Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-18

say anything about him now. for he has
long since seen what cruel mistake he
made and has done all he could, pub
licly and privately, to make atonement
for 1t. He is still 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 h did
me at that trial.
THE 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 l was innocent. and instead of be-
ing crushed 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 1t was due to me
to compel them to send the case before
another jury and take steps 10 force on
another trial. Then the district attorney
entered 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 Tammany Hall delega-
ton. gave to the judge who had tried
mn tilc nomination u lut
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 little Italian child who had
| died in n charitable institution after
brutal treatment by the acting super
| intendent, Among the trustees of the
institution were several of the most
prominent citizens OF New York. who
were extremely anxious for the exon
GRAFTON OF the acting superintendent,
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 dcmonstrative and so impressed
the jury that the latter, against the
| weight of evidence, brought In n verdict
| clearing the prisoner from blame. Cro-
| kcr received the verdict without COM
ment and. giving it to his clerk, said,
The prisoner is committed to the
| Tombs without bail"
Instantly there was n hubbub In the
room. The philanthroplc millonaires
crowded up and denounced the action
vigorously, but Croker sat perfectly ST.
lent and to all appearance unmoved.
Z " men Alle crown ndtl Ndu ltS say 10 me
last word, he turned his head and in
dicating the prisoner by nod said.
"ohicer, take him away"
In all Mr.. Cookers career never
knew him to be swerved more than he
was then by any influence whatever
after he had decided as to his course.
That is one trait that makes him what
he is.
Apparently he is never hasty in such
a decision. l never heard amy man
complain that Richard Croker had re-
fused TO give him hearing. or that he
had not listened attentvely Listening,
in fact. seems to be "A fine art as Rich
ard Croker practices it. when l want
to know public sentiment" he once
said 81 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 horse car Is a good place to find
out what the people think"
Tho best analysis of Richard Croker
seems to Indicate that his influence 10
the result of his Judgment and his
knowledge of New York men and con-
.ditiuns. How he has obtained his l1nowi-
edse must be Judged by what has been
SAID already, AS 10 his Judgment. a
single Instance Is fairly illustrative.
Whom John Kelly died. Tammany
Hall was without u leader, Among the
district leaders none was deemed
Worthy 90 wear Kelly's mantle, though
shvcral coveted it, ana serious splits IN
the party seemed imminent 1t was
Richard Cookers advice that averted
that result Let us manage our affairs
In full council" he said. giving prefer
once to none" Accordingly. for CON
siderable time. the executive committee
va7 without an Acknowledged head
. and as matter OF fact never know