The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-03

State convention that nominated Charles A. Goodwin and MT. Good wins request that he communicate what evidence he might have to the States Attorney of Hartford county Or any other proper officer, Judge Simeon E. Baldwin, speaking at the Democratic rally here last night pub licly made suggestion that a court of inquiry consisting of three justices of the peace, taking advantage of an old statute which has not been re- pealed, be convened in Hartford and perhaps another in New Haven to go to the very bottom of things. "Such a court,'' he said, "can compel testi- mony, summon witnesses from any part of the State, and compel them to answer"
 Offers to Pay Half.
 Taking up the objection that this would cost money, Judge Baldwin of fered, If MT. Goodwin would pay one half the cost of such a court at Hart ford, to pay the other half himself. He also offered to allow MT. Goodwin to name two of the justices.
 Judge Baldwin said in part:
 'In an address, made by the head of the Republican ticket at Hartford, last Saturday night, he asked me to
  corruption at the recent Republican State convention, at which he was nominated, to the States Attorney of Hartford county or any other proper officer. But he added, that by evil dence he did not mean affidavits, be- cause they were not legal evidence.
 'I must say plainly, that it seems to me very pitiful to have the candi- date of the Republican party for the high office of Governor. cry with one breath for the production of any evil dence I have, and in the next, that he does not include affidavits. An affidavit is the sworn testimony of the man who makes it. Tn every country outside of those governed by Anglo-American law, an affidavit is admitted as Legal evidence. Here, ow- ing to our peculiar system of jury trials. it is, as MT. Goodwin says, bar red out.
 Don't talk to me- he says there fore, of affidavits. I object to your not legally admissible, if objected to, and object Can it be that the standard of public morals has fallen so low that a candidate for the high est office in the gift of the people of this State objects to sworn evidence of corruption, practiced by others in a convention of his party, because it
 
 What would he have?
 Goodwin's Objection.
 'Is he, a lawyer, ignorant of the fact that no written testimony under oath, except an affidavit, can ever be given for use in court until there is an actual case in court. brought in form and standing for trial? Is he, a lawyer. ignorant that the common way. in all lands, to start a criminal prosecution is by sworn complaint or affidavit.
 Corruption works in darkness It is practiced in secret chambers. It must be charged before any prosecu- tion can be brought.
 Prosecutions can only be brought by public officers.
 '1 should inform the States Attor- ney, does MT. Goodwin say? Did not the Republican Legislature of 1909 de- liberately and purposely cut out of the Corrupt Practices Act the wholesale provision that the States Attorneys in their several counties might investi- gate charges of corruption and com- pei witnesses to testify before them under oath7
 for the very purpNse of preventing such an investigation as MT. Goodwin now asks me to institute? Have not our States Attorneys stated already that this repeal of that provision ties their hands and spikes their guns?
 ''But let us take heart. All is not lost. The lamp has been overturned, but it is not yet eXtinguished. One channel for the discovery of truth has been blocked up, but happily another still remains.
 .eYes, happily Although the Repub- licans last year cut out of the Corrupt Practices Act that very useful and -sr-s~ 14l- s- now nothing to give States Attorneys power to investigate into the stories of corruption and to compel witnesses to testify, I want to call the attention of the justices of the peace in the State to the power they have in the matter, under an ancient statute which the Republican managers didn't dare to repeal.
 Court of Justice.
 "Any three justices in any town can hold a court of inquiry, whenever they please, to investigate into any reports or rumors of crimes commit ted in their-town. Such a court can compel testimony, summon witnesses from any part of the State, and com pei them to answer
 'why not have such a court of in ouiry now at Hartford? And another at New Haven?
 "One obvious objection is that it costs money. Witnesses cannot be summoned and court room provided for nothing.
 "I will make an offer to MT. Good win. If he will pay half the cost of such a court in Hartford, in probing the charge now publicly made, in print over the signature of a reput- able citizen, known all over the State for his public spirit and his earnest devotion to the public service-a charge naming men by whom and to whom certain offer was made, I will pa.y the other half and he may name two of the three justices, to be asked heads of the opposing tickets, do this, soon as possible, and put before the people.
 .I hope this offer will be frankly accepted as it is frankly made.
 Get to the Bottom.
 ssThe three justices can go to the bottom of things. It ought not to be hard to find three justices in Hart ford. who will be ready to undertake the work if MT. Goodwin joins with me in asking them to organize as a court of inquiry. Then we can get at the truth. without depending on affidavits. They can get the men be- fore them in person, who saw these things and shuddered at these things.
 CT say to the leaders of the Repub- Jican party. join with us in this. Tell Mir Goodwin who follows so trust fully in your train, to join with us ' a+ us 1xnow how much money was