Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-01
jERoME's ADVICE
Deferred the Grand Jury
From Investigating
Insurance Officials Contrlbut-
ions to Campaign Funds.
District Attorney Says He Is Waiting Deels-
lon From Appellate Bench.

q had failed to investigate political
contributions by insurance officials be-
cause District Attorney Jerome had adj
yised the jury not to do so. The jury
stated also that it had asked Mr.. Je-
rome for the evidence against the in
s1rance officials and that he had OPP
nosed action because he desired first
to secure an opinion from the appellate
division Of the supreme court Of NeW
York on the question whether political
contributions constituted larceny.
Justice Greenbaum the district at
torrey informed the jury. had already
decided that the contributions were lar
ceny hut Mr.. Jerome expresse ms
doubts whether this ruling would be
sustained by the appellate division
1T is our duty not to indict in order
to conform to what we assume TO be
public demand for an indictment" SAID
Mr. Jerome. Nor is an Indictment !
simply an accusation in the eyes or
the rublic Whatever is done with That
indictment il remains and always viii
remain stain.
Recorder Golf accepted the present.
ment and discharged the jury but IN
formed it that it had not done its full i
duty although it rendered signal SER
vice in accentuatins the ''unequivocal
responsibility which now rests upon
the district attorney"
The jury in its presentment, reported
mat on April 3 It had called uron Mi
.fzr..iIi> -, I,,.-z.nc the insurance matter
>.hict H.. .iIi resented to the pre-
Hirrre iu:,-.
Ir. jerome then advised the jury to
let tie matter go over to the special
grand jny in May ana the jury as
sented.
Attached to the presentment was
District Attorney Jeromes argument
asking that action be withheld. In il
Mr. Jerome reviewed his action and
,!.at Of the March grand jury in ask
jus' he court for n ruling as to whether
political contributions We're criminal.
Mir. Jerome said the courts ruling WAS
such that the March jury could not
COMPREHEND il. THE courts inStruC-
tons" Mr. Jerome said, were that to
steal IS to steal-a proposition tolerably
elementary"
"rhe court not being willing to make
2 definite ruling" said he, Il was I'M
willing to present to another grand
jury the questions involved to the con-
tributiOns TO the political funds until
we mao al authoritative ana UcHIllLt
ruling by n court
Mr.. chrome then recitcd the arrest
Of George w Perkins and said that as
a result Justice Greenbaum ruled that
If a'trustee of Il corporation. especial
ly life insurance corporation, contri-
buted its funds to a political party that
constituted larceny
THAT was the ruling of one judge"
IT. ~
and simple proposition Of law. A law
yer as eminent as Ex-Judge Tracy,
who does not represent any insurance
company or any person connected with
an insurance company. says that it is
perfectly plain that 1t does not consti
'ute larceny. Among others. / may
mention Gov. Folk of Missouri and Co..
Dineen of Illinois, from both of whom
1t has been possible to get their opin-
ion"
The district attorneys argument re-
cited the appeal taken from Justice
Greenbaum's decision and continued:
IF Judge Greenbaums decision is
upheld. it will at once become neces-
sary to call such people as Cornelius
N. Bliss. and George B. Cortelyou. men
like that, who were connected with the
political campaign without the statute
limitations. have them produce their
books from what corporations
they received contributions and
promptly proceed forthwith to indict
the officers of these corporations. AS
YOU are thoroughly aware. that would
mean the indictment of a large portion
of the financial officers Of every large
financial institution in the city OF New
York.
Now. why this absurd haste and de-
sire, when by the first of May this thing
is to be passed upon by five judges? The
last grand jury by n careful fuvcstiga-
tion and canvass OH my part satisfied
me that l could not get one vote out of
the whole grand jury to indict on the evil
dence in regard to political contributions
I don't und, rstand it. l don't understand
that there are strange forces Of charac-
ter moving on the face Of the waters al
times in this city; and such a course, a.,
that. this eager burning desire to force
matters into 4 grand jury room before an
authoritative rule by a court has been
had, to my mind, to say the least, is ne
culiar
My personal opinions or suspicious ar
not to be laid before you. gentlemen. bu,
You understand perfectly we'll that Their,
Is a bitter conflict between the MorCa,
and the Hartman interests and 70,
know that that has been going on 70
some time. You know that the mos
prominent person in connection with tn
whole matter of contributions in the pub
lie eye is George Perkins. a partner o
Pierpont Morgan; but as a matter of fac
II would involve the chief financial Off
GERS practically of every great fnanci,
institution in the country
II the jury insisted, he said he wouI
submit the evidence.
The jury did not insist
Commenting on the presentment, r.
corder Golf said the jury had acted with
in its authority and it was the duty c
the district attorney to have submitte
the evidence.
Said the recorder:
at would rot be the truth for me
say that YOU rerfor nod your whole dnt,
1,.rt-. a., .,,.