The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-19

say anything about him now, for he has
long since seen what a cruel mistake he
made and has done all he could, pub
licly and privately, to make atonement
for il. He is still a judge of the supreme
court, and many times he tells me that
the only object he has left in life is to
make atonement for the injury he did
me at that trial.
''Tne jury, however, were not unani-
nous. They hopelessly disagreed and
had to be discharged. / was released on
bail, being held in bonds to come up at
any time for a new trial., But, notwith-
standing the malice of my enemies and
the charge of the judge, the people saw
that I was innocent. and instead of be-
ing crushed l became an object of pop
ular sympathy. / continued in my office
as coroner, and no effort was made to
bring me again to trial. John Kelly,
however. insisted that it was due to me
to compel them to send the case before
another jury and take steps to force on
another trial. Then the district attorney
entered a nolle pros. and admitted that
he had no case, and so the matter drop
ped, SO far as the courts are concerned"
Years afterward Richard Croker as
chairman of a Tammany Hall delega-
ton. gave to the judge who had tried
him for murder the nomination to the
supreme court bench. No word was
spoken of the past. but two men that
day appreciated one of the dramatic
situations of life.
Twenty odd years ago I reported an
inquest held by Coroner Croker in the
case of a little Italian child who had
died in a charitable institution after
brutal treatment by the acting super
intendent Among the trustees of the
institution We're several of the most
prominent citizens of New York, VINO
were extremely anxious for the exon
Grafton of the acting sup erintendent,
whom Croker had placed under arrest
and who was present at the inquest as
a prisoner. Under the lax methods Of
the coroner's court these citizens were
very demonstrative and so impressed
the jury that the latter. against the
weight of evidence, brought in a verdict
clearing the prisoner from blame. Cro-
ker received the verdict without COM
ment and. giving it to his clerk. said,
Tombs without ball.
Instantly there was a hubbub in the
room. The philanthropic millionaires
vigorously, but Croker sat perfectly ST.
lent and to all appearance unmoved.
When the crowd had had its say to the
last word, he turned his head and in
dicating the prisoner by a nod said.
Officer. take him away"
In all Mr.. Croker's career I never
knew him to be swerved more than he
was then by any influence whatever
aFs An ri
That is one trait that makes him what
he is.
Apparently he is never hasty in such
a decision. / never heard any man
complain that Richard Croker had re-
fused to give him hearing, or that he
had not listened attentively. Listening.
in fact. seems 20 be a fine art as Rich
ard Croker practices il. When / want
to know public sentiment" he once
said, Il don't go to district leaders or
to representative men. / go around
town alone and talk with workingmen
who don't know me. The front platform
OF a horse car is q good place to find
out wha. the people think"
The best analysis OF Richard Croker
seems to Indicate that his influence Is
the result OF his Judgment and his
knowledge OF New York men and con-
ditions. How he has obtained mis- knowi-
edge must be judged by what has been
said already. AS TO his Judgment.
single instance is fairly illustrative
When John Kelly died. Tsmmany
Hall was without leader. Among the /
district leaders none was deemed Z
worthy TO wear Ke!ly's mantle. though /
several coveted II and serious splits N
the party seemed imminent Il was I
Richard Crokers advice that avertei 4
that result Let Us manage our affairs /
in full council" he said. giving prefer +
encs 10 none Accordingly. Ger q con-
siderable time. the executive committee +
was without an Acknowledged head .
and as a matter ot fact never knew