Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-12
HEDGES no TRY ELECTION CASES.
Roosevelt Has Him Named, ana
Gardiner VIII Help Him.
(New York Journall

Governor Roosevelt through Attorney
General Davies. has appointed Job f.
Hedges special Deputy Attorney General
20 take charge of the prosecution OF me
election fraud cases which are 10 be pre-
scented TO the special grand jury. now IN
session. and also the extraordinary term
of the Supreme Court which is to meet
on November 22d, Justice Werner pre-
siding.
District-Attorney Gardiner did not con-
ceal his establishment when Mr.. Hedges
appeared in his Offices yesterday and
handed him this document:
HEDGES CREDENTIALS.
State of New York,
Attorney Generals Office.
Albany. November 9, 1899
Job f.. Hedges. Esq:
"Sir.-Having been. in pursuance OF
sections 81 and 81 Of the Executive law,
required by his Excellency Governor
Theodore Roosevelt. TO attend in person
or by representative before the trial term
of the Supreme Court, now being held by
the Hon. Edgar l.. Fursman. Justice OF
the Supreme Court. and the grand jury
in attendance at said court, and also the
Court Of General Sessions. and the grand
jury i'm attendance thereat, both OF said
courts being held in the Criminal Court
building In the Borough of Manhattan.
court taking cognizance of alleged viola
lions of the primary election laws, and
Of any other crimes or misdemeauOrs
committed I'm connection with such al
legged violations in the County OF New
York, l hereby appoint and assign you
Deputy Attorney General for the purpose
of managing and conducting any criminal
action or proceeding touching any al
legged violations OF the primary or cleo
York during the months OF September.
October, and November, 1899. or any other
crimes or msdemeanOrs committed I'm
connection with such alleged violations.
Yours very truly, J.,C. DAVIES.
Attorney General"
Colonel Gardiner read the document.
Then he handed it back to Mr.. Hedges,
and said
This is most extraordinary, Mr..
Hedges but / am glad TO meet you. and
assure you that L shall aid you I'm every
way l can. The law is very plain and
there is nothing for me to do bat obey
It,"
GRAND JURY ADJOURNS.
Mr. Hedges went before the grand jury,
accompanied by Deputy Attorney-General
Coyne, and asked the jury TO adjourn
until next Wednesday so as to give him
al NDlRA ANiAAAy " fNaliiAf htA iilI W.
dence. The request was granted. Mr..
Hedges consulted with Superintendent
Of-ElectiOns McCullagh.
HAS you appointment been made as
an indication that Colonel Gardiner is to
be removed from officer" was asked OF
Mr. Hedges.
Il do not SO understand IT, l am to
prosecute the election cases. That is my
sole duty, as / understand it. Colonel
Gardeners standing as District Attorney
has nothing to do with these cases, that
l know Of"
Colonel Gardeners friends say that the
appointment under section 81 OF the Ex-
ecutive law is reflection by the Cover
nor and Attorney General upon the Dis
trict Attorney, especially as that official
has been served with charges cOntem-
plating his removal from Office. This
section provides that If the Governor
fears that prosecutions for election
frauds are not 10 be zealously conducted
he shall instruct the Attorney-Generf
to appoint a deputy TO supervise such
prosecutions as counsel to the Supern-
tendent OF Elections"
Colonel Gardiner said, when asked n
he considered the appointment OF Mr..
Hedges a reflection upon himself:
Il do not see any political significance
in it. i could hardly have taken charge
Of the cases before the Special Sessions
grand jury"