New-York tribune., 1905-07-12
SYMPATHY FOR HOOKER.
Legislators Hope to Acquit Him
Trial MoUing SIOtcly.
lgY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIEUNE.l

Albany July 1.-THE Joint session OF the legis-
iature to-day occupied its time in rehearsing the
testimony already before the Assembly regarding
Justice Hooker. The whole day consumed in
reading about three hundred Of the thousand pages
OF testimony, and this work VIII last until Friday
saturday While this going subpoena
servers started OFT to get about dozen Witnesses
and il is understood that taking of testimony will
occupy the best part of next week. The present
estimate Is that the summing up arguments and
the actual voting will not take place till the last
week of the month.
There was no actual progress to-day beyond the
reading Of testimony. except the final accepting OF
the rules OF procedure fixed by the Senate yes
terday. This action taken after n sharp
scr1mmage in the Assembly this morning. when
after majority had voted against accepting this
set o. rules. enough votes changed to reverse
the result. The entire difference of opinion
over The wisdom OF accepting the Senates rule that
the reception OF testimony should be regulated by
the usual rules OF Of records interpreted
by the presiding officer subject TO the approval
reversal Of the joint session.
Effort was made TO interpret this rule as unfair
END 10 find some indication of trickery in it. This
trtckery, it was affirmed, designed TO benefit
Justice Hooker. but this. II was declared was not
the case, the attempt OF the legislative leaders,
expressed in this resolution, being to lay down
rule elastic be practically recognition Of
the right OF the Joint assembly decide its
wish, at the time meeting the objections OF
those who wished TO apply the strict rules of evil
dence without qualification.
The reading Of the testimony tedious I'm the
extreme as the day was exceedingly hot. A score
or Assemblymen and quorum OF Senators filed
the front OF seats waving palmIeaf fans slowly.
The counsel for the accused and for the prosecution
took turns IN irnpersonating witnesses and attor-
news as the evidence taken by the Assembly COM
nittee last spring read. Thus IL that John
B. 6tsnchield coolly affirmed that he mar
rsed lady" 10 the amusement Of the audience.
Justice Hooker's counsel continued 10 report the
zyorlc q Rfrs Taff In u
oeeded steadily few objections interposed, and
these were overruled. The most important one was
the objection OF Justice Hooker's counsel against
the Judiciary committees Of the Senate and Assem-
bly, sharing in the proceedings on the grounds that
their action in committee already indicated that
Lneir minds were made ul-
Beyond the fact that ihe tr'aI Is GtI :9 70 ps
greatly prolonged, there Is lttte dennte inaical9A
Of its outcome Only thing is certain certain
10 any one who listens 10 the comments If the
legisaCYe jury ana that Is mat WllAouI , Ies'Iu 81
70 party lines. the sympathy OF It's memhers j.
clinations, they would in large majority vote 70
scquit him Public opinion. as expressed IN me
forces acting against this sentimental support
such a verdict will be re,urneG with the greatest
reluctance, and only under the strongest pressure
legislature is composed of politicians, who view 5he
ects OF the present respondent as exactly similar mar
EtituenIs ask their Congressman to perform
strongly toward justice Hooker, runs 50 strongly
that II will take much 10 force conviction par
zxhsre members aT SiectaJ @nnlalIy In predicting
q result. this sentiment must be fully reekoned
most frequently forecast by those of experienced
vision but il seems more accurate to say that a
controlling and deciding number Of legislators are
listening anxIously in the hope that they may hnd
in the testimony adequate reason for voting 10
scquit fellow politician. as they view him. Tor
whose alleged offences they have infinite Sympathy
i wish my Congressman was as active and
1o9ae1 Ted % one ms of 5e % dees % as he waked out Of
the hearing to-day, and his is a typical comment