New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-26
BRIBERY BILL ATTACKED
Citizens Union in Letter OoleC'S
to Word "Immediate'y.
REQUEST TO KILL MEASURE
Hammitt Believes Object OF FRO
posed Law Will Be Nullineo
Unless It Is Changed
rRy Telegraph to The Tribune. }

Albany. Feb. 2s.-The effect OF the WIZ
Immediately" seems 10 he the mann "a
Of the objection OF tho Citizens uhio"
the bill Of Senator Tim Sullivan S'u
Assemblyman Hoey, making II c'l''e
legislator not 10 report immediateiS w
the District Attorney and the LegisiaI"'
any attempt TO tribe him. This Is one ~
the measures recommended by the METH
legislative graft investigating committee
The Citizens Union. through its secre'arS'
J. o. Hsmmftt. has sent a letter to Senator
Stillwell and Assemblymsn Chanler, chair-
men OF the Senate and Assembly Codes
committees respectively. asking thsm
either to Kill the bill or not to report IL III
its present fern II is held that 1t wou''
be fatal 10 any attempt to prosecute
bribe giver. II public announcement were
made Immediately of tho fact that IT had
been offered
Several days ago members OF the Assem-
bly, Codes Committee themselves discovered
that embarrassing results might arise from
the bill If enacted in its present form, and
a heated debate took place on II during
one OF the committees executive sessions.
1t was contended that the chances of prose-
cution would not only be injured, but that
III certain CIRCUMSTANCES iuFilb'i ~
whom bri5e is offered would be up
against difficult situation il he had to
report II Immediately" The question
arose as to whether a man would dare to
take time TO finish his breakfast or change
his clothes before running for the District
Attorney. The committee finally settled the
matter by appointing a subcommittee or
five to confer with the Senate Codes Com
mlttee for the purpose Of amending the bill
TO do away with the objections raised.
Assembyman IIoey said a couple Of days
ago that IL would also be amended probably
SO as &c take effect right away instead OF
September. as is the case generally with
code amendments
We don't want 10 be open 10 the crit
icism," he said. that we are trying to get
away with anything this session. and for
that reason are putting off the taking effect
Of this measure until September
The letter regarding the bill sent out by
the Citizens Union follows:
The immediate submission Of all the facts
as required 10 the Senate or the Assembly
viii amount 10 immediate notice 20 the per-
son who has offered 2 bride that he Is in
danger Of prosecution provided sufficient
evidence can be secured against him. No
bribe eiyer, unler such circumstances. viii
fail 20 take whatever steps are necessary
to protect himself.
As matter Of fact. however. it Is well
known that the offers Of brides are not
made in the presence OF witnesses, who
might furnish the corroboration which the
statement OF the legislator would need in a
criminal court. The record OF such sue
cessful prosecutions for bribery as have
! been conducted in this and other states
shows that conviction cannot be secured
unless steps are taken 10 obtain the .neces
sarv corToborativc evidence before knowl p
edge Is conveyed 70 the bride gver of the
fact that plans are being made TO prose-
cute him
Il IS obviously the duty Of any Legislator
70 whom bride IS offered 20 notify the
District Attorney. and work IN co-opera ton
with that official 10 secure the conviction
OF the bride giver. II would be fatal -
such efforts however, TOR a public an
nouucoment - be made Immediately Of the
fact that II had been offered.
If this bill becomes law any legislator
who has failed Immediately 10 report an
attempt TO bribe him viii be unable 10
testify at later time TO the facts without
discriminating himself