The Washington herald., 1908-03-20
JACKSON Is ACCUSED
Charge of Graft Against the
Attorney General.
HE DECLINES TO DISCUSS IT
Stnte Official Must Explain to Grand
Jury Charge that He Demanded
The Legislature VIII Probably
Hasten Probe OF the office.

New York. March 1s-The grand jury
Of this co inty. through i,s foraman, sent
a letter 10 Attorney General jackson
late this afternoon informing him OF the
testimony given before it on Wednesday
by Frank White. Jackson's former deputy.
who was made receiver Of the Hamilton
Bank.
Mr. White swore before the grand Jury
that after he had been appointed receiver
for the bank. Jackson had asked him for
half his fees as receiver. Mr.. Whites fee
amounted. it is said TO about $4,000.
The letter sent by Foreman Muschen-
helm. Of the grand jury. it is understood.
simply gave the substance Of Mr.. Whites
testimony, and asked Mr.. Jackson wheth-
er or not he cared 10 appear before the
grand jury and contradict or confirm.
what White had said.
Mr. Jackson received this letter lust
before leaving his Office. Beyond max
ing the statement that the letter was not
a request to appear before the grand
jury. Mr.. jackson would say little. If any
thing, about it.
Declines to Make Letter Public.
There is really nothing in the letter
which would prevent my making it pub
lic." Mr.. Jackson said, except that it is
marked confidential For that reason.
hardly think it would do for me to give
it out"
"win you ego before the grand jury?''
Mr.. Jackson was asked.
''No, do not expect to appear before
the grand jury" was Mr.. Jackson's reply.
Before receiving the letter. Jackson had
denied the reports that he had ever made
such q request OF Mr.. White or any Of
the other receivers he has had appointed.
1t Is understood that Mr.. Whites testi-
mony 10 this effect was drawn from him
unwillingly. that he had never offered to
testify. but that Mr.. Jerome, hearing a
report to the effect that such a demand
had been made upon him by jackson,
subpoenaed him suddenly 10 appear be-
fore the grand jury. and asking him point
blank as to whether OF not Mr.. Jackson
had asked him 10 split his fee with him
got from Mr. White an affirmative an
swer
Jerome and Judge Confer.
Mr.. Jerome had a long talk with Judge
Foster. of the Court of General Sessions.
to-day, and later on he and his assistant.
Smythe. appeared twice before the grand
jury that had heard Mr.. Whites testi-
mony. 1t is understood that Je-ome in
formed Judge Foster OF Mr.. Whites
statement made to the grand jury in order
that he might be prepared in case the
grand jury saw fit TO bring in a present.
ment regarding the matter.
The grand jury will not take any action
on the natter until next week. No addi-
tional witnesses have been subpoenaed.
and thcre is no way Of bringing out any
testimony TO corroborate Mr. White. il
is said. In view of the fact that White
is a lawyer OF standing, and was formerly
deputy attorney general under Mr.. Jack
son, the belief is that the grand Jury.
with the record as It Is. will make some
sort of statement 10 the court in regard
to the matter. whether Mr. Jackson ap-
pears before the body or not
Such a statement. made by a witness
under oath, could be sent under decision
of the court TO the legislature. which has
before # now resolution directing an
investigation of Mr.. Jackson and his
Office.