The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-02
RAY ON GRlGGS' BILL.
HE OPPOSES MEASURE DESIGNED
TO REACH THE GAYNORS.

Calls New 4 DIX LEW Uoou
MES Holding the Senate Report
and Asks Attorney General About
"a Published Interview.
From the Baltimore Sun.
Washington, April 29.-Judge Ray of
New York, chairman of the House Com
mttee on the Judiciary, is thoroughly
aroused over the charge that he is hold
ing up the bill designed to remedy the
defect in the present law relating to the
extraditon from one state to another of
persons indicted for offenses against the
federal government. While Judge Ray
Indignantly denies that he has used any
means to hold up the bill, he does not at
tempt to conceal his opposition to the BILL
1t is bill openly acknowledged to have
been drawn for the purpose of reaching
the Gaynors and others connected with
the Oberlin NJ. Carter case, who were in
dicted in Savannah. but for whom ex-
tradition was refused by Judge Brown of
New York.
Il do not believe in the making of spe-
cial laws to affect individuals" said Judge
Ray. If we once enter into the bust
ness of passing special acts whenever the
general law does not apply there Is no
telling where it will stop. The law as it
stands on the statute books lis a good
one and has satisfactorily stood the test
of 100 years. l have practiced law in New
York thirty years and seen this law in
operation and I am convinced 1t Is
salutary measure. Il provides that when
party is indicted in another state
prima facie case must be made against
him in the courts in New York before he
can be extradited. 1t is much more rea-
sonable for state to take it's witnesses
or present the necessary evidence before
a New York court than to compel anyone
who might be unfortunate enough to be
indicted to return to the state where the
indictment was rendered and defend a
suit
Would Harm Innocent Persons.
''In my opinion the bill which is now be-
fore the committee will ope the way.
should it be passed. for a !. cat deal of
trouble and annoyance to innocent indivd-
uals. Suppose some prominent man, the
head of a railroad or other corporation,
goes to some far-off state and while there
offends some one. The latter party goes
before the grand jury and on ex parte evil
dence, and with the assistance of the dis
trict attorney. who naturally is DESTROYS
of presenting the case in the strongest
possible light, secures from the grand jury
an indictment. No matter how honest
the men on the grand jury may be they
are bound to be influenced by local envi-
ronment and their sympathies to be tinged
with local coloring. AS a result they say
that pretty fair case has been made
against the alleged offender and that any,
way If he is innocent he can easily estab-
fish that fact, so as matter of precaut;on
they return an indictment
Now If the alleged offender lives in New
York 1t is at present necessary that IL
<hOlll6 n he
of the district judge that there have been
good grounds for an Indictment Not nee
essarly that the man is undoubtedly
guilty, but that there have been reasona-
BILE grounds for the belief that he may be
guilty, and then he may be extradited
But IL the judge believes there is nothing
in the case, as in the case of Judge Brown
he may refuse 10 honor the request for ex-
tradition This is wealthy government
and 1t can well afford all the expenses
necessary to a fair and impartial admin
istration of its laws. 1t can stand the ex-
pense of taking its witnesses and having
a hearing in New York a great deal bet
ter than an innocent individual can the ex-
pense of defending a suite instituted
through malice"
hearing is to be given on Friday TO
the Georgia authoritis.s who are endeav-
oring to have the bi1 passed, so they
may obtain possession of the Gaynors and
also to the New York parties Interested
in defeating the bill. After that Il will be
taken up by the committee and Judge
Ray will probably oppose Ii with a view
of obtaining. an unfavorable report
| Should the bill be reported favorably
Judge Ray will carry the fight
| against II TO the floor, even in opposition
! to his own committee. II has already
| passed the Senate, and unless stopped in
the House the Gaynors will have to return
| TO Savannah and stand trial
Griggs' Letter to Ray.
Since the publication in the Sun of the
4 report made by Attorney General Griggs.
| giving the reasons why the department OF
| justice desired the passage of the bill.
| Judge Ray addressed letter to him call
| ing on him for some personal informa-
| ton. He asked what steps had been TAX
en- TO secure che arrest and transfer of
| the Gaynors and Benjamin ID. Green to
| Georgia for trial since the decision OF Jus
tice Brown; whether il is the purpose of
| the United States authorities to proceed
under existing law and present to the
United States courts in New York any
evidence showing probable cause to be-
| lieve said persons are guilty of the Of
| fenses charged In the indictments; If not,
| the reasons for not so proceeding; wheth-
| err or not the Attorney General has pub
| licly Stated or stated for the public press
that the decision of Justice Brown was
| "unwarranted by the law and the facts, 1"
and IT, in the opinion of the Attorney Cen
eral, such decision was not warranted by
the law or facts. may the error be cor
rected on appeal.
To this Mr.. Griggs replied that he had
taken no steps 90 secure the arrest and
transfer OF the defendants except to rec
Ommcnd the passage of the bill which