New-York tribune., 1906-05-01
PUTS 1T UP TO JEROME
pFcORDER GOFF CAUSTTC.
n;,,usses Insurance Investigation in
DisckGrging Grand ystry.

,,1sibility for the vigorous prosecution OF
s-rssfigation of the insurance companies
-b the grand jury was put right UP 20
-, Attorney Jerome by Recorder Goff in a
- little address which he made in dis
INC the April grand jury after receiving
- presentment yesterday.
-t.,oeraphic report Of the proceedings, when
Z Aprii grand jury on Monday of last week
80 request of the District Attorney for the
sranoe evidence. appended TO the present
=. p3res The inside history of that affair II
=. how he almost pleaded with the jury not
..re I'D the investigation in view Of the
,.l grand jury 10 be drawn in May
rse District Attorney. referring to the opinion
!, ,Tnstioe Greenbaum in the George w. Perkins
..,,as corpus proceedings. that when a trustee
= corporation, especially life insurance cor
.--,.;on. took its funds and contributed them
. n5llfical party It was prInna facie grand
,snv intin1ated that il might be Overruled by
I. Annellate Division. He said he had talked
- several Supreme Court justices and law
-. and that ex-Judge Tracy had told him
- a state of facts did not constitute larceny.
:. also intiuated that Governor Folk and Gov
-, Teineen Of Illinois, with whom he had
,sr-ed. held the same view.
n Justice Greenbaums view was upheld Dis
.so, Attorney Jerome told the grand jury il
,mld be necessary TO call as witnesses such men
!. Cornelius " Bliss and George B. Cortelyou
,,s others connected with political campaigns
,,thin the statute of limitations, have them
-osuoe their books. see from what corporations
fssv received contributions and promptly pro-
I'D forthwith TO indict the officials Of these
orporations He continued:
Are Won thoroughly aware that would mean
sbe Indictment of a large portion Of the financial
saoers of every large nnancia1 institution IN the
rlty Of New York?
II INV this absurd haste and burning desire to
s,-ce matters into the grand jury room before
n authoritative ruling of court Is had? l
don't understand f.
T6o understand that there are strange forces
n character moving on the face Of the waters
Al lines in this city. My personal opinions or
s,splcions are not 10 be laid before you. gentle
WsI but you are free, white and twenty-one
end knox something about this city You un-
Serrsnd perfectly well that there is a bitter
,.fieT between the Morgan and the Hartman
ivterests and you know that that has been go
inc or for some time You know that the most
prominent person in connection with this whoie
natter Of contributions IN the puphc eye IS
George " Perkins a partner OF j. Plerpont
Norean: but as a matter OF fact it would in
Tolve tie chief financial officers practically OF
every great financial institution in this country
The District Attorney stated that the appeal
from Justice Greenbaum's decision would be
argued next Friday.
The presentment goes on 20 state that in view
Of the District Attorneys advice and represen-
tations they decided not TO take up the insur-
snce cases. When Recorder GoH listened TO the
report Of the grand jury. he said that in demand
ng the insurance evidence they had acted strict
b within their rights. AS regards the state
Gent Of the District Attorney, he added:
It was within your power not to rely on It
and TO have acted as your good judgments may
h---- lFVsh hoE lad on
have acted prudently. I will not now say that
you did otherwise, but it would not be the truth
Gor me 70 say that you performed your whole
duty. Nevertheless, you have rendered signal
service in accentuating the unequivocal respon-
sibiity which now rests upon the District At
torney.
II is a matter Of Indifference to this court
whether these insurance cases be acted upon by
the ordinary grand jury or by a special grand
jury drawn for that purpose, provided that they
De acted upon with diligence and good faith
Whenever a public duty plainly devolves upon
an orhcial, or on an authority, the way to per-
form that duty is to do il and not delegate the
performance Of it TO SOMEBODY else.
And we're il not that this special grand jury
has been summoned 10 act only week from to-
oay and that the District Attorney shall have
every reasonable opportunity and undivided re-
sp'nsibility. would deem it my duty to con-
tiue his term Of the court and instruct you to
feurn 10 your room and institute an investiga-
uon n these cases For they present questions
Nhch neither judge. District Attorney, nor
sIsne jurg can avoid or postpone Questions
&mch have not arisen through public clamor
81 heYe come II You through channels of leg
lsatlHe investigation: questions which affect the
esecuion Of trust in which the public are
kaiy Interested questions which, above ALL af-
see. the fair and impartial administration of
In his talk 70 the April grand jury. as given
u lie preaentment yesterday the District At
Niney referred to his controversy with Justice
Csuiiran. who had charge Of the March Grand
''iy- He accused the court of leaving the
PROPOSITIONS Of law on the insurance cases in a
distressing position" and that the reason he
aFIsT ged the Perkins arrest was to get legal
rling
"Hnam A Brewer. jr- ex-president of the
washington Life Insurance Company. surrend-
Feo himself before Recorder Gof late yesterday
afternoon on two indictments for perjury and
"e Toy making false statements in connection
El'h MS management Of the company He was
released on cash bail of $4,000. deposited by
''7ik Lord Of Eand. Lord & Kernochan, his
.'uise'- Alr. Brewer viii plead to the indict-
inents to-day