New-York tribune., 1907-07-19
A GOVERNOR TOOK FEE.
CONTRACT WITH MUTUAL.
JerOmes Libel Examination GiUes
inside Light on Insurance.

44ia' 'ne Governor OF certain state. the name
not gwen entered into a contract for monetary
consideration 70 perform legislative services for
the Mutual Life Insurance Company was a
statement made yesterday by District Attorney
Jerome during his examination by Clarence 7
Shearn before Justice Dayton in Part IL Special
1erfn or the Supreme Court. This examination
winch Is preliminary to the trial OF Mr. Jeronnes
sults Tor S20o.OIO for libel. brought against the
star Corporation. which publishes William r
Hearsts Evening Journal and New York
American developed some interesting inside
information regarding Mr.. Jerone's action and
/ lack OF action in the insurance cases
The most striking testimony however. came
toward the end of the day. when Mr. Jerome said
that the only insurance company he had inves-
tgated 70 find proof of alleged lobbying expendi-
lures was the Mutual. The sole proof he found
OF the stories of Andy Fields and the yellow
dog" funds was in the vaults of the Mutual.
where ne said he came upon contract made
by Governor of a state with the company Mr.
Jerome laughed he said this Governor had
been so careful that he had written into the
contract line 10 say that none of these services
he agreed 70 perform could be construed as lob
bying."
There was much speculation as 10 the identity
Of this Governor The only cIew was when Mr.
Jerome said that investigating he found the
Governor was dead Neither the name OF the
man nor Of the state given. IN fact. it
struck the reporters and spectators that both
Mr.. Jerome and Mr. Sheara were willing to let
the matter slip past with this slight reference.
When the hearing is resumed at 1870 o'clock
to-day there Will be expectation Of possibly an
other reference TO this evidence
Although Mr.. Jerome had expressed his will
tngness 10 take the stand it appeared from yes
terday's developments that he knew little about
the identity OF those who raised his campaign
fund. He said that the fund was in charge OF
Howard s. Cans and William F. King and he
understood 1t aggregated about $4,000 He
knew the names Of two three contributors.
but thought it unwise and 'indeIcare" TO make
them public He also expressed at some length
his philosophy OF campaign finance saying that
as all sorts and conditions of men come TO the
public prosecutor 1t would not be right for him
TO know who did and who did not stock his war
chest.
In response to questions Mr.. Jerome said he
had understood that Samuel Unrerrnyer per-
sonal counsel for James II. Hyde. had contrib
uted 5000 He said that Charles ". Morse
sent him $4,000 in bills. but these were re-
turned because Of Mr.. N1orse's connection with
the Dodge-Hummel case Mr.. jerome also testi-
fed that he did not think Lewis L DeIaheId.
counsel for George W. Perkins. had contributed
anything 10 the fund. He said that Tammany
hotel keeper. whose name he would not give. put
in 50, but did not want 10 have it known for
fear OF police persecution
MIR. JEROMES VIEW OF INSURANCE.
That was about all Mr. shearn was able TO
elicit from NIr. Jerome yesterday Much evi-
dence was given to Mr.. Jerome's view OF the
insurance officials who were caught in Mr..
Hughcs's interrogatOry dragnet But this was
more or less the side. since Mr.. Shearn was
trying 10 establish what Mr.. Hearst's papers an
nounced so many times and what is the cause
OF Mr.. JerOme's suits for damages. namely, that
Mr.. Jerome received contributions TO his cam
paisn fund from the corporations and men
who would as the result OF Investigations come
under his notice for criminal prosecution
Mr.. Jerome also gave the inside history of the
arrest OF George W. Perkins and his subsequent
release explaining. Mr. Perkins was only an in
cIdent'
The District Attorney was in court early and
seemed be in the best Of spirits. jesting about
the weather and saying he anxious go
on the stand at once When Justice Dayton took
the bench Macdonald De Witt, OF counsel for
Mr.. Hearst asked for an adjournment until
Monday the ground that Mr.. Shearn was en-
gagged in making motion before Justice Clarke.
in Brooklyn. in the recount case. William Rand.
jr, counsel for the District Attorney, opposed
the adjournment saying that Mr.. Jerome had
come from his country home specially TO testi-
fy, and that, besides. he was very busy as
public officer
Why" exclaimed the former Assistant Dis
trict Attorney. If one-tenth OF what they have
said about Jerome be true he should be
moved by the Governor. II IS not necessary 1Or
n.
makes the motion has made an affidavit IN
which they say that he (Jerome) is a crook. and
they say that they prove ~ Well. II they
can prove il want them TO go ahead and do
II now"
Justice Dayton then said that IN cases where q
public officer is SO vitality interested all expedi-
tion should be used He therefore granted an
adjournment until o'clock In the afternoon.
that Mr.. Shesrn could be summoned from Brook
Iyn When the case finally opened and Mr..
Jerome took the stand the hot. stuffy court
room presented a picturesque appearance. Law
yers. reporters and even the witness removed
their coats In way II resernoled a June ex-
animation at college more than anything else.
for everybody had the appearance OF trying TO
be comfortable under difficulties.
Mr rSerome testified first that he had held
office as District Attorney since January l. 1902.
and that he was renoninated IN 1905 by the So
called Jerome nOminators. more than two
thousand citizens signing the petition After
saying that he understood about ss5.000
raised for his campaign he declared he knew
only two or three OF those who helped him
financially and had never made any inquiries.
Mr.. Shearn wanted to know what his reasons
were for this lack OF interest.
NEVER MADE ANY INQUIRIES
1.-TWO reasons" said Mr.. Jerome. Il was cam
paisning, and never made any effort 10 inquire,
for the reason that did not want 20 know and
because I did not consider II personal matter.
1 believe that II IS not only necessary for q
public officer TO be traisht. but TO avoid all
appearances OF not being straight. All classes
of people come TO the District Attorneys Office.
and did not want TO be put in position 10
have any one say that he got any favOrs from
the fact that he had contributed TO my cam
paign fund"
In reply 70 questions Mr.. Jerorne said he knew
charges had been made on this score. but he
had never tried 10 get permission 10 print the
names OF those who really did contribute, be-
cause he considered that would be "a breach OF