The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-28
CITY BAR SAYS INVESTIGATE.
HOOkER, IF THE FACTS AGAINST
mn STAND, - UNFIT.
strong Resolutions Passed Without
Dissentient Vote and Will he sent
30 the speaker or the House--No Poll.
ties In 1t BROOKLYN Lawyers ACT 1'o-da,

D
passed last night without dissenting vote
set of resolutions which condtionally
condemn Justice Warren y Hooker Of the
Supreme Court "a unfit 10 continue 20 hold
judicial oifice. and affirm that sufficient
cause exists TOR his removal from Office by
concurrent resolution Of both houses Of the
Legislature. or for his impeachment by
the Assembly
The condition Oh which ,hi. action Of
;be Bar Association ia based is that the
facts unanimously found to exist by the
grievance COMMITTEES OF the State Bar As
ISOLATION, whose report was adopted by
that association. are established after in
yestigation by the Legislature.
That the matter may be brought promptly
70 the attention OF the Legislature. II was
also resolved that committee be APP
pointed 20 transmit the preamble and
resolutions 10 the Speaker Of the Assembly.
with the request that there be immediate
reference TO the proper committee for
action.
The mcetingat which this drastic measure
was adopted was q special one, called in
nedlately after the action Of the State Bar
Association. withdrawing Justice Hooker
by narrow majority in what has been
| described by leading lawyers OF the state as
packed meeti e of the S-ate Bar Associa-
don The petition calling this epecial
meeting was signed by all the former presl-
dents Of the MS sooiation in the city and by
the most eminent members Of the bar here,
irrespective Of political affiliations.
A. soon as this action OF The New York
CITY Bar Association became known, jus
t.ce Hooker wrote 4 letter 10 the Legis-
ature asking Tor an investigation. Il was
then evident that such reque,, was bound
to como TO that body from TIE New York
association A. soon az the special meeting
was held
II was $50 o'clock last evening when the
meeting was called TO order in the asso
cations assembly hall, at ~ West Forty
fourth street Elihu Root is the president
Of the association but he has been confined
to his house for several days with heavy
cold and was unable TO be present. In his
absence Jalien 4. Davies, one Of the vice
presidents. was called to the chair.
The resolution regarding Justice Hooker
was introduced by Edward Mitchell and
seconded by Paul D. Cravath. Only three
speeches were made but all Of these were
very strong in their condemnation of the
action OF the State Bar Association with
reference 10 the grievance committee's
report on the Hooker case Every one of
the speakers was a Republican They
were George W, Wckersham Henry l.
stlmeon and Theron @. Strong, Tic
Democrats IN the association took no part
IN the proceedings whatever except 20
cast their votes Mr.. Mitchell who intro
duced the resolutions. and Mr. Cravath
who seconded them, are both Republicans
II was determined that there should not
he the slightest ground for the assertion
TINT there was political par'isanship hack
OF the associations action
The drift OF all the speeches WIS that the
state Bar Association by is action had put
it-elf on record ns having 10 higher standard
OF the judicial propriety than had Justice
Hooker himself and that the Bar Association
OF the City OF New York did not, by It's
silence, purpose toaccept such standard "a
its own. All the speakers were warmly
cheered, and when Vice President Mitchell
put the question the resolutions were
unanimously carried. The entire proceed
ings lasted only about an hour.
The resolutions are preceded by a pre-
pnibe Of five typewriter pages. covering
the entire ~ cord Of the Hooker case, inolud-
ing the report OF the STATE Bar Assooia-
tons grievance committee, the action Of
the State Bar Association On that report.
and finally. the recently published letter
Of j. -tioe Hooker asking for an investiga-
ton.
Then iollow The resolutions the name
q the committee 10 be appointed
Icing left blank. Mr. Root viii FL them
IN a. soon az possible. The resolutions.
emitting the preamble say
Aud Whereas this assocs ton was created
mainly for the purpose Of maintaining the
honor ind dignity Of the profession OF tbs
Law" and Increasing its usefulness IN pro-
noting tho due administration OF Justice.
Resolrcd. That in the opinion Of this assoc
citation the facts 80 unanimously found
by the grievance committee OF the state
Bar Association. whose report was adopted
by the State Bar Association itself. require
prompt ard searching legislative lnvesti-
CATION
RcsOircd That H. upon such stgation.
such fact, shall be- established the conduct
OF Mr.. Justice Hooker has been Of such 2
character as 70 show him TO be unit TO con-
tinue to hold judicial office. and sufficient
cause exists Tor his removal from ONCE by
concurrent resolution OF both houses OF the
Legislature OF tho state OF New York. or for
his impeaoh ment by the Assembly further
Rrsoirtd. That the president appoint mem
bcTs Of tits association. no. together with
the president Of ibis ssociaton shall con
sttute a committee Such committee is
hereby Instructed % cause a duly certified
copy OF these preambles and resolutions - be
transmitted 10 The Speaker Of the Assembly
Of tho state OF New lork With respectful
request Nat he cause the same 70 be, referred
70 the proper committee for action The com
naties hereby appointed shall have power 70
appear n behalf Of this association before
such committee OF the Assembly. 10 retain
counsel and from time 10 tine 70 take such
further or other action in the FOREGOING
matters as u NAV seem reasonable. just and
proper
The Hooker matter is not 10 be left even
there by the lawyers Of Greater New York.
The Brooklyn Bar Association is yet TO toe
heard from on the subject. At a special
meeting Of that association which will be
held at noon o-day il is expected that there
will be interesting Developments. II Is
reported that there is political move
ment among the lawyers across the river
to thwart in some way action by the Brook
lyn association, similar to that Of last
night