New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-13
Allegation That He APP
proved Bride Offer F alse,
Says District Attorney
Wilson Tells of Threat
Governor After Hearing Re-
serves Decision on Applica-
ton for Removal Of Official

ALBANY, Sept. l2.-Dis,rict At
torney Swami Of New York, appearing
as a witness before Governor Whitman
to-day at a hearing on the petition OF
the City Club of New York for tn
prosecutors removal from Office, denied
emphatically charges Of subornation
Of perjury made earlier in the proceed
ings by Arthur l.. Wilson, who was en-
ployed in the District Attorney othre
for several weeks in the fall of 1915.
Wilson told the Governor that AS
sistant District Attorneys Dooling and
Tallcy, by threats Of prosecution on an
old criminal charge and by an offer OF
$1,000, had prevailed upon him to give
false testimony to the grand jury IN
volying the integrity OF Lucian ,.
Breckenridge, former special Assist
ant District Attorney, whose resigna-
ton. because Of Mr.. Swann's attitude
toward certain persons indicted III con-
nec.ion with labor troubles in the gar
uent trade. was a con.ributory cause to
the charges preferred against the Dis
trict Attorney By the City Club. VIII
son also declared that sir. Swami and
Assistant District Attorney MarkowitZ
knew and approved OF the orer Of
$500.
Offer to Wilson Is Denied
The District Attorney said that not
only had he not made or authorized any
offer TO Wilson. but he had gwen eN-
press instructions that no money be
maid TO him. He had been informed,
he said, that on one occasion wilson
had demanded $50 from Mr. Mako
witt. The first he had heard OF the al
legged offer Of $3.50. he said. was when
he read it in a statement given 20 a
New York newspaper by John Kirkland
Clark ono Of the City Clubs attorneys.
John b. Stanchheld, Mr.. Swami :
counsel. in opposing Mr. Ciark's request
that Wilson be allowed TO tell his story
10 the Governor for the purpose 81
yiudicat,up Breckenridge Of the charges
against him. declared that Wilson had
threatened. unless $4,000 was paid 10
LIm. TO go over to the City Club
Mir. Stanchiield said that Mr.. Swami
was parfectly willing to meet charge :
of subornation OF perjury II presented
in an orderly manner, but tnat ne oo-
;ected to Wilson making any charges
when the District Attorney had no VIII
nesses on hand 20 dlScredlt them;
RABBI Samuel Duchler, the JEWISH
chaplain OF Sing Sing Prison, teSt!lsd
brichy regarding "A conversation ne mau
with Wilson last month in the once
of Assistant District Attorney Talley
in which Wilson expressed his inten-
tjon oil demanding money from Mr..
Swami in connection with his testimony
in the Breckenridge case.
Swann's Removal Demanded
At The opening Of the hearing Chase
Mc,en. representing the City Club, de-
marGed Mr. Swann's removal from Of.
ice on The claim that Commissioner
George l.. lngraham. who had made an
Investigation at the direction OF the
Governor. had returned findings Of fac:
that warranted such action, although
the commissioner recommended That
the prosecutor be not removed.
In reply, Mr.. Stanchfeld argued that
Commissioner Ingraham's recCmmonda-
ton be respected, rs Il had been the
rule of q long line OF Governor that
a constitutional officer should not he
removed from Office because Of the er-
roneoug exercise OF discretionary
power. but only for corrupt acts. Tue
charges against Mr.. Swami, he held,
we're based upon his exercise OF discre-
tionary power
Governor Whitman reserved his decl-
sion.