The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-08

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and efficient official, a sword imminent
above the heads of wrong doors, Off
cial and unofficial. Judge Jerome stands
absolutely alone in one respect; there
are no rewards to bestow for political
services in his new office, because there
is no tiger behind him threatening his
integrity for private gain. The loyal
admirers, the decent fellows who
wanted him elected because they were
swayed by the energy, the vitality of
the man, stand around and admire him
In the intervals of his duties on the
bench OF the Court of Special Sessions
they wait, holding on tightly to their
own integrity of purpose as they look
INTO his face. lest they might yield to
the old political system of asking a
favor-and Nhereby be forever cast
out of Jerome's good books.
Jerome has a radiant smile, an I'M
mistakably sympathetic personality,
but it is not the sympathy of the SEN
timentalst. 1t is the wisdom of his
mind that clarifies thing about him,
and it is more far-reaching than mere
sentimental sympathy. l spent the first
day after his election in the Specia.
Sessions court room with him, sur
rounded by ignorance, misery, vicious
ness, suffering and all the mistfortunes
of criminal atmosphere. His honor,
being the presiding judge, sat between
his two associates. in the gorgeous silk
judges gown, which he wore more
unconcernedly and with less pomp and
owIishness than either of his associates.
He conducted the examinations very
often personally, and when he spoke
it was so clearly. with so much steam
behind the words, that every accent
was distinctly heard throughout the
room. The cases were not important
in a news sense, but it was noticeable
that whereas his associates were in
terested in the law of the matter chief
ly, the cold, stern letter of the law,
Judge Jerome was keenly alert TO the
human side of prisoners and witnesses.
For instance, 'longshoreman with
a big face, a small, close cropped
bullet head in the witness chair felt
no restraint in giving his testimony, but
talked colloquially, intimately with
the judge after the latter had said to
him in his peculiarly democratic
fashion:
Nov. then, Foley. tell us all about
this fight, and what you saw of it."
and settled back in his chair, COM
fortably attentive.
"A judge who has no heart has no
bushes to be on the criminal benach."
he said to meione day in his chambers
as he signed Ia bail bond that was
none to solid, releasing a poor woman
he had previously committed for steal
five cents.
But it is not on that side OF his
nature that ! wish to dwell, for as
public prosecutor of the city of New
York his duties will be to press for
punishment, TO cleanse the city of its
criminal elements. The word vice" as
a word is too squeamishly evaded by
the respectable element of great city.
and 1t is rarely that it's conditions are
explained to any community. | think
II is Jerome's battle with the insinuat-
ing villiany that most men deplore, but
are afraid to touch, that has given
him an almost national reputation as
a reformer.
81 do not believe that the form OF
government in municipal control is so
important" said the Judge. "as the
personality of the men who conduct
the affairs"
"Vice in men is subject to moral
suasion. you Think" I suggested. "Vice
is the opposite Of virtue. and in bad
men usually sinks =vay when he is
pointed out. There is always a flicker
Ing spark or awe of the ten command
ments, in mans nature, no matter how
black that nature be. You know II is
quite possible 10 exaggerate wicked
ness, to be puritanical, narrow In ones
estimate of human nature. No man
is all devil; in fact, the law provides,
In its decisions for a reasons able doubt,
always in favor Of the accused, some
what, on this account"
But the law has no sentiment" I
ventured.
The law allows you most positive
ly TO look at the sentiment in any
motive for crime a Judge must al
ways take these things into consider
alton"
And a district attorney