New-York tribune., 1908-03-20
HUGHES HAS NO CHARGES.
Not Necessary for Jackson Remoual
4ctiOn-Saae's Letter.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Albany March 1s.-No charges against Attor-
ney General Jackson which Governor Hughes
considers official before him for consdera-
ton now. Various matters. 1t is known, have
been presented to the Governor for his consid
Grafton. He refused to discuss the Jackson af-
fair to-day for publication. At the time X
was made clear that formal charges are not
necessary for action by the Governor if he has
facts and the Governor himself is the judge of
what facts necessary TO produce action
his part.
The procedure to bring about the removal of
the Attorney General, elected official, is that
the Governor present charges of wrongdong
malversation to the Senate. which could remove
by a two-thirds vote. The Governor facts
presented to him may originate the charges. If
formal charges be presented to him he must
be his own Judge the facts forth therein.
If the grand jury bring a presentment against
Jackson has been reported likely, that of
necessity will not produce action although if it
contain facts which have been asCribed to this
predicted presentment, there is not much doubt
here that the Governor would transmit them TO
the Senate. 1t is significant that Democratic
defender of Jackson has appeared in the Legis-
lature yet.
Senator SAKE this morning made public the
letter TO which the letter made public yesterday
by Attorney General Jackson an answer.
The Sake letter follows:
January 2S 1908
To the Hon. William S. Jackson, Attorney Cen
of he reced rom
fensive. and 1 should certainly ignore # but for
the maliciously false statements contained which
your purpose in writing letters times Is pro
NOTED by reasons other than a sense of duty, You
state that did not turn the papers in the
special franchise tax cases in which had been
that was preparng to draw money from n09he the
public treasury in three different capacities' i
franchise tax cases and special counsel in the
ca ses in which | had been designated.
& q han
year find such rot for excuse. Why did you
0 0a d G ah %o %as ds
mated by your predecessor at the same time that
Cohahan' whom y99 NJ DESIGNATED as special coun-
I was appointed referee in the Brooklyn cas-
until received the orders of reference in ihens
of the state. reached in December. 1906 be-
fore M n speGa in other
were not paid out out Of the public treasury, but by
certiorari proceedings under the tax law the ref
must be paid by the relator, except where
than half the reduction claimed before the
o in 'he tax the
cases is a local : and not state charge.
irving 10 have the special franchise lax cases af
fecting the City OF New York disposed OF, wrote
Last spring l made a recommendation 10 your
designated special counsel TO the State board
of Tax commissioners in proceedings he
view of assessments of special franchises, etc
under Chapter l55 OF the laws OF 1906. | made
this recommendation for the reason that Sena-
SAKE for some time Assistant Corpora tion
Counsel OF this city. in charge of the collection of
arrears of personal taxes and having large fam-
iarity with the subject. Il my opinion then.
ii is that his expert knowledge
subject would be of great value to the public
While | do not understand that there IL anv dis
position TO alter this designation I deem il but
proper to advise you that the continuance thereof
will only be entirely acceptable to me as
Controller, but, believe: Immensely ad-
vantage of the interests of the City of New York"
1t because the local authorities here de
sired me to proceed with the that did visit
your office three times last year for the purpose
of trying to secure the papers in those cases |
did haunt Office daily and never asked
might have been provoked 20 little anger by
letter. IL not for the observations on
professional ethics. which. coming from YOU had
the effect Of adding a vein or amusement 10 the
whole matter. Very truly yours
MARTIN SAKE