New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-04
STATE APOLOGIES BY TELEPHONE.
AN INTERESTING DISTANCE CONVEX
sATION OVER THE RELEASE OF THE
EMBEZZLER CHRISTIANSEN.

The Attornev-G General Of Michigan held long
conversation over the long distance telephone from
Lansing with District-Attorney Olcott yesterday III
regard to the action OF the Sherin and Prosecuting
Attorney of Lenawee County who released here sup
posedly for a money payment. Anton Christiansen'
the embezzer arrested here reQuisition papers
from the Governor Of Michigan, and turned over
to them by the New-York police
The Michigan Attorney-General told Mr.. Oicott
that Governor Pingree present with him ana
shared the responsibility for any remarks he made
Then he said that the State Of Michigan apoiogized
to the State Of New-York for the il-advised ana
improper conduct OF the officials OF Lenawee County
I'm releasing Christensen. and declared that the
State of Michigan repudiated it. Next he asked II
Mr. Olcott was going to give up Christensen
Mr. Olcott replied that he did not know what
Governor Black was going 10 do about the matter
but that he (fr. OlcotD had advised the Governor
not to do So Christensen was not a fugitive from
Justice as he had been released from custody by
the Michigan authorities after being turned over to
them Then Mr.. Olcott asked on his part what the
Michigan people were going to do about the reqli-
sition made by Governor Black for Sheriff Fergu-
son, who allowed Christensen to escape
The Attorney General said that II Mr.. olco..
would not turn over christensen ne was "i'ai'
they would have TO keep Ferguson
Mr. Olcott asked the Attorney-General TO take no
action until he received letter which ne tSr
OlcotU proposed sending to-day. and IN which he
fully set forth his views. Mr.. Olcott said ne ola not
want to punish Ferguson severely. but would II ne
were returned here for trial, ask the Court 10 I'M
pose q nominal fine What he wanted to DO was 10
establish precedent.
The Attorney General agreed to the request ana
said that new requisIton papers would be sent here
for Christensen Then after expressions OF mu-
tuaI good will had been made each side the coh-
versation ended
The letter was dispatched by Mr.. Olcott ia'et
AZ.
his contention that Chrstiansen even if ne were
arrested. would at once be released by the Su-
preme Court as not being fugitive from justice
Michgan's accredited representatives having volun-
ariy libeyated him and permitted him to leave her
penal jurisdiction. "As to the question as 10
whether Governor Pingree will honor Governor
Blacks requistion for Sheriff Ferguson the letter
continued, II take the liberty OF expressing the
hope that he will. The offence Of permitting the
escape without legal Justification although with
out criminal intent (Which is misdemeanor under
our law) undoubtedly committed. and our
criminal process used for the collection or a
civil claim, although necessary allegation OF the
use would be had permitted OF our Governor s
warrant for surrender. We have no feeling in the
matter and do not urge Fergusons surrender be-
Of any desire to punish him. but only for the
vindlcation of the principle involved. II you re-
fuse TO honor requistion for Ferguson, | fear
that X would look though States were at
odds about this important principle"