The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-15
Judge Robertson Denies He la Back of the Proceedings
 Against Lilley,
ENGLISH LAW CALLED IN
Is superior to Ours, Where Prosccu. tor Is to Defend tho Re.
 snOndcnt.

In connection with the petition of George L. Fox of this city for an cleo ton court and his proceedings against GoNcrnor-elett LilltN a special ds- patch from New Haven to the Hart ford Post saya;
 T have never had a word of con vcrsation with Mr. Fox on the subject of Investigating Mir. Llley's campaign expenditures or methods, and have given no thought or attention to Mr. FoX's proceedings in the matter of se- curing an election court for the pur- pose of such Investigation, Therefore, l cannot soc that there Ia any occasion for making statement in denial of any unauthorized rumor to that ef- feet
 Such was the answer given hy ludEe A. Hcnton Robertson, late dem ocratic candidate for governor when his attention was called to the printed intimation that he was in some way interested with George L. Fox. In the proceedings against Governor elect lilley and the securing of an election ! N'''l '' | li' lhhE' \ llltlutl llllltdlfU l p,anly that he was not at all of the | op'rion that either his friends or the | people generally would take seriously such Unauthorized rumor
 lAs the corrupt practices act. on which this prosecution Is based, is mod d- l ellod on a similar act on the English statutes, Mir Fox yesterday called at- tention to the fact that In England the law requires inc presence al tho trial of tho pphls prosecutor, in order that l hc may take cognizancA of any drim i inal disclosures As distinguished from l tho English law it Is to be noted that l at the coming Connecticut hearing tho state attorney of Fairfield county ap- pears as counsel for the respondent notwithstanding there might be dis closures in his own county
 MT, Fox when asked as ia the pro cfdure of the court said that he pro 1 sumed it rested entirely upon the iudr ment and discretion of the two judges In connection with tho ease Mir. Fox supplies large number of English records and documents bearing upon the procedure under and operation ot tho low n England
 These records show that since tho year 1885 down to tho present time there nave hnon 2s cases of contested parliamentary elections under tho ] corrupt practices act Of England Of these in ls eases the sitting marhcr | was unscated and in 20 cases tho pet tlor was dismissed Tho blue book relating to one of the most important cases contested there recently con
 tains full stenoFraphir record apd l 2to column pages. the trial lasting seven days Tn this case tho i've i judges disagreed About sn witnesses were summoned in the case for ev. animation Tho book shows that very large latitude was allowed in the ey. animation and that there were almost no legal objections by counsel on either eide of tho evidence. both judges taking pretty active part lr the examination of witnesses
 Tn. records ot th. thirty six case, show an extremely drastic intorpretn ton of tho act by the English courts There is very comprehensive ruling ou, Of oil treating Among the thing, found to bo bribery and Illegal arc pay and care of rooms. betting. Y tho wager has a tendency to lnnnencc votes any form of profit given or prom ised favors given te local associations, and threats, the dividing or withdrawal Of employment or customs. tho use lr campaign Of hills, flags or notices on tho part of voters if paid for and any i hire of carriages to take voters 10 the polls, although friend. of the candidate may voluntarily supply their own car. i rlaEes Ir one case some years ago l- was held to be Illegal when 2 candidate just before election allowed his tenant, ] to kill rabbits upon his estate
 The English law ia also extremely se were in its limits on election agents Roth the successful candidates and agents can be disqualified from holdnn 1 office from some years as a penalty II i convicted ot bribery The penalty oI l disfra nchisercnt can he inflicted upon a parliamentary borough for period | of years as vas done not long ago in i the ease Of he city of Worcester, EnR l land, which after proofs of extenslve i bribery was icHled representatives in i parliament two years