The New York herald., 1922-07-12
STRONG IS UNLIKELY
TO OFFER DEFENSE
Hint From His Counsel Causes
Surprise After Accusers
Rest Case.

After the announcement yesterda,
that all the evidence in the Nassa,
County Bar Association action agains
Supreme Court Justice Selah B. Strong
charging him with "unftness for office
had been presented. the defense caused
surprise by intimating that in al
probability no refuting testimony would
be. offered.
The jerks Legislative Committee
which is hearing the charges prepara.
sembly regarding the advisability Of
instituting impeachment proceedings
adjourned for two weeks in order tc
give counsel for Justice Strong an
opportunity to decide definitely whether
any defense would be made.
THE evidence does not justify either
the removal or impeachment of Justice
Strong said ex-senator Edgar T.
Bracket, senior counsel for the accused
member Of the bench. 1T shows neither
corruption or wrongdoing, but on the
contrary shows only wish to perform
his duty in a high minded manner"
He charged that the accusations OF
unfitness for Office were brought by
forbidden and abhorrent forces" seek
ing to intimidate Justice Strong and
drive him away from his manifest
duty" A vigorous PEA made by ex-
Senator Bracket to have the commit.
tee indicate its decision preparatory tc
filing its official report with the AS
sembly was turned down by unanimous
decision, on the ground that the COM
mittee had limited jurisdiction and was
responsible only to the Legislature.
Upon denial Of the motion Senator
Bracket said that in event the defense
decided to continue the proceedings the
counsel would require from four to six
weeks to present the evidence.
The difficulties under which Justice
Strong labored in his efforts to obtain
indictments from an antagonistic Grand
Jury were clearly brought out during
the reading Of stenographic report OF
conversation between Justice Strong
and District Attorney Charles Weeks
of Nassau county. last February when
the road contracts were under investiga-
| tion.
The Justice, whose methods of pro
cedure incurred the anger of the mem
! bers Of the Nassau, County Bar Asso.
citation, insisted continually upon getting
indictments while the District Attorney
/ quite as emphatically contended tha
he was doing "the best he could
| II have presented everything we've
got" said the District Attorney in des-
peration after he had been prodded by
| teh presiding Justice.
| Justice Strong inquired with some ap.
| prehension at one point whether or no;
| the Grand Jury were being tamperet
with; and later became suspicious be-
cause J. Russell Sprague, a nephew OF
@. Wilbur Doughty, Republican leader
Of the county, had been seen In the res.
taurant of the Mineola courthouse talk.
ing with one Of the Grand Jurors.
1T Is too bod that anything like tha
| happens" remarked the Justice.
They go down to get lunch and they
see these men there" explained the Dis.
| trict Attorney.
Il have labored hard with that Grand
Jury" Mr.. Weeks added They think
you are trying to force your will upor
them. I am doing my best with them
have worked harder than have with
any other Grand Jury.
II know they have that impression.
| responded the Justice. at was reported
in the Grand Jury room that woult
give a years salary to indict Doughty
| II was reported that I attended n dinne
! at the Rockaway Hunt Club. bought,
spread that report himself"
That's news to me-" cheerfully replied
the District Attorney.