Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-15
NO EXACT PARALLEL
New York Editor In Hooker
 Trial at Albany.
DEFIANTLY REFUSES TO ANSWER.
Situation Caused by Desire of Legis- lators to Learn Who Was Author of Press Article Charging Boo-
 dle md Political Pressure.

uAc uhu EolltiCul freSAuFc.
 ALBANY. x. r., July 15.-Editor in Chief Erwin Wardman of the New York Press was the storm center here of one of the most sensational scenes enacted in the state legislature in many years. His persistent refusal to give the reasons for his expressed be- lief that some members of the legisla- ture had been the subject Of improper influences in connection. .witb the, trial fof the charges against Supreme Court Justice Warren E. Hooker produced intense excitement. and the question of the disposal of his case has entirely overshadowed in interest the matter of the charges against Justice Hooker.
 Incidentally. the situation has raised far reaching questions as to the status and powers of the present joint ses- sion; its authority as joint session to issue subpoenas or infict penalties; in short. as to the constitutionality of joint convention of the legislature for any purpose other than to elect Unit ed States senator or regent of the university. There is wide divergence of opinion among the lawyers in the legislature. No exactly parallel case, 1t is said, exists in the history of the state.
 This extraordinary situation devel oped most unexpectedly out of the de sire of some members of the legisla- f,Yra sa loo r-ho ha ot af an article in the Press in which 1t was asserted that both political pres sure and poodle" were being invoked in behalf of Justice Hooker to prevent his removal from office as justice of the supreme court.
 MT. Wardman appeared in person and declared that the article had ap- peared during his absence on vacation. and he did not know who wrote it. He was sharply questioned as to the GUS toms of his office in the preparation and handling of matter. and he was instructed to telephone during the re- cess to his managing editor and ask him who wrote the article.
 "I will ask him." said MT. Wardman, ~but I don't believe he will tell me"
 Haven't you authority to compel him to tell you:" was asked.
 .'I could give him the choice between telling me and leaving the paper" re- piled MT. wardman. but shall not do that"
 When you asked MT. Hennessey Lz asked in the afternoon. what did you say to him:"
 .'I told him that I hadn't for a mo ment imagined he would tell me" re- piled MT. wardman. You know. | warned you this morning that I didn't believe he would"
 NIT. wardmsn was asked:
 "wiH you tell who offered the bribey'
 q will not
 The session by vote directed witness to answer the questions. and again he declined.
 In like manner Nr. Wardman re fused to say whose information had led him to believe there had been bribery. Each question was put to vote and the chair directed the witness fo answer To each he returned the same refusal
 Confronted with this situation the leaders hesitstei. plainly at a loss what to f1 some of them cpnfesseilv skeptical as t9 whether they had any powers in the premises at all Nr. wardman was excused. but instructed to return next Monday night. to which | fine the session is adjourned