New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-14

;,o NJ, keenness in cross-ex animation In the Ring
suits This the last time ne actively
| pated In Jury trial. He argued q ralIroad case
bowever in Tennessee. as late as 1880, and con-
| tinued 10 advise in many important cases DOWN 10
Refore he had entirely recovered from his severe
illness there appeared in The Times an artic,e az
lacking his integrity as lawyer, Pa[tlcuiary
awarded Mrs. Forrest on the conclusion OF her dl
yOrce case Soon Otter Dir. OConor replied TO these
| charges Mt n meeting of the Bar Association, and
after thorough investigation committee reported
that there was no fonndation for the charges.
Mr.. OCOnOr, when about nifty years 0ld mar
ried Mrs. McCracken: She died in 1874. MI.
OConor moved from his home at Fort Washington
tn Nantucket Island in 1850, where he butt tne
house. II Is said that he was engaged during his
last years upon an autobiography He left an
estate valued at S1OOO0
DECLINING ALL NOMINATIONS TO OFFICE.
Mr.. OConor was never a politician. In his
younger days he was twice a candidate for Assist
ant Alderman from the Sixth Ward, and always
congratulated himself in after life that he was each
time defeated. During the hard and soft" dissen-
siOns of tho Democracy he was nominated for Lieu
nt-GOvernor by the lizards" and was defeated.
He consented to serve Disrict-Attorney for New
York under President Pierce, but it was only for
fifteen months. He was memberof the New-Y0rk
State Constitutional, Conventions of 1916 and
1864. When asked BY friends to become
tions lie understood his unpopularIty so well
that he simply replied that he could not be elected
to any oillce, even that OF constable ne was
mOusy.
MI. OConor was strongly opposed to the war of
the rebellion on Constitutional grounds and, on
the release of Jefferson Davis went upon his bail
bond. having before offered him his professional
services. lie besought during his life to accept
nominations without number, but uniformly Ie-
fused. The last was the tender of Il nomination for
the Presidency from certain Democrats who pro-
fessed TO be dissatisfied with the nomination OF Mr.
inn
tiOn as well az that of the Philadelphia Labor Re
form Convention held shortly before, but received
at the election in November 2l.559 votes. AS
lawyer he was cOnsummatcy able ana as re-
markable for his learning as for his end0Wments.
He was not only conspicuous for his learning Dut
was master of all tho honest articles of tho profess
sion, all the fair modes of palTying an opponents
thrusts, cOnciliating jury. TINS fairness was
never wanting. There wasnothing fiorld III his elo-
cutiOn. and plalnneSs cOmpactness ana VlgOr were
the leading characteristics Of his arguments There
something monotonouS i'll his delivery, Dut
never in his matter. In croSs-examination he was
the terror Of witnesses. He was so cool so quick
so mur1eTous in Tepartee. Tho books abound with
sparks of his neyer-talling wit.
PERSONALITY OF THE MAN.
n person Mr.. O'Conor was tall and erect, bis
figure always clad in black His features, framed
in the silver of thick. flowing hair and whskeTs
kept back to the very edges of his face, betrayed
his Celtic origin. His eyes were dark and piercing,
his forehead broad and high, his whole expression
keen and intellectual. He was abstemOus to the
last degree His professional income at the time
of his active practice was among the largest in
New-York, but his mode of life unOstenta-
tious his tastes were simple his charities large and
secret. He held TO his opinions with tho gIip Of a
man who came by them honestly. lie
was tenacious persevering, logged and
yet he was often impatient OF results.
In religion he was q sincere and earnest Roman
Catholic in private lie a man Of purity in word
and action. lii all his long life there is not deed
OF which he had need be ashamed. He leaves no
oI, 10. Ill he
of his native city his helTs-the heirs OF pure
and lofty renOwD.