Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-02
WILL
RESIGN; INSISTS
HE is INNOCENT
THINKS IT BEST TO LEAVE.
PROSECUTORS OFFICE
TO APPLY FOR REINSTATEMENT
80 WHEN INDICATED
City Attorney Hewitt TO Make Thor
ough investigation This Morn
ing of Alleged Brbe-Arn-
erich Arragned

"A
II TORNEY JOSEPH F. SEYMOUR
"A jr., will this morning hand his res
! ignation to his superior officer, CITY
Attorney Leslie Hewitt, as a result O
the allegations made by George p. Ar
nerich, proprietor of the Good Fellows
Grotto, 341 South Main street, that Sey
mour had accepted $50 from him as I
bribe to quash the liquor case agains
Arnerich. This step was decided on by
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sey
mour late yesterday afternoon as a re
suit of conference with his associates
at police headquarters.
In taking this course Seymour stated
that no such step had been urged OF
him, but that he felt in justice to The
prosecuting attorneys Office and to hi:
own name, and that he might have am
pie time to sift the case to the bottom
1t was the proper course to pursue.
The announcement caused almost al
much of a sensation as did the news
last night that Seymours name hat
been connected with a charge of brib
cry, for when first told of the assertions
of Arnerich, Seymour after stoutly
denying his guilt, stated that he would
fight the case to the bitter end ano
vindicate himself and the Office with
which he was connected.
Case Given to City Attorney
The developments of the Arnerich
case were the sole topic of conversa-
ton about police headquarters yester-
day. and the disposition of the charges
against Arnerich were of minor impor-
tance, in consideration of the fact that
an attache of the prosecuting office had
been declared to be connected with a
bribery scandal.
Seymour was about his duties yester-
day as usual. no suspension having
been made pending an investigation of
the assertion of Arnerich, but Prose-
cutting Attorney Guy w. Eddie stated
that he believed a mistake had been
made, and went on record as saying he
thought Arnerlch was lying in an at
tempt to lessen the serious charges
against himself
However, in view of the fact that a
shadow of suspicion had been caused
by the publicity given the case, he
deemed it advisable that City Attorney
Hewitt should handle the case.
There was a long conference yester-
day between City Attorney Hewitt and
Prosecuting Attorney Eddie, a. the
close of which Hewitt announced that
he would call Seymour to his Office this
morning and obtain a statement of the
case from him.
Seymour Confident
AlJeT the with lily
Attorney Hewitt said: "I have no Off
cial statement to make, and have
formeJ no opinion on the case. / will
not be able to until l have talked with
Mr.. Seymour, and have asked him to
come to my office tomorrow morning.
tThat the matter will be thoroughly
investigated is assured, and 1t would be
unfair as we'll as unreasonable for me
to express any opinion as to the truth
or untruth of the charge until l have
had an opportunity to investigate the
case tomorrow. However, If there has
been any wrong doing, there will be
but one course to pursue"
Despite the fact of Mr.. Seymour's ex-
pected resignation, the Investigation
will be held this morning and Is courted
by Mr.. Seymour, who unequivocally
denies the allegation of Arnerich. Sey-
mour fully realizes that 1t is serious
matter, and for that reason expressed
himself as welcoming thorough in
vestigation, as he feels assured that he
will be vindicated, and what he isl
concerned about is the vindica-
tion of his Office.
In speaking of his resignation Mr..
Seymour said: 'T shall in all probabil-
ity resign my Office tomorrow morning.
| do not wish it thought for a moment
that l am retiring under fire, but there
are considerations which / have care
fully gone over during the day, and I
believe for the good of my office, for
my own name and the public, my resig-
nation is the proper course to pursue.
To Apply for Reinstatement
81 realize that my position as assist
ant prosecuting attorney is one that
should be above the shadow of suspi-
cion, and while such a shadow exists I
believe 1t proper for me to retire. l do
not want anyone to think that my res
Ignation is in any way an admission
of guilt, and those who are familiar
with a court position can readily see
that 1t is just the opposite.
"I will not only devote my time from
now on, but eXpend my own funds un- |
Ill | sift this affair to the bottom, and
know that I will have but little diff !
aculty in proving my innocence of this
absurd, false and malicious charge, At !
irst l thought | would hold my posi- |
.ior and fight it out, but l realize the |
position it would place the prosecut-
ng attorneys Office in, and that is my |
lpr rermost thought in rendering my
The fact that my asso- |
1iates are firmly convinced of my in |
1ocence is pleasing to me. / don't be- |
ieVe it will take long to clear myself, |
out in view of the fact that Americas |
rial has been set considerable time |
lhead, / will retire at once. But let |
I be understood that as soon as l |
lave cleared myself / will apply for
which I will not ask |
lnless l can completely exonerate my
self"
Eddie Believes Seymour Innocent
Prosecuting Attorney Eddie stated
hat he believed Mr.. Seymour had de-
ided on the proper course. I'm a case
Ike this" said Mr.. Eddie, "it is a
ase of one mans word against an
,ther's. 1t is unfortunate, for 1 don't
believe Joe to be guilty, but the victim
II circumstances, and it will be greater
If after his retirement he
Iisproves the charges and is then re-
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sey-
nour was appointed to the office about
year ago and has been prominently
Identified with many important Grim
nal cases during his term of office. He
5 said by his superior officers to have
cen ambitious and hard working, and
ach and every person connected with
he court department expressed regret
at the unfortunate position
Continued on Page Fiye)