New-York tribune., 1907-01-04
JACKSON GUSTS DAVIS.
4ctiOn IN Hearst Case Calls Critics
Silly
LBy Telerrap.. to The Tribune. l

lby Aele"TapHto the Tr1bunel
Albany, Jan. 3-Attorney General Jackson
continued to-day his partisan politics for the
benefit of William Randolph Hearst by taking
into his own hands the investigation of Mr..
Hearst's campaign expenditures. He revoked the
appointment of Gherard Davis as special deputy
attorney General for the investigation. and de-
manded the return of all papers. In doing this
ne declared that he was acting to prevent parti-
sanship and would investigate the Hearst case
fully. The Attorney General sent letter -
MI Davis to-day. in which he declared that
"as all the work TO be done by the Attorney
General or his representative in this proceeding
VIII be under my administration deem it proper
that the person representing the Attorney Cen
eral should be of my designation"
In explanation of his action the Attorney
General issued the following formal statement:
The designation of Mr. Davis was revoked
because | mad decided the investigation into
election receipts and expenditures during the
last campaign should be broader in its scope
than the Association to Prevent Corrupt Prac-
uceS at Elections apparently contemplated when
1t singled out M. Hearst's statement of cleo
be probed
So long as investigation of alleged viola
tons OF the Corrupt Practices act is to be under
taken at all by this department. il should be
comprehensive and general. and not partisan
personal The campaign last November the
first conducted since the Corrupt Practices act
went into effect. 1t strikes that sweeping
investigation now into the question TO wheth-
er its provisions observed might have a
wholesome effect That is the kind OF an in
Vestigation shall make. Under these Circum-
stances. the attorney who represents this de-
partment in the matter should be of my
lection.
When asked to-day about the opinion ex-
pressed by some politicians that he had known
about the text of the Governors message be-
fore it had been made public and, taking ad-
vantage of this knowledge, had written to Mr.
Hearst offering to bring about a recount of the
ballots. Mr.. Jackson said:
Il had not heard Of this before and | do not
care to discuss the criticism. but that Is silly
perfectly silly. l do not intend to allow myself
or my actions to be guided affected by criti-
cism. Nor do | generally read or notice criti-
cism that Is published about me | intend To
go my own way, | have done heretofore. and
do my duty as | see il, regardless of what my
critics may think say about me-"
Gherard Davis when at his home No "a
East 39th street last night. by Tribune reporter
said that he had heard of his removal special
Deputy Attorney General He did not appear tC be
worrying over the outlook
THE action of Attorney General Jackson was
only what l expected. he said. There is no doubt
that he had a right remove me and appoint his
own deputy if he chose There is nothing that can
be done about It. I have consulted with ex-Assist-
ant District Attorney Rand and others. and they
assure me that the Attorney Generals action Is
perfectly legal. | do not intend to make fight
in the matter My term has expired that is all