New-York tribune., 1922-03-18
Assembly Will
Probe Charges
Against Strong z
tcsntInu.a from pas .n.l

tCsht'nued ron, pass enst
true, and that he refused TO accept
report from the grand Jury clearing
Senator Thompson " the charges.
The charges against Justice Strong
were read in the Assembly Immediately
after It convened to-day. Then AS
scmblynan New Kinney introduced R
resolution asking that they be invcst-
gated. This was adopted. Nex. he in
troduced resolution creating q com
mttec to investigate, which was also
adopted without dissenting vote.
Speaker Nschold said ne would ap-
point the committee in about ten days
The charges set forth that the &C
eusations are certified to b. Elyin N.
Edwards, president, and Charles \.
Schweitzer, secretary pro TEN. Of the
Nassau County Bar Association, aad
were based on an Investigation con
Quoted by the association. The associ-
alton charges:
"That the said Hon. Selah p. Strong
has acted in q manner unbecominc
justice of the Supreme Court Of this
state, in that ne has been harsh and
abusive to counsel, calling member
Of the Bar of Nassau County z
damned little skunk and to litisants,
in that he dismissed the complaint Of
)itigant whose attorney did not appear
when his case was reached On the cal
cndar, although the plaintiff was pres
ent in person with his witnesses and
ready Yor trial. and to grand jurors,
in that he fined a grand juror who was
H1l> ~, 1.
courthouse, and that. without reason,
or for some private WHEN. he dis
charged member OF the grand Jury
who was competent and willing to
serve, casting un~arranted aspcrsions
upon said citizen.
Say He Had Troops Seize Books
"That he has caused troops Of the
state constabulary to seize the books
and papers Of citizens and retain the
same, in violation Of Section of the
clVll rixhts law; to place citizen ur-
Ger arrest, causing him to be physical
~ delivered by troops of the state
constabulary into custody of said JUS
tlce, and in that he has used subpcenas
as a means of compelling persons to
come 70 his chambers for purposes of
private conversation.
hat ne has presumed to direct the
Oo'pPeto oi.eI VI the county TO pay claims
presented against the county without
being invoked thereto by anv nerson
sggrieved and without dependency of
any action or proceeding thcreunto be-
fore him.
THAT the December grand iurv
found indictments against persons held
in Jail to await the action of the grand
Jury on the first day Of February. 1922,
and said Honorable Sc'ah B. Strong
vas notified of the action Of said grand
Jury not later than the seventh day of
February, 1922. yet he failed to con-
vene the grand jury for the purpose
Of receiving their indictments until the
flrst day of March, 1922. and thereby
1iour persons were unvarra ntably held
In Jail and deprived of a speedy trial
upon charges of crime preferred against
them by the grand jury of the county.
"That he did in his charge to the
grand jury on or about the fifth day
OF December, 1921, charge . Senator
of the State of New York with the
crime. Of robbery, without reason or
probable cause, knowing the said
charge to be false. and that although
the grand jury has dismissed said
charge, thereby clearing paid Senator
from the imputation OF wrongdoing,
the said Honorable Selah g. Strong re-
fused to receive from said grand Jury
their certificates Of dismissal Of said
charge, whereby such dismissal would
become a public record OF the county.
That in his charge to the grand jury
and likewise by passing over the head
OF the. duly constituted investigating
out warrant cast reflection upon the
integrity Of the District Attorney of
the County Of Nassau
"That he conducted an inouisit;or
FOR which there is no warrant in law
and used therein the services of the
paid agents Of private society.
Failed to Discharge Grand Jury
"That he has failed to discharge the
December grand jury, although the
terms of court for which the said
grand jury was summoned has fully
expired, and two grand juries, to wit,
for the January terms and for the
March term of the Supreme Court have
since been convened in the County Of
Nassau"
The petition also alleges that the
Nassau County Bar Association believes
that "other acts of Official misconduct"
have been committed by Justice Strong,
Showing his unfitness for judicial Of
flee and lack of understanding of his
duties"
The petition concludes with plea
that the Assembly investigate the truth
of all the accusations against Justice
Strong land all matters relating there
to or affecting his unftness 70 hold
the high Office of justice OF the Su-
preme Court"
Justice Strong is a Republican He
was elected to a full term of fourteen
years in 1920. Prior to going on the
bench be was Surrogate Of Suffolk
County.