New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-25
Strong Counsel
Closes Defense
WithOutWitne
Bracket Tells Committee
Investigating Alleged Mis-
conduct He Will Make
No Oral Argumcn I
Reads Short Statement
Long Debate Ensues Be-
fore Members Agree to
Method of Procedure

with the reading Of a short state
mcnt to the jerks legislative commit
tee. former Senator Edgar T. Bracket,
counsel for Justice Selah b. Strong,
Of the Second Judicial District. whose
alleged misconduct in Office the com
mittee has been Investigating, prac-
tically closed the case for the defense
yesterday without submitting testi-
mony or brief. Senator Bracket,
said that unless the committee desired
il there would be no oral argument on
his part.
"The matter Is here and now sub
mitted 20 the COMMITTED feeling that
Justice Strong Is not subject either TO
punishment or criticism" said Sen
ator Bracket in concluding his state
mont.
A long argument ensued among the
members and counsel for the commit
tee and Senator Bracket before he was
allowed to read his statement. Assem-
blyman Edmund jerks, Of 'Broome
County. chairman Of the committee, in
terrupted Senator Bracket 20 say that
the purpose Of the session yesterday
was TO permit counsel for justice
Strong 10 say whether they would put
in a defense or rest the case.
When Senator Bracket insisted on
reading the statement the committed
went into consultation with It's coun-
sci, Harry c. Perkins. Of Binghamton
at the end Of which Chairman jerks
informed Senator Bracket that the
paper could not be finished, but that
he would have the privilege Of filing a
brief.
"Tll Put Up My Papers
This is a method Of saving the state
thousands Of dollars" said Senator
Bracket. ave do not purpose putting
in any evidence or fling a brief unless
il is the desire Of the committee. II
/ the committee declines 20 let justice
Strong submit his case, III put up my
With these remarks Senator Brack'
cit folded his paper, put II IN ms
pocket and sat down. The committee
| held another consultation, after which
/ the chairman announced that Senator
| Bracket would be allowed 20 read hi.
statement II he considered that tho
submission Of his case, and that
counsel 20 the committee would max,
an oral answer. and later briefs could
be submitted II desired by both sides
Senator Bracket then resumed reading
lie pointed out that Justice Stronl
I had been threatened, one OF the public
! men Of Nassau County having told hin
| that ne would involve himself In per
sonal trouble and would have a legis
! lative investigation Of his conduct u
| ne continued his actions against public
officials Of that county. The Senator
/ stated that Justice Strong should have
/ instituted proceedings 20 punish th'
man who made this impudent threat
and. continuing. said that the an
nouncement by another man Of tn
county that Justice Strong would
mourn the day he ever came 20 Nassa,
I County, illuminated beyond doubt the
motive behind the case against th'
justice.
Not Behind Charges
Mr.. Perkins said that Assembiymar
/ McWhinney was not behind tho
charges; that there was no evidence
to show that he Influenced the Nassau
/ County Bar Association, though ne in
} troduced the resolution in the Assem-