Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-27
LAW is CONSTITUTIONAL
Judge Robinson Rules on Question
of Jurisdiction.
UNIQUE PROCEEDINGS BEGIl
Courtroom Is Observation-Disclosures
Not Present-Prominent Coun-
sci Arrayed.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW HAVEN, December 26.-For the
first time in the history of Connecticut
Jurisprudence the executive-elect of the
state was practically placed before the
bar of the superior court this morning
to answer to charges Of corrupt prac-
tices at the election at which he was
chosen governor
1t was also the first time in the states
history that a special court, in line with
the English procedure, was convened to
try such charges.
The allegations were brought by
George l.. Fox of this city under the cor
rupt practices act of 1907 which provides
for special court Of two judges of the
superior court to try them. The court
room was crowded to its capacity with
lawyers. politicians and clergy1nen when
the proceedings opened shortly after 10
o'clock.
The trial judges are Silas A Robin
son and w. L. Bennett. The attorneys
for Fox are Mathew A. Reynolds Of this
city and Mr.. Jessup of New York
Mr.. FoX's charges are directed against
Gov.-elect Lilley and his political agent,
Col. Isaac NJ. Ullman of this city. They
alleSe that the statements of expenses,
filed with the state after the last cleo
ton by both respondents, were made
quate and misleading; that men were
hired whose names do not appear in the
sworn statements: that workers were
engaged by Col. U1lman at an unreaSOn-
ably high rate of compensation and that
d large amount of money was sent into
saloons both in Waterbury and New
Haven by Lilley or his agents to be used
in corrupting voters.
Court Maintains Jurisdiction.
AS soon as the special court opened
Stiles Judson Of StratfOrd, counsel for
Lilley, asked for ruling as to both the
right of the court to sit and it's right
to try the present case. Judge Robinson.
who presided, listened to protracted ar
gument, and finally decided that the
court was fully authorized by the last
session of the legislature.
Before the proceedings opened, Judson
stated that Lilley's attorneys in no way
attacked the principle of the new corrupt
practices act but rather the wording of
the present act. They are IN sympathy
with the intent of the act. he said.
When Judge Robinson and Judge Ben
nett had taken their seats on the bench,
Attorney Reynolds read the petition for
an election court.
Col Burpee objected to the jurisdiction
of the court in the matter and submitted
the pleading in which the question of
constitutionality of the act is raised and
which has been made public. Col Bur-
pee did not admit that the judges sat
either as a trial court or as an Inferior
court of any kind, holding that they
were the bench as matter of
courtesy.
Adjournment Till Monday.
Attorney Jessup argued the constitu-
tionality and competency of the court.
The arguments were continued when
court reassembled after the noon recess.
This afternoon session was a brief one
At it's conclusion adjournment for a
week was taken.
Neither Lilley nor Col. Cllman was
present, both expecting that arguments
on the constitutionality question would
occupy today's session. and that their
presence would not be required today.
Lilley is in town, however. ready to come
forward if called upon. Col. Ullman left
with his family for Florida few days
ago. before a subpoena could be served
on him.