The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-19

for it. 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 he did
me at that trial.
1.-THE jury, however, were not unani-
nous. They hopelessly disagreed and
had to be discharged. 1 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 1 became an object of pop
ular sympathy. 1 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 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 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 1 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 were several of the most
prominent citizens of New York, who
were extremely anxious for the exon
fiA,, Of natf int dotat
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 verdict
clearing the prisoner from blame. Gro
l1er received the verdict without COM
ment and, giving it to his clerk. said
1.-THE prisoner is committed to the
Tonbs without bail"
Instantly there was a hubbub in the
room. The philanthropic millionaires
crowded up and denounced the action
vigorously, but Croker sat perfectly 81
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 nod said,
"Oficer, take him away"
In all Mr.. Cookers career I 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
decision. 1 never heard any man
complain that Richard Croker had re-
fused to give him a hearing, or that he
had not listened attentively. Listening
in fact, seems to be a fine art as Rich
ard Croker practices it. when I want
to know public sentiment" he once
said, 1T don't go to district leaders or
to representative men. I go around
town alone and talk with workingmen
who don't know me. The front platform
of a horse car is good place to find
out what 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 his knowl-
edge must be judged by what has been
said already. AS to his judgment. a
single instance is fairly illustrative.
When John Kelly died, Tammany
Hall was without leader. Among the
district leaders none was deemed
worthy to wear Kellys mantle, though
several coveted it, and 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
ence to none" Accordingly, for a con-
siderable. time, the executive committee
was without an acknowledged head
and as a matter of fact never knew
that 1t had leader until by iinper-
ceptible growth it came to be recog-
nized that there was one of the thirty
odd members whose advice was always
the best. From that moment Richard
Crokers leadership was undisputed
Whether or not he aspired to 1t when
he made the suggestion. 1t is certain
that dissension could have been avoided
in no other way. and his own prefer