The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-01-12
WHO LUCKY ONES ARE
Sketches Of Gov. Griggs' APP
pointees = Fine Words
Butter No Parsnips.

The appointment by Governor Grlggs
yesterday of ~ex-Judge job A. Blair to
the Judgeship of the Court of Common
Pleas and Judge James S. Erwin to the
-Prosecutorshfp of Hudson county was
simply the confirmation of a piece OF
news which has Travelled throughout the
county for weeks part. 1t therefore
created no surprise.
Mr.. John a. Blair. who will, on April l..
succeed Judge Robert S. Hudspeth. is one
of the best known lawyers in the count
He is a distinguished man not only in
letters but in law. a fluent and eloquent
speaker, and a lover of art. He belongs
to the very distinguished family of that
name in Warren county of this State,
where, in Knowlton, he was born on July
s. 1S4S. From school he went to the
Blairstown Presbyterian Academy and
| remained there until he entered Princeton
College. From that seat of learning he
was graduated in the class of 1866.
After leaving Princeton he entered the
law office of ]. G. Shipman in Belvidere.
and was admitted to the New Jersey bar
at the June term of 1859. Three years la
/ ter he was admitted a counselor, and
| came to Jersey City to practice. In 1877,
when the District Courts act was passed
| creating the office, the then Governor
]. d. Bedle appointed John A. Blair Judge
OF the Second District Court. Then in
| May, 1885, Mr.. Blair was appointed Cor
| poration Counsel, which office he held I'M
til 1889, but was reappointcd in 1894 by
Mayor Wanser, and holds the position to-
day. AS an orator Judge Blair has few
equals in the State. His memorial adj
dress on the death of President Garfield
was pronounced one of The most scholar
" efforts made on that theme.
For many years Judge Blair was presi-
dent of the Union League Club, in which
some time ago he made a mastery adj
dress on the occasion of a reception to
Ambassadors Phelps and Bird Grubb. At
| Republican conventions he is a familiar
| figure, and his opinion and weight in the
| party is great.
He is a bachelor and makes his home
in the Union Leagie~-Which, with the
| Palma Club. claims some of his leisure
moments. He is regular attendant of
the First Presbyterian Church of Jersey
City.
Judge Blair was seen by a News rep
~resentative this morning and after the
customary congratulations he was asked
to say something about his appointment,
and these were his words:-"I feel COM
| portant Office, although it involves a good
deal of labor. While / think / will be able
to dispose Of the work. 1 do not go into it
with boasting or pride"
James S. Erwin, the successor to. Chas.i
| W.. Winfield in the Prosecutors office, is
a Jersey City boy. He was born in 1897
and received his early education at Pub
lie Schools Nos. l and 3. Later he at
tended Cooper Union. where he complet-
ed his education. A year later he entered
/ Counsellor Washington B. Williams law
| office and was admitted to the Bar in
1881, and became a counsellor in 1884.
Some years ago he began his political
career in the Republican ranks. and his
party soon recognized his ability and
| sent him to the Assembly, where he made
a reputation as a honest. untiring and
Jealous member. He took a prominent
part in the discussions about the Ballot
Reform law and many other important
measures. He was appointed, during
Mayor Wanser's term, Corporation At
torney. but was three months later SUI
perseded by Mr.. Spencer Weart. Later
Governor Griggs lad him Judge of
the Second District Court, a position
made vacant by the death of Roderick
B. Seymour. He is the President of the
Hudson Bar Association and a very ac-
Minkakwa Clubs. Mr.. Erwin is mar
ricd, has a small family, and resides in
Greenville.
well today. Many called to congratulate
him. To a News reporter he said in
relation to his appointment My nomi-
Hudson county is another evidence of the
Governors confidence, which, however,
may prove tu1lo OF responsibility to me. II
confirmed. I shall try to my utmost en-
deavor to discharge the duties of the office
theoretically, and without fear or favor,
and so hat no scandals MAJ attach to
my administration of the same. The
| office is one where a clear, prompt and i'm
partial administration of its duties will
| restore the confidence of the public"
Since Mr.. Erwin's appointment is set
tied the next thing of moment is his sue
cessor in the District Court and the as
sistant prcsecutorship- Counsellor w. H.
Speer's name is mentioned for the Judge
ship. and in all likelihood he will receive
the honor. Mr.. Speer is an energetic
young-Eentleman, who about a year ago
/ turned his back on the Democratic party
and gave in his adherence to the G. O. p.
He has been an aspirant for office for
years. The present acting District Attor-
nev. William NJ. Klink, is talked of ev-
4 prvwhere as Mr.. Erwin's assistant. He
is at present serving as assistant to Mr..
Winfield,
the appointment of Judge Erwin as Prose-
cutor Will relieve Captain Jack Graham
4 and Assistant Health Inspector Edward
Mitchell of the necessity of serving the
county as H~Prosecutor's detectives. They
have been frequent visitors at the office
recently farniliarizing themselves with
the business.
The last appointment made yesterday
was that of Port .Warden of this county
and that plum fell into Colonel John j.
J Toffey's lap. He is too well known to
need any Introduction. Sheriff twice,
4 State Treasurer, and Government CON
[4s 1fn~ fas, frA Ellis T<fard rna5a75ras, ~