Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-18
IN STATE PRISON.
District Attorney Jerome Would
There Place Dick Garfield.
Sensational Hearing at Albany on
Bowling Witness Bill.
Outcome Of Jerome's Gamb.ino Raids
at New York.

Albany, n. Y, March 1T want 20
put Richard Garfield in state prison
and l want Reginald Vanderbilt of
New York as Il witness to help me do
it," declared District Attorney VIM.
Tr3Verse Jerome to the Senate codes
committee, today, in an additional
hearing which was given on the Dow
ling witness bill.
The bill makes it possible for q Wit
ness to give testimony without having
his evidence used against him and elm-
mates the excuse of declining to testi-
fly through fear of discriminating him
self. 1t was for the purpose of giving
District Attorney jerome an oppcrru-
nifty of expressing his views on the pro-
priety OF the amendments that the bill
was recolnmitted and q hearing given,
today.
The sensational debate in the Senate
the other day and the subsequent COM
| mcntS of District Attorney Jerome
| caused many to anticipate an exciting
hearing and there was no disappont-
| ment. Mr.. Jerome first told the COM
mittee that the amendments would ut
terly destroy the effect OF the bill and
that if the measure We're enacted in its
present form it would give immunity to
Richard Garfield and would permit him
to ENJOY another season OF prosperity
at Saratoga.
Senator Elsberg. chairman OF the
committee. said that he looked at it
from the standpoint OF a witness who
has 4 constitutional protection, and he
was not anxious to enact or to assist
in erecting n law that would alter con-
stitutional rights.
Mr.. Jerome said he had found OBJ
structions placed in his way from the
beginning.
Now continued Mr.. Jerome. Can
field is not the only one in New York
| that l am after. There are seven OH
er just such places in New York city
where it is impossible for the rolice TO
get in or for anyone else, except they
secure an introduction or have a card
from some safe person."
Senator Elsburg remarked that he
had received letters from certain club
NEIL protesting against the enactment
OF the measure. Let us understand
each other he said. There is no con-
sideratiOn here for Garfield
Then why not give me Il chance to
prosecute him. to send him to states
PRISON. asked Mr. jerome.
"Canfield will not stand trial He will
not endanGer the prominent men who
have patrOniZed his resorts iii New
York and Saratoga. He has already Of
terred to plead guilty if he could get
off with Il line or a suspended sentence.
But We don't propose to let down on
him
I'VE can always agree" said Mr..
Elsberg, IF you will present your ar
guments to the committee instead Of
publishing statements in the newspa-
pers.''
Mr.. Jerome replied that he had found
that oftimes the Legislature did not
clearly perceive it's duty until there
had been newspaper comment.
when / find a Legislature not dis
posed to enact bill to assist me in
prosecuting an eX-convict and gam
bier. it does not cOnduCc to my respect
for the Legislature. All of us holding
public office. are n little off for being
lacked up occasionally and being
watched carefully"
The hearing was then concluded.