The evening world., 1905-07-18
HOOKER ON THE
WITNESS STAND
DENIES CHARGES
: Disclaims Personal Interest in
Balls Appointment and
Talks Of Nephew.

ALBANY, July THE first chance
OF the prosecution to examine Justice
Warren d. Hooker personally came
to-day, when he voluntarily faced the
joint legislative session gathered to
weigh charges against him.
The defendant was called to the
= stand by his senior counsel, John b.
stanchic!d. who first put a series of
Questions regarding his clients family
tftlife and career.
MI. Stanchield then plunged into the
matter of post-ofice appointments. In
reply to his questions Justice Hooker
declared that 1t was the custom in
many DISTRICTS for the retiring Con-
gresham to have the post-ofice pat
as ronage. He spoke feelingly of the vast
wg number Of requests that come to a
Congressman.
Many of his constituents" said he.
"'regard him as an errand bow between
them and the departments"
U.s. The witness asserted that neither he
nor his wife loaned a dollar directly to
= Frank L. Ball. Mrs. Hooker. as she
testified last night, went on his note
only as an accommodation indorser.
TIL position in the post-office which is
u streated of in the Hooker charges did
ssnot come to Ball, Justice Hooker said.
until two years after the note was
Ball, according to the witness. came
"a 10 him and asked MS ad in getting a
~ Federal position. He desired one at
leave his mother.
sdc Hooker, who was then a Con-
Eressman, saw First Assistant Post
~ 70 appointlng Hall TO a place in the
d E wreae Ia pos..ofhSe and subsequently,
tle DIVISION of Salaries and All, 100
the letter which the prosecution has in
troduced as important evidence.
Job Was Not to Pay Notes.
was the. fact that Frank Z. Bail
g., S Sns not ros doin ,fcs any work IN the Ere
-. 1T was not"
Did YOU ever have any conversation
WITH Bail or arrangement by which ne
& was to do no work in his position anu
g{ apply the salary toward the payment Of
~ did not"
Speaking of Mr.. Beavers Justice
Hooker said: II never heard his hu<fs-
~ or integrity questioned, and he Was
spoken of highly by members Of Con-
In connection with any Of these ap-
polntments. did you intend TO cOnspire
against the Federal or State Govern
a ments?n
was il business as a ticket broker
- while holding his position in the post
office
AS to His Nephew.
OF his nephew, Maurice Hooker. he
sang he never knew tina Young Hooker
. g was farming out his position as
g., lab2rer IN the Frcdonia post-Ofice, and
NOT actually doing the work. He had
told the Fredonia Postmaster tina. he
was looking for a job for his nephew,
~ nnd the had suggested. IA.
Ha place, and subsequently secured Maurice
tiuOker'S appointment.
Il never paid a dollar" sail tho VI.
ness. "Cf the money which Post master
Taylor. of Fredonla. restored to the
~ Government for Balrc and Rockers
ra}aries."
With the wind-up to-day of the exam
"'f nation of witnesses in the trial pro-
among Senators and A~ssemblymen
against the removal Of the accused
Justice 1S charges Of judicial unt:n.ss.
1t requires q twO-tiirds vote to oust
Hooker. one vote over Onc-tnird in
his favor would be sufficient 10 exon
e~ate him. That this number con be
marshJl'Cd In his defense is confden-
spoken in their belief that he should
not be removed. \ number # mem
herS say they would like To vote in
favO" Of tho accused Justice. but that
I they da:e not defy the sentiment Of
their district, whiCr IS strongly opposed
e, such 'acurs. Although 1t is E"ner-
ally denied tina any district influence
is being brought to bear on the Lexis
q lators In fi"1- or Hooker. IT is believed
mat congressman and lawyers who
knew the accused Justice personally
have not hesitated II say a good word
Tor MIN whenever the opportunity pIp-
sentcd itself.