New-York tribune., 1920-08-10
Inquiry Begun
Into Gambling.
At Saratoga
Justice Van Kirk Warns
Grand Jury Politics Will
Not Be Countenanced
in Its Investigate N
Denounces Recens Rumor
Says Sscry That Probe Aims
to s'Gei" Some One Is a
Libel on the Governor
Eysm a stag Correspondent


SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y, Aug. 9.
Inquiry into the charge that there
was wide-open gambling in Saratoga
Springs and bribery of public officials
last year was started this morning
at an extraordinary term of the Su-
preme Court at Ballston Spa. The in
quiry was ordered by Lieutenant Gov
ernor Walker on July 10, following
complaints made by the Chamber of
Commerce. Wyman S. Bascom, Dis
trict Attorney of Washington County,
was designated as Special Deputy At
torney General to conduct the inves-
tigation, and Justice c. C. Van Kirk was
named as the presiding justice.
That a rumor to the effect that this
extraordinary term of the Supreme
Court was called because of factional
differences and to get" some one was
q slander on the Governor and on the
court was the statement of Justice Van
Kirk to the members of the grand jury
when they were sworn in.
The Courts Charge
Justice Van Kirk in his charge said:
Reports have been general in this
county and particularly in Saratoga
Springs, that gambling has been openly
practlced, that houses were operated
Tor gambling and that there have been
certain persons in the county and in
Saratoga Springs who had apparently
assumed that they had right to CON
duct, for their own profit, unproductive
useless and in no way helpful gambling
and taking livelihood from the VIM
nlngs. 1t is reported that there were
M har Of ,1oo
used for gambling and that certain
officers of the county and of Saratoga
springs have been delinquent, wrong
fully delinquent, in not prosecuting, and
that certain officers were implicated
IN protecting and enjoying a portion
of these unlawful profits.
1t is expected that the court will be
just, fair and wise 1t is expected that
the grand jury will be coura Aeous and
never allow an indictment on rumor
and only on evidence, and not for favor
or revenge. There should be nothing
In our action to permit any one to say
the court is a tool of any faction or
body of men.
"The people will Judge you and your
action, and you will show how the
court stands.
"This matter has attracted wide in
terest and the court must caution YOU
90 W ScSicSy 4NS person must inter-
fere with your work, and if any one
does, report him to the court and he
Will not be dealt with very leniently.
Must Be No Unfairness
IF you indiet wrongfully or fail to
lndlct rlghtfully you are doing an in
justice. There must be no indication
OF unfairness in this investigations If
you know of any evidence pertaining to
this Investigation you should presen,
1t to the District Attorney and not use
1t personally in reaching a conclusion
on an indictment.
"The court has heard that there are
factional differences in Saratoga Coun-
ty, and that this court had been sum-
moned to get some one. That is
SANDER on the Governor of this state.
He had reasons, and it was his duty to
summon the court. 1t is sander on
the court to say it was instituted for
favor or revenge.
"Rumors are not eviden-e, and YOU
must consider only evidence. You must
discard rumors and give honest iudg-
ment. You must be entirely satisfied
that an Indictment should be given or
else there should be no indictment.
"It does not concern you what the
public thinks about. Be just in all
matters and do not fear to do the
right"
Joseph Murphy, bookkeeper, Water
ford; Seth H. Arnold, farmer Saratoga;
Willard Denton, farmer, Malta; Frank
B. Holsapple. farmer, Galway; Irving
Taylor, farmer, Half Moon; George H..
Eggleston, farmer, Corinth; Joseph Z.
Clement carpenter, Waterford; Will
lam George, farmer, Day; George II.
Lord, farmer. Providence; c. Leonard
Garrison. farmer, Milton; Wallace w.
Jennings. clerk, Milton; William H.
King. boarding stable keeper. Saratoga