The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-01
70 ACT ON HOOKER CHARGES.
ASSEMBLY, TO REFER THEM TO
III DI(IiRY COMMITTEE.
Resolution WIZ Gail for the Fullest Inves-
ugaiion EN-AttOrney-Ge Conan
Iikcl, 10 he the Committees Coun.
r sci Uonkcrs Friends DoHncast.

tiEailon iN-AttOrilel-tenerai 'omhH
Iihcl, to he the Committees Coun'
sci Hooker's Friends Do"ncast,
t,p,Ny. Jan AL doubt "a TO whether
c- not tho charges against Supreme Court
.,,.tir, Warren y. Hooker Of Frcdonia
y,I b, Investigated by a committee from
,F4 Assembly will be dispelled tomorrow
,norniuc At that time the Assembly
3Ydicnry committee will report with a
,,p.e,, that il be authorized TO make the
i,.,-ueation and there is now no question
I'm, tha, the Assembly will concur in the
,c.ue-t Justice Hooker's friends, who
yera responsible for packing the State
Mar Association, are downcast tonight.
The committee. in executive session this
afternoon. after considering for an hour
~ more tho letter sent to Speaker Nixon
ty Justice Hooker, decided 10 report a
resolution TO the Assembly. What its exact
,hrasoology Is is kept az close II secret as
such things can be kept-whioh is not very
cloe.
The resolution sets forth that the reque At
fnr an investigation having been made,
tbe committee deem it but proper that the
Judiciary committee go into the matter
20 the fullest extent and give Justice Hooker
every opportunity to prove his innocence
NJ any connect with the post office graft
tcandal
Chairman Fish of the committee, who
e beholden TO Benjamin B. Odell. Jr.. said
That il was deemed TO be the best course
70 keep the resolution secret until after
H. had been handed to the House for its
action.
However. so sure were the members Of
the committee that the resolution will
be adopted by the Assembly tomorrow
that the committee at once started TO out
line its procedure. 1t even went 80 far as
70 engage counsel. Chairman Fish sug-
trted that former Deputy Attorney
General Henry B. Conan Of Madison coun-
~ would be a first-class attorney to have
O. represent the committee Assembly
,nan Mead OF Albany thought the same,
And before they had received authority
70 employ counsel or to make the nyesti-
CATION. Mr.. Conan was agreed upon.
However, the Democrats are not likely
70 submit gracefully to this procedure.
They will undoubtedly insist that a Demo-
cratic attorney be engaged to assist Mr..
Conan so that there will be no suspicion
m the Republican organization doing any
jn veetigation. This will come up later.
The committee even went to the extent
OF deciding to meet tomorrow afternoon
st o'clock. anticipating the adoption by
the Assembly Of the investigating resolution.
il has been decided that the committee
shall make its report and its recommended
tons 90 the Assembly on March 10. The
committee will announce its willingness
TO receive any aid that may be extended
Is the New York City, the Brooklyn and
the jamestown Bar associations.
indeed those who have been acquainted
with the manner in which the committee
y going about the matter are surprised
Ilr they can see nothing but complete
end deep search and a probing that will
either make necessary Justice Hooker's
removal or show his innocence. The COM
lnttee will hold some of its session in James
town probably through subcommittee.
The resolution to be submitted tomorrow
vii provide for the attendance OF witnesses,
the production Of books and papers and
othor matters Of that kind.
Friends Of Justice Hooker tonight were
holding out the faint ray of hope that possi-
bly, after all the investigation would not be
ordered. They were basing their hopes
On the idea that an appropriation would
le necessary to defray the expenses of the
rommittee, and that the Ways and Means
Committee would have to pass upon the
resolution before il was acted upon by the
lower house. But such is not the case.
1bc state law gives the committee the right
g. make the investigation, and the Comp
iroIler will have 10 audit the bills after they
are properly presented.
Assemblyman Arthur c. Wade who was
Justice Hookers counsel. was about the
Ten Eyck tonight comforting with mem
'bers Of the Assembly. Several said that
Mr Wade was very much surprised at the
rour-e matters had taken and that he did
bot Ike 1t at all. One Of the leading
lsne mbers Of the Assembly said
IF Justice Hooker sent his letter 10
Speaker Nixon with the idea that it would
10 squeched. he made a greater mistake.
pHhere Is so much behind the charge that
sshc Assembly would not dare TO ignore the |
letter and consequently none OF us wants
% take the responsibility of suppresssng it
lyen though the Judiciary Committee |
Should select special counsel TO be paid out
IF the state treasury 20 help it in its Hooker
Enquiry, it is anticipated that the services
Nf eminent counsel Of New York city will !
he offered to the committee free OF charge !
on hehPlf Of the City Bar Association OF |
Now York and the Brooklyn Bar Associa- !
lion il is expected these two associa- /
Tons will appoint joint committee to look |
after the Hooker charges before the Legis- |
aaure