The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-11-01
ELV|N v. CRANE
His Successful Career As
Prosecutor Of Essex
County
FAITHFUL AND EFFICIENT
Compliments Paid to His
Ability and Skill by
the Court.
SOME FAMOUS CASES He HAS TRIED
EminentIy Fitted by His Train
ing to Be Governor of
New Jersey.
EXPERIENCED IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS
His Election Guarantee That the
Affairs OF the State Will Be
Economically Administered.
EXPERIENCED IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS
His Election a Guarantee That the
Affairs OF the State Will Be
Economically Administered.

Elvin w. Crane the Democratic candi-
date for Governor Of New Jersey, is emf
nently fitted for that high office by train
ing and education. His standing both as
a citizen and a member of the Essex
county bar has never been assailed, even
by the most unscrupulous enemies. His
long career as Prosecutor of Essex has
shown him to be an efficient and pains
taking public official. The duties Of every
office which he has filed have been dis
charged in such conscientious manner
that no one doubts his ability to discharge
to the best interests OF the people dhy
position they may call upon him 10 ilil
When a young man. Mr.. Crane entered
the office OF BradaeN & Abeel, where ne
studied law and, while stii quite young
he was admitted TO tine bar Sometime pe-
tore this. Mr.. Bradley Was made United
States supreme Court judge and M
Abeei was appointed Prosecutor for Es-
sex county. During the greater part OF
the latter's term OF office Mr.. Crane act
ed as his assistant, and he continued TO
serve in the same capacity under Prose-
The training received under Messrs.
Abeel and Keen proved valuable 70 him
VI hen shortly aIter his term OF Assem-
hlyman expired, Mr.. Crane was appointed
Prosecutor for this county by Governor
Green. In 1854 he was reappointed for an
other five years by Governor Werts. Dur
ing his incumbency in this important Oh
ice be has been trusted by The pub
lic admired by lawyers and dreaded by
criminals. In his uhostentatious manner
he he's conducted his office with high
senseso OF just e5ces to all MANY an innocent
man, unfortunate enough 10 be mixed up
in some trouble owes his liberty to Prose-
cutor Crane. The same feeling makes
him relentless in cases of hardened often
ders, and well they know It, particularly
the class known as wife-beaters.
Mr. Crane is frequently called upon to
advise the Grand Jury on the law gov
erning the various cases and then he also
has people visiting him from allsparts OF
the county to make various complaints.
He treats all with courtesy and directs
them to the proper officials, so that their
troubles may be speedily ended. Two de-
tectives. William F. Volk and John
Casale. are assigned for duty under Mr..
Cranes directions and they are generally
kept busy. They hunt up missing wit
nesses and do a lot of first-class detective
work which enables the Prosecutor in
many cases TO present a strong case. Mr..
Crane realizes the value of the detectives.
He always prepares his OWN cases, how
ever. and as some lawyers and prisoners
know to their sorrow. he does 1t mighty
wei land without any delay. The prepara-
! ton OF an important case for trial is a
some law work and with it ali Mr.. Crane
manages to keep pretty busy. So does
his assistant, Louis Hood.
In framing indictments, Mr.. Cranes
work has been invariably held by the
Court TO be in good legal form. None of
his murder indictments has ever been
to quash the trolley indictments were de-
MED by Judge Depue. All the most irn-
portant indictments are the result of his
labor: that is, he puts them into the. be-
wildering legal phraseology which law
yers reve, in, and which. It seems, Is an
absolute necessity in each true BILL
Mr. Crane has long been regarded as an
adept at this kind of work
One of the most recent trials of import
ance in which Mr.. Crane appeared was
the Malinak murder case. The defend-
ant was charged. with having murdered
counsel tried hard TO save their client
from the galiows but they were met at
every Joint of vantage by the wide
awake Prosecutor, who secured the pris-
oner's conviction Malinak was hanged.
One of the greatest legal Battles ever
fought in this county was that which
ended in the conviction of Henry Kohl.
who was charged with the murder of his
cousin. His trial lasted the greater part
of two weeks. The defence tried to
prove an alibi and to show that the al
legged victim. Joseph Prenel, had really
committed suicide. 1t was said by law
yers that never was criminal case bet
was one more skillfully presented. The
Prosecutor, with two lawyers opposing
him. displayed his usual skill in the cross
examination of the witnesses and he had
plenty of them to listen to. Seven hours
and a half was the time he took to sum
up the case for the State when the evil
dence was all in. Tt was a great speech.
Nothing was missed; nothing was slight
ed. It was then that those in the court
room marveled at the wonderful memory
witnesses had testified on both sides. and
yet he referred in detail to their testi-
mony without referring to notes or the
stenographer's copy of evidence ex-
cept to prove that he was right when
the defendants counsel said he was
wrong in quoting something. The speech
was at once eloquent and logical. The
prisoner was found guilty sfter the jury
was out several hours and then his coun-
sci began the task of fighting for delay
in the various courts. The Federal Courts
upheld the Prosecutors contentious for
a long time, until the Court of Errors and
Appeals decided, on technical point,
But two Of the principal witnesses being
then unavailable. one having died and
the other having disappeared, a new trial
was impossible. so Kohl was released.
HIS wife's head off, Mr.. Crane won a VIC
tory through sheer alertness and ability
to cross-exami1e. Michael T. Barrett
counsel for Bermes. took advantage of
every technical point to save his client,
accidental. Hermes told good story
when he was put upon the stand. out MI.
Crane led him into traps only to catch
him; he coaxed him on only 70 trip him.
ard never once did he lose his control
over the man. Thick and fast he hurled
his questions MS the witness. The latter
became confused he stamnered under the
fire Of inquiries. Then ne became pale
ard red by turns, and finally under that
wonderful cross-exa mInation he wavered;
Suddenly he collapsed Tears flowed down
his cheeks. and like q wild animal at bay,
he SAT before the Prosecutor. completely
ct The latter mercy. Mr.. Crane mere1-
fs1jiF refraired from pressing the fallen
man too hard He had trium5hed but his
xietory brought him no JOY. HArmes was
rssk;sd ,a 69r I'M tins 1,s By ts sereess s
6i1fU bound to p11f him fl5f04ief ana