The times., 1899-06-09
ARREST OF JOHN POPE HoDNET.
Taken Into Custody on Suspicion of
Insanity.

John Pope Hodnet, forty-seven years
old, well-known as an attorney, labor
leader, and editor, was arrested yesterday
shortly before noon and Is held at No. l
station pending an examination before a
marshals jury to determine his mental
condition. The arrest was made at the
Department of Justice by Detective Helan
on the complaint of Charles o. L. Cooper,
Private Secretary to Attorney General
Griggs. 1t appears that Hodnet has been
frequently annoying the Attorney General
by his persistent efforts to gain an aud
ience with him on business connected with
the labor organizations of the country.
Shortly after his arrest Hodnet sent for
Attorney Campbell Darlington. and it is
probable that he will appear for the
prisoner when he is arraigned.
Hodnet lived in this city for a number
of years previous to taking up his residence
at Jersey City, n. j., where he was until
lately editor of the Jersey City Chroni-
Gle" During his residence at Washington
Hodnet was active as supporter of or
ganized labor. He also practiced law, and
though he confined himself in the main 10
Police Court practice, he was recognized
as a brilliant man and an orator of no
mean ability, He is probably one OF the
best known labor men in the country.
| Little has been heard OF him in this city
since he left it about ten years ago until
recently, when he began a correspondence
with the Treasury Department about the
disposition of labor appropriation.
The appropriation was for $4,000, for
the relief of certain laboring men. Re-
Gently Hodnet had addressed several let
tiers to the Treasurer OF the United States
and the Secretary of the Treasury, in
which he is said to have set forth that only
/ a portion of the appropriation had been
utilized as intended. He is said to have
! claimed that $40 600 of the amount had not
been disbursed by the Treasurer for some
unaccountable reason. Hodnet appears not
to have been satisfied with the answers to
| his letters, and for that reason communi-
Gated with the Department of Justice in the
| hope of learning if something could be
! done in regard TO the money.
| He called at the department several
| times, requesting on each occasion to- be
allowed to see the Attorney General. He
stated the nature OF his business each
| time he called and was regarded as a
| crank and was not admitted. He was not
| daunted, however, by the rebuffs, and per
sisted in his efforts TO see Mr.. Griggs until
! the police were finally asked to interfere.
The result was that Detective Helan was
sent to the department to await the CON-
| ing of Hodnet yesterday. When the man
/ appeared he made the usual ueinaHu lor
an audience with the Attorney General,
and when denied stated that he would ap-
ply for q writ of mandamus to be served
on the Attorney General compelling him
to show cause why he would not see Hod-
net 1t was at this juncture that Detec-
tive Hean interfered and took the man 10
headquarters. Hodnet did not resist and
conversed nationally on the way to de-
tective headquarters. Arrived there, how
ever. he suddenly became irrational. He
also talked to himself as though obliv.ous
to the fact that he had an audience. At
one time he said: No. sir, will not do
IT, There is no position in the gift OF the
Government that could tempt me to accept
a position in the Cabinet or the appoint
ment of Collector of Customs for the city
of New York l was offered the uomina-
ton for Congress from New York, but de-
clned 1t in favor of Gen. Benjamin F.
Tracey"