New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-24
TILE CRONIN MYSTERY.
quents,

The discovery Of Dr. Cronins mahgleu to
r,,ir. IN sewer catch basin has impaired
energy to the Chicago police authorltieS' ror
three weeks they had justified their lhacuoh
by pleading that there was no positive evidence
~ rnurder and by eagerly accepting various
cocl- and bull stories respecting his mysterious
iournevs TO Canada and England. They now
have no pretext for soepticism in regard to the
crime of which there was before strong cir
cumstantial evidence. The fact that the body
Law a few blocks from the place where the
empty trunk was found Immediately after DR.
C,ou;ns disappearance indicates that the police
have been in possession of important clews to
the mystery for several weeks but have neg
Iected to act upon their information. The
prisoner, Woodruff, who at first declared that
a woman's body had been put in the trunk now
admits that the trunk and Cronin mysteries arc
one and the same thing, and that he can furnish
decisive information to the police. III there
had been intelligent direction OF the case from
the beginning, the conspirators would not nave
been allowed abundant leisure for covering up
their tracks and probably escaping from Chi
capo. The detectives will undoubtedly soon
oat IN the bottom of this extraordinary murder,
but they will be more fortunate than they de.
serve IN be il thew succeed after protracted
and unnecessary delay in running down the
aSSassinS.
DR.. Cronin had been an active member OF
the Clan ma Gael and other Irish American So
cieties in Philadelphia, st. Louis, Chicago ana
other cities He had been closely associated
with other leaders in various movements for
effectine a reorganization Of the National
League and for expelling from power those
whom he and his associates described as cOnSd-
tuting an Irish ring His disappearance and
murder have naturally been attributed TO
Vaccinations of his opponents, who perceived
in him a troublesome agitator against them
selves. The numerous iictiOns put IN ciTula-
ton respecting his connection with malpractice
case, the suspicious excited respecting his 10y
atty to the Irish cause and his employment as
spy by the British Government have prob
ably been inspired by enemies who had been
either alarmed or irritated by his criticisms oil
the financial management of the League. IL Is
not probable, however, that the campaign which
he had been waging against the so-called Irish
ring was regarded by his opponents as Of serious
Importance. The theory that he was murdered
in order to prevent discriminating disclosures OF
financial Encouragement seems untenable. DIR.
Cronin was an honest investigator, persistent
agitator and nan of considerable ability but
he was too inconspicuous figure in Irish
| American politics 10 excite the animoSites OF
the real leaders Of the League.
| 1t is probable that this murder was crime
| of private vengeance in which small group
of minor rivals or personal enemies are really
| implicated. His medical practice offered IA
ciIities for entrapping him in some secret place
where the fatal assault may have been pre-
arranged and easily accomplished lie was
undoubtedly lured to the scene of the murder
by some fictitious demand for his professional
services. Within a few months another Irish
agitator, also physician, has narrowly escaped
a similar fate, two deliberate attempts having
been made to decoy him late at night on false
representations to places where medical aid was
not required, and where the ends Of private
vengeance could readily have been comprised
II is undeniable that there are bitter feuds and
broils in the management OF various Irish
American societies, but it is scarcely credible
that conspiracieS for the murder Of Troublesome
antagonists should be formed by those high in
authority. The Cronin mystery bears unmiS
taxable evidence Of being minor plot insti
gated by two or three personal enemies. What
ever may have been the real motives for tho
crime the facts should be brought to light with
out further delay. The Chicago police have
exposed themselves to cenSure and rdicule b.
their lethafgy and credulity.