The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-30
BUREAU OF The SENTINEL,
1920 NEW YORK-AYE.. y. W.,
W ---<~- n y N.ob o.

BUREAU OF THE SENTINEL
1920 NEW YORK-AyE.. n. W.,
WAsHINGroN, d. c., March q.
The action OF the senate committee on judi
ciary in emitting from the pamphlet containing
the evidence in the Woods case the formal
defenses prepared for the committee mas at
tracted a good deal of attention here. II is
understood that Judge Woods, in one of his
communications to Senator Hoar, as chairman
of the committee. actually admitted that ne
himself drew up an indictment. caused it to be
returned into his court passed upon its
sufficieney and presided the trial OF
the defendants, some of whom were convicted
and sent to the penitentiary. Not only this
but it is said. Judge Woods insists, IN black
and white, that there was nothing wrong in
this conduct. and shows that he is unable to
distinguish between the functions Of judge
and those OF prosecutor. Ii is not thought
strange that the senators who reported his
nomination faYorsbly after reading these COM
munications have taken pains that the country
shouId not see them. But the suppression Of
ehem will probably lead to public investiga-
ton Of the Woods Dudley scandal by the
house. An Indiana member will move such an
snvestigation this week, and II will no doubt be
ordered.
THE SENTINEL correspondent made an
effort tonight TO see every member OF the SEN
ate committee on judiciary IN order TO ascertain,
II possible, whether Judge Woods two state
ments in answer 30 the charges made against
him had been laid before that committee or
whether any member of the committee with
The exception OF Senator Hoar TO whom the
statements sent by Judge Woods) had
seen the documents in question.
senator Hoar's Evasions.
Senator Hoar, the chairman of the commit
tee, was first seen and was asked whether he
had received any communications from Judge
Woods in answer to the charges made against
him. and if so, whether the statements were
laid before the committee formally or before
individual members thereof
well. those are things members of the CON-
Tnittee judiciary do not care to discuss"
said the Massachusetts senator.
yes, senator, but the Injunction of secrecy
has been removed BY action of the senate, as |
understand it." said the correspondent.
ION some things, but not on al, said Mr..
Hoar. Il made the motion myself to remove
che injunction of secrecy, orally, and it iu-
cluded the testimony adduced from the wit
nesses brought before the committee as well as
certain exhibits that had already been printed.
The senate also agreed to give to the public the
vote By which Judge Woods was confirmed. /
should think, though, that an intelligent paper
like The SENTINEL would know without ask
ing that IL Judge Woods had sent on any state
ments in his own defense they would certainly
be laid before the committee which was 10 pass
Judgment on the merits of his nomination"
YES said the correspondent, that would
of course be the natural presumption, but The
SENTINEL has some ground for making this
inquiry because Judge Woods two statements
which are known to have been sent by him,
do not appear in the printed volume OF testi-
mony taken before by tine committee, while
other exhibits 90 appear And further, il is
understood that some OF the minority members
Of the judiciary committee declare that they
never saw any such statements made by Judge
Woods"
Said Mr. Hoar: "Well, OF course can't speak
for every member OF the committee. I can not
even say from my own knowledge whether
the statements we're laid before the committee.
Without knowing certainly whether they were
or not, / should presume that they were, as
Senator Wilson of Iowa, who was at the head
OF the judiciary committee during my sickness,
and who had charge OF the Woods matter is a
very pAinstaking and conscientious man, and
does not often neglect even matters OF trifling
importance with which he has to deal. Was
laid up for six weeks with my eyes and the
communications that received bearing on the
case were handed By me to the clerk of the
committee. who called at my house to get
them, and presume that they were handed by
HIN 70 the proper person on the committee.
received some communications from Judge
Woods and also some other personal letters
concerning the nomination"
But can you say TO TIE SENTINEL why
these statements from Judge Woods were not
included IN the volume of printed testimony
Before answering this question Senator Hoar
thought for moment. "Well, you must un-
cerstand." saiG he, that not all of the docu-
ments bearing on case where charges have
been preferred against an RppOintee to be
given to the public. i guess | have about a
barrel of personal letters that have been adj
dressed to me concerning federal appoint
ments. but they have never been published.
As said before. did not take active part
In the committee work on the Woods case.
ha oh Ia 10 falf
Of the details than could"
Are you at liberty to give the contents of
those communications from Judge Woods
which you reeeiv we'd from him?
mo. sir" said he. II could not"
Senator Hoar positively declined to disclose
the character OF Judge Woods communiea.
tioBs. and branched of into a discussion of the
political bearing of the Woods affair In the In
diana campaign. declaring It 10 be his opinion
that no votes would be influenced either way
On account OF the matter.
senator Piatt DisoIoses Nothing.
Senator Platt was next visited at his apart
ments at the Arlington hotel
Senator, TIE INDIANAPOLIS SENTINEL.
would like to know whether ths statements
made by Judge Woods in his defense and in
answer 10 tbeschsrges made against him were
formally laid before the senate judiciary CON-
Mite, or, if not. whether any individual men,
hers OF the committee saw those documents"
II don't know that can discuss this matter"
said Dir. Plaft
''The understanding is that the Injunction of
secrecy is removed Senator Hoar acknowi-
edges this and also acknowledges having
handed the statements from Judge Woods 10
the clerk Of the committee, but whether they
we're laid before the committee or not he can
not say certainly, az he absent from the
committee meetings most Of the time" said the
correspondent.
Well, can only say that saw the state
Inents." said slr. Platt. Il can not speak for
others. Ny impression is however, that all OF
the members saw thsm or could have done 30
had they desired. asked the clerk Of the