The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-21
The BAR 'SLEADERSON HOOKER
DEPLORiBLE PRECEDENT. SAYS
". y. HORNBL OWEN.
Theodore VI. TAFT would Have the Local
Rar Associations Ask the Legislature
to Pass on the state Bod!'s Findings
Thinks That BROOKLYN should Act.


William b. Hornblower who led the fight
in tbs state Bar Association for legis-
lative investigation OF the charges against
Justice Warren y. Hooker and whose
efforts for the honor of the bar and bench
ware nulifed by Justice HookeT's friends
packing the meeting, believes that the Bar
Association established deplorabe procc-
dent in refusing 10 pace Hookers case
before the Legislature.
i think that u most unfortunate pre-
ceoent has been established by the state
Bar Association said Mr.. Iornhower
yesterday 10 Sun reporter. -The assocl-
alton by that action has taken the ground
that acts committed by Judge in office
which are morally Objectionable afford no
ground for removal by the Legislature
unless those acts have 20 do with his Official
conduct a. Judge.
The facts in the case were fully ana
finally Investigated by an able and impartlal
committee Of the State Bar Associations
the Standing Committee on Grievances
which heard all the evidence that JUSTICE
Hooker cared to produce before them
including his own sworn statement. mat
committee consisted of twenty-thrce law
yers from all parts Of the State. the chalr-
man, being Prof Hufcut OF Cornell Law
School.
The committee made unanimous hnd-
ings OF fact and reported those findings
TO the State Bar Association. The Assoc
citation. without substantial opposition,
adopted these findings which stand there
fore, admitted by Judge Hooker and his
friends.
The only question then before the Bar
Association was whether those indlngs
OF fact should 1e presented 10 the Legs
lature for further Investigation ana acton
| The association, ut the instance OF Justice
| Hooker's supporters, by a bare majority
OF votes, decided that no further action
should he taken By the Bar Association.
The minority of those present at the meet
ing, including myself, minority that
amounted to very nearly one-half OF the
members there. were of opinion that the
facts found by the committee AMI APP
proved by the association showed conduct
on the part of Justice Hooker OF a sufficient
ly fragrant character 10 call for further
action by the a association and an inYesu-
CATION by the Legislature
Il regret very much or Justice Hooter's
account and on account of tho honor o. the
bench and bar that further steps are not
taken TO vindcate Justice Hooker or 20
test the question OF his removal from Office.
=" 1t is 20 he borne in mind that the resolu-
lions adopted by the association ana voted
for by Justice Hookpr's friends express
disapproval Of his conduct 40 hat even
his own friends by the resolutions adopted
did not Justify him In the forum Of morals.
They claimed that he did othing which
calls for his removal by the Legislature
from his judicial Office
Mr.. Hornblower said he had talked with
lawyers from all parts OF the State and
had received some letters bearing on the
case, but he did not care TO attempt TO
reflect the feeling OF the profession by dis
cussing these talks and letters he did not
know whether any further action Is to be
taken against Justice Hooker
Brooklyn lawyers who attended the meet
ing OF the State Bar Association say that
the conduct of Justice Hooker'~ friends in
the meeting was disgracef,l and that the
association suffered itrelf TO be stultifed
and made ridiculous by the bullying Of
lawyer-politicians who supported Hooker
However while saying plain things about
Hooker and their Discrimination 10 submit
cases on appeal TO man IN whom they
have no respect. some Of those make the
plea that their first duty il TO their clients
aud that they might ieopardize the interests
OF their clients IN important case- by adNo-
eating action against Justice Hooker 10y
the local bar associations well known
BROOKLYN LAWYER who refused 10 let his
name be used, put the case in this way
1t Is n pretty stiff proposition for lawyers
to face if they take action against Justice
Hooker while they have an important case
pending before him on appeal They pat
their reluctance on the ground OF their
duty to their clients. When il l. all boiled
down, though, it il nothing less than
cowardice.
Theodore NJ. Taft Of Is William street,
Manhattan who is a member of the Rriev-
ance committee which had the preparation
of the Hooker case in charge, had this TO
say Yesterday
III il my opinion that any bar association
in the state would Ire amply justified in
taking action against Justice Hooker and
asking the Legislature TO pHss on the find
inRs Of the New York State Bar Association.
1t seems 70 me from an outside point OF view
that the Brooklyn Bar Association. the
members of which are forced TO submit
their cases 10 him, is the one above all
others that should do this thing,
"The facts as unanimously found By the
committee and adopted by the association
are of so grave character, notwithstanding
the whiewashng, that an investigation
by the Legislature IL absolutely impora-
tive The moral sense of all right minded
men is so shocked by the statement OF facts
that politicians will hardly dare TO oppose
another invest gat ion. The charge stand
and will always stand until Justice Hooker
meets them in ala official investigation.
Most members of the Brooklyn Dar be-
lieve that the case should not lie allowed
TO drop. movement is being started 10
press tho Brooklyn Bar Association to place
Justice Hooker ca e before he In Cis lature
II that movement should fail, objections
will be filod by many of thom 60 having
their cases heard on appeal by Justice