Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-21
JUSTICE HOOkER'S CASE
Considered by the Bar Association Of
Jamestown, N. Y.

Albany, N. Y, Jan. 2O.-The formal
charges of the Bar Association of
jamestown against Supreme Court
Justice Hooker. presented to President
Milburll of the State Ear Association
nov in session here were brought be-
fore the association, this afternoon,
and discussed.
The charges are introduced by res
olutioE directing the president and sec
rotary to bring them before the State
Association. They quote the report of
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow relative to alleged irregulari-
ties IT, the post office ut Dunkirk and
Fredonia, with reference to appoint
ments and rentals of post office build
ings. Ii is then related that Justice
Hooker is IL resident of FrcdOn1a, that
he resigned his membership in Con-
gross to become justice of the supreme
court of this State and that nj. III. Tay-
lor. named in General BristoW's report.
has for :, long time been Il political
adherent of Justice Hooker and was
Amounted postmaster ut Dunkirk upon
Justice Uooker's recommendation"
It is further stated that Justice
11Ookt'l Ntto, dtiltl oli Va tiiN Wv nv =
of the post Office building in Dunkirk,
alleged to nave been the subject OF eX-
ccssjve rental, 1.-The other owner being
the Hon. Lester +. Stcrne, who is
named in the report. 1t is commonly
stated as Il fact, and we believe cor
rcctly, that the maurice Hooker re-
fcrrcd to in the statement cited, is u
nephew of Justice Hooker and during
the whole or some portion of the time
mentioned in the report the said Maui
rice Hooker was attending school in
the said village of FredOnia.
"IiDon inquiry Mr.. Arthur r. Moore
states that draft was drawn upon
him as stated in the report of the as
sistant postmaster general, but that he
declined to pay and did not pay it. We
believe Mr.. Moore to be entirely credi-
bic and it is to be observed that the re-
port, although stating that the draft
was Paid. does not say Mr.. Moore paid
the draft.
"Immcdiately upon the publication OF
the report" says the document local
public attention was greatly directed to
the foregoing statements therein and to
,neir approval by the president, and il
was vchemcntiy charged that Justice
Hooker was either the person primarily
responsible for the acts referred to or
that they could not have been committed
without his consent.
These charges during the past two
months have assumed such definiteness;
and form in the public press and other
wise as to create 4 public scandal.
The members of this association con
Ceivcd that as an individual, Justice
Hooker was entitled to meet these charges
at such time and in such manner as APP
proved themselves to him and that as al.
individual if he chose to remain silent il
was Il matter which need not in the least
concern us.
I'VE believe, however. that if these ac-
cuSationS were true. he was unfit to re
main longer upon the bench. and if I'M
tdue. he should be supported by his
brethren Of the bar in every proper
WY"
ronirhts banquet closed the session of
tn" State Bar Association. Among th'
speakers was Hon W. l.. Pencld. solicit
or Of the state department ut Washing
ton.