Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-10-09
M'CRUDDEN" IS
STILL A MAN OF
MUCH MYSTERY
Doesn't Appear at the County
Clerks Hearing ON Wilson
Democrats Petitions.
DECISION ON VALIDITY OF
NOMINATIONS RESERVED
Testimony Shows That Many
Affidavits Were Secured by
Fraudulent Means.

County Clerk Joseph McDonough
sat as court for three hours yes
terday afternoon and listened to wit
nesses and arguments against his re-
ceiving the petitions of the county
candidates who had selected the
designation of Wilson Democrats
and also against his receiving the
petition of John McCrudden," for
alderman in the Fourth ward.
The mysterious John McCrudden"
! didn't answer to his notice TO be
present, and those waiting to see what
he looked like were disappointed.
There We're other candidates who re-
ceived notice who didn't put in an
appearance, either. In fact there was
only one candidate to show up, that
being Edward r. Rust, the candidate
for register.
After hearing witnesses and argu-
ment for counsel both for and against
his receiving the petitions the county
| clerk announced that he would not
make a decision until some time next
week, after he has had a chance to
go over the stenographic copy of the
testimony.
The hearing, which was long drawn
out, due to the objections entered by
Eugene Fl. Meyer, counsel for the
candidates who selected the Wilson
Democrat designation and for John
McCruddeu, aldermanic candidate,
was very interesting and the specta-
tors, who crowded into the private
office of the county clerk, did not
leave until the hearing was con-
cluded.
Witnesses introduced by William j
Fn col ff.aa 1.Z 1sas
Democratic candidates for register
and for members of the Board OF
Freeholders who filed the objection
against the reception of the petitions
of the Wilson Democrats testified
that their signatures had been Sc
cured by fraudulent means and that
they had also been paid for attaching
! their signatures TO the petitions in
question.
1t was also brought out that these
signatures had been secured by mer
who are active in the counsels of the
Republican party and who are at tho
| present time or have been in the pasi
! Republican oftice-holders.
70 further show that the petitions
| were filed in bad faith affidavits were
| produced by Mr.. McTague to show
| that the oath which is required on al
! petitions had never been taken by the
persons whom it is alleged had sworn
that they knew all of the signers on
the various petitions filed.
Mr.. Meyer, counsel for the candi-
dates who adopted the Wilson Demo
| crat" designation, objected to the pro.
ceedings on the ground that the
county clerk did not have jurisdic-
tion in the matter and that as the pc
titions were filed in good faith by the
candidates the actions of certain in
diVidual signers could not be used to
show that fraud had been pra cticcd
and that the petitions could not be
declared invalid for that reason.
Tie objected to the introduction of
the affidavits unless 1t could be proven
that it was impossible to produce the
persons who made same ut the hear
ing. and also objected to Mr.. McTague
appearing in the case ON the ground
that he was an interested party. being
a member of the County Board OF
Elections. and had not produced proof
that he had been retained as counsel
in the matter.
Mr.. McTague replied by stating that
two of his clients were in the room.
and then he demanded that Mr.. Meyer
produce his clients or some documen-
tary proof that he had right to rep
resent them. County. Clerk Nc
Donough ended the tilt by stating he
would allow counsel to bring out any
facts in the case that might help him
III reaching a decision.