New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
THE HAZEL CASE ARGUED
BAR ASSOCIATIONS PROTEST PRESENT
ED TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
THE CHARACTER OF THE FEDERAL
JUDICIARY-HAzELs SUPPORT
ERS ALSO HEARD
[BT TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIRrNE. ]

Frs ALSO HEARD
BY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, June "A subcommittee of the
Senate Judiciary Committee consisting of
Messrs. Davis, Thurston and Pettus. again de-
voted several hours this morning TO hearing ar
guments on John r. Hazel's fitness for a Fed
eral district judgeship. final opportunity
given both to the committee representing the
Bar Association of New-York to file that body's
deliberate and earnest protest against the low
ering Of judicial standards involved in Mr..
Hazels appointment. and to various Buffalo
and Western New-York indorsers of the nom
inee's application papers to substant1ate their
faith in his latent-or at least somewhat unde-
veloped-judicial qualifications.
MR. CHOATE PRESENTS THE PROTEST.
The Bar Associations deIegation-R w De
Forest, William G. Choate. William E. Cur
It's and H. ". Taft-presented through Mr..
Choate spokesman. the report adopted by the
association Thursday night condemntng the
nomination of Mr. Hazel as one unjustified by
any proper measure of professional attainments.
The report had already been published in full IN
The Tribune. and had reached the sub-comrlit
tees attention, although unofffcially. Mr..
Choate, in offering the protest. dwelt briefly on
the non-political and non partisan character of
the Bar Associations action, and made it
tirely clear that its only object in opposing Mr..
HazePs confirmation was TO maintain the level
of character and fitness hitherto set in appoint
ments to the district bench in New-York-
He also referred to the paragraphs in the re-
port which dwelt on Mr.. HazeIs connection
with the sale of the yacht Enquirer TO the Gov
eminent. and said that they had been inserted
after an examination Of the testimony presented
to the association. TO which Mr.. Hazels de-
tenders had at the time had opportunity to
reply. Apart. however, from the yacht sale
transaction. the Bar Association found ample
ground to condemn Mr.. Hazel's nomination as
a deroralizing departure from all rules which
should govern appointments TO the Federal
bench. On this Judgment Of the association as
a body of lawyers Interested only in maintain
ing the traditions of their profession. the pro-
testants rested their case
SUPPORTERS OF HAZEL HEARD.
After Mr. Choate had finished, a delegation Of
Mr. HazeIs supporters from Buffalo was heard
REPRESENTATIVE Alexander headed the party. and
introduced each speaker to the subcommittee
T. C. Becker a former law partner of Mr.. Hazel
assumed the greater share of the burden Of
proving Mr.. Hazel accomplished and expert
enced lawyer, receiving some support in this
hercuIean endeavor from Justices Hatch. Ken
ehck Woodward and Hooker, and from ex-
Judge Lewis Of the Buffalo Municipal Court
Several of the speakers laid great stress on Mr.
HazeTs early poverty excusing his lack Of
college education of later all around legal
training. Justice Quackenbush demonstrated
that Mr.. Hazel had been engaged so far in at
least five cases IN the State courts, and, ex-
Judge Lewis. who formerly presided over a
tribunal with Jurisdiction in cases involving
$500 or less, declared that Mr.. Hazers firm had
shown great activity IN his court.
0taT Of Re
Bar Associations Of the Enquirer scandal
in its formal protest to the committee, A1r. De
Forest made brief reply similar in tone to
Mr.. Choate's earlier explanation Of the asso-
cations attitude toward that transaction
HAzEL's STORY OF THE YACHT SALE
MI Hazers friends also filed an affidavit from
the nominee himself. showing his connection
with the sale OF the Enquirer.
II recites preliminary facts the talk n New
York of the necessity for protection from Ger
vera's fleet. which had left the Canary Islands,
and the advice given by commercial bodies.
Mr.. Hazel says that as result Of his consulta-
ton with the owner OF the yacht W. J. Con-
ners. whom he had known for many years, he
was employed by Mr.. Corners to place the mat
ter before the then existing Auxiliary Board.
He found that several members OF the Board
were acquainted with the Enquirer. After a
short description of the Yacht and a statement
of her seaworthiness the aftiant proceeds 10 re-
peat the remark of the chairman OF the Auxth-
airy Board. that she not heavy enough for
torpedo purposes, but would do very well for
mosquito fleet. The affidavit proceeds 10 say
that thereafter the Naval Appropriation
bill passed. and the Government considered
the purchase OF yachts for the protection of
New-York and other Atlantic harbOrs At Mr.
Conners's request he appeared before the Auxili-
airy Board a number of times II was stated
to him by various members OF the Board that
whenever the Government ordered the establish
ment OF mosquito fleet the Enquirer would be
purchased, condition that the would
enlarge her coal bunkers. Pending negotiations,
the Government ordered inspection CT the
yacht at Buffalo, under ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Patch and Commander Dickson. Soon he
informed that they had recommended the pUr
chase for $4,000. Because the Naval ApprOpri-
alton bill had passed the yacht not I'M
mediately purchased. The purchase was con-
sunluated he examined the necessary papers.
delivered the Enquirer at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard and received the vouchers and check
drawn TO the order OF W J. Connars. He
swears that there was no reduction OF S15O 900
any payment of this any other sum, to any
person, and the entire purchase price was paid
Mr.. Corners the result Of the appraisal
II was conducted in all respects properly. He
AYERS that deemed his services, inclusive Of
expenses. worth $4,000 which Mr.. Corners paid
him, and which he has never concealed.
Senator Depew was present during a part OF
the hearing before the subcommittee. Senator
Plat did appear