The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-24
JUSTICE HOOKER HEARD FROM
LETTER TO SPEAKER NTNON ASKS
EOR AN nv ESTIG 4TION

Resolution for an Inv cstigatlon Was 10
Have Been Introduced. but After the
Letter Had been Read the Matter Vas
referred 10 the Judiciary Commit ee.
ALBANY, Jan. 23-Aroused TO the point OF
desperation, Supreme Court Justice Warren
b. Hooker has taken new stand in the
matter OF his acts in connection with the
post Office scandal. Resolutions were TO
have been introduced in the Assembly to-
night calling for legislative investigation
Such a resolution would have meant in
view OF the temper OF the people at this
time that the acts OF Justice Hooker would
have to be investigated, Therefore, TO the
considerable surprise OF everybody, inn
mediatey after the Assembly came to order
tonight the following letter was read by
Clerk Baxter
NEW YORK. Jan. -. 1905.
Hon s, Fred. NlroH Speaker Of the Assemble
SIN: About one year ago the jamestown
Bar Association sent communication 10
the State Bar Association which. while dis
tinctlv stating that no charges against my
conduct were intended TO be made, con
tanned intmations which compelled the
state Bar Association TO refer the whole
matter 10 ts committee on grievances. That
committee appointed a sub committee, which.
after several sessions at which evidence was
presented reported to the general com
mttee such evidence and its findings. with
the recommendation that the matter be re-
lerred 10 the Legislature. It's findings. but
not the recommendation. were approved
by the general committee and the whole
matter WAS referred TO the State Bar Asso-
citation 4 copy of tho report and tho evil
dencc il herewith submitted 10 YOU.
A. the meeting or the Stnte Bar Associa tiont
\
approving the report OF the grievance COM
nttce, and another 10 the effect that the
Facts embodied in the report were NOT OF A
character TO warrant legislative investi-
CATION
Notwithstanding such action by the State
Bar Association, u number of prominent
%Sy'ia 9- 6s nSSaI we Ssi n
Impressed the public Therefore respect
fully, but earnestly urge. as due TO the, public.
my oflce and myself, that my conduct he
made the subject OF legislative inquiry. Re-
specially yours. WARREN b. HOOKER
While that sounds plausible enough and
places Justice Hooker in the position OF
demanding an investigation. still. judging
from the action OF Republican Assembly
men tonight, there is no certainty that
1t rests entirely with the Assembly Ju-
dietary Committee. to which the letter
was referred. and those who are DESTROYS
Of having an investigation are suspicious
of the outcome, for that committee is
swayed purely and solely by politics, and
1t is known that the tapewor1n influence
in the Republican organization OF the State
does not want an investigation. II the
should decide to make a report
that there was no cause for an investiga-
ton. the Republican leaders in the As
sembly will see that thore are enough
votes to sustain the stand Of the committee.
That the Democrats scent something
Of tho sort was shown tonight. linme-
diately upon the communication being
read, Majority Leader Rogers. who in
the State BAR Association voted against
the Coke resolution providing for an in
vestigation. said he did not know what
procedure to take in the matter and then
thought il would be advisable to send IL TO
the judi cary Committee.
Minority Leader Palmer said he thought
the letter should lie on the table until to-
morning and not be sent to Me
committee.
We don't want matter OF this impor-
lance 10 be sent TO a committee TO be throt-
d led" he said.
Mr. la Fetra (Tam) thought that the !
resolution of reference should be amended |
10 provide that the committee be instructed |
to report forthwith what action should be |
taken and TO provide for an immediate !
who showed that an investigation is fur |
thest from their thoughts, Assembly !
man Merritt Of st Lawrence gave evidence |
Of that when he said that the Legislature |
pay any attention to the clamor |
Of the public press and the mere fact that |
such a letter had been sent should not be |
taken for granted that an investigation |
would he had
The resolution was referred 70 the Jul |
diciar Committee with no instructions |
whatever taking the same course as would |
n bill 10 legalze the acts OF justice Of |
the peace
The opinion was expressed o-night that
Justice Hooker would have never asked
for an investigation had not the New York
City Bar Association taken it In hand