Palmer had anticipated him In challenging
the jury, but he might have anticipated |
Mr.. Palmer II, when he discussed this |
matter In all its phases" he had put par
ticular stress upon this especial matter. |
AS 1t was "a gentlemen were called from |
their business to be placed In position |
which, while not In any way compromising |
them, certainly cannot make them feel |
at all comfortable, as they were the first |
members of grand jury to be challenged |
In Burlington county and to be set aside, |
not through any acts of their own but be-
cause Of the stringency of the law which |
should have been known to those who are |
entrusted with carrying out its provisions. |
Quality goods at popular prices at |