New-York tribune., 1901-10-13
UNGER HAS NO DEFENCE.
FvADEs JUSTICE JERONE'S CHARGE
AND MAKES DARK HINTS ABOUT
HIS SPONSORS.

The direct charge made by Justice William
Travers Jerome. the fusion candidate for Dis
+4ct Attorney that the nomination Of Henry
". Unger for District Attorney on the Tam
many ticket was forced by Frank Farrell, the
poolroom king and ally OF Tim" Sullivan and
William s Devery in the Tammany gambling
syndicate was a telling thrust. It placed Unger
and the Tamnany men upon the defensive yes
terday Justice Jerome made the charge in no
uncertain manner. II was said yesterday that
Justice Jerome only wished that Unger would
deny It in order that he might turn in and
prove it. All the facts are said 10 be in the
hands Of Justice Jerome. and he did not make
the charge without the surety that the proof
would be forthcoming II it was demanded.
The nomination OF Unger has caused wide
spread criticism. Even Croker is surprised at
the way the nomination has been taken. In and
out Of the organization IT has been condemned
as rank piece Of political piracy. The charge
that all the gambling combine is after is to
have Unger made District Attorney in order
that the poolrooms and gambling houses not in
the combine" can be driven out Of business,
and those in the combine" protected, is believed
by many District Attorney PhiIbin's dignihed
rejection OF Unger and his Characterization Of
him as q candidate were mild compared TO what
many Tammany men said yesterday.
Ungers unhtness for the Office is realized, II
was said yesterday, by Croker and many lead
ers in the organization. Farrell Devery and
Sullivan demanded that Unger be named, and
Croker had no option but to accept him. Even
such District Attorney as Asa Bird Gardiner
found Enger almost unbearable. 1t IS recalled
that at one time Nj Gardiner. who personally
could condone almost any political Incompetence
roguery. was inclined 10 remove Mr.. Unger,
who was al that time his assistant He re-
Trained from doing so only because Sullivan,
Devery and Farrell demanded his retention.
The cause Of Mr.. Gardeners desire TO remove
Unger dates back 10 March. 1899. At that time
many leaks from the grand jury room were no.
ticed The news Of the indictment Of William
S. Devery. Chief Of Police, was made known
70 Devery the day before the grand jury made
its report Il was said at the time. and subse-
Quently. It is declared. II was proved that Mr.
Cnger had communicated the fact OF Devery's
Indictment TO Senator Sullivan, and Sullivan, in
turn, to-U Devery.
Unger was taxed with giving out this infor-
nation He said in reply, TO quote g newspaper
article published at the time: IT gave out
grand Jury Indictment before it was found. I
admit It was & transgression OF the rules, and
an sorry now that I did. I am alone to
blame"
Colonel Gardiner said at the time: 'T don't
KNOW what can do but order his discharge.
ne Is useful man. but his offence is a serious
one"
Colonel Gardiner did not remove Unger, for
Farrell Devery and Sullivan, then powerful
N The organization although not so strong as
az present, demanded that he be retained. He
was kept in Office until District Attorney Phil
bin gave him leave TO resign Unger has
Kept in close touch with the gambling com
pine" and II is believed by those who know the
inside workings Of Tammany that Frank Far
.el Old force his nomination for District At
'orhey aided by Devery, Sullivan and Sexton:
An effort made yesterday TO get MI
Shger 10 deny specifically the charge Of Justice
SeroIne. This he refused to do, and in answer
ing questions showed great stiffness. When
asked directly II he would affirm or deny the
easily;
Why should I affirm or deny It? Why should
: say anything at all about what Jerome saysT'
Your denial that Frank Farrell was your
sponsor would not hurt you in political way
I don't care 10 affirm or deny the story"
Nhat have you to say OF Mr.. Philbin's cr1u-
esin ot you2 Surely you resent it?'
All Ar. Cnger would say was TO intimate that
HLstrlct Attorney Philbin was jealous Of his sue
cess in the criminal law.
Justice Jerome mentioned your connection
Will the B-ssert case" II was remarked.
II Is the duty Of every lawyer TO practice law
- - defend bis clients. 1 have no excuse TO make
4
raw Bissert in my life until I met him in court
sno my appearance in the due TO my
friendship for brother lawyer, Fred House
Mho was stricken the fat Of his back and 70
shon the District Attorney had refused an ad-
1curnment"
Have You nothing TO say in reply 10 Justice
serome's charger"
would not dignity such a statement by a
Neit.aL II is unworthy Of notice"
since your answer implies denial or tne
rsgohsorship 81 Of Farrell perhaps you VIII ten
your sponsors suggested.
NJ ~ Jerome knows. he knows more than DO.
"ng don't you ask Chauncey NJ. Depew?'
Snauncey II. Depew?"
n Yes Depew. and the justices Of the Supreme
ssV1t, all Of them, and OF the Criminal Courts,
'S They can tell you why was nominated.
.Leeht by he last statement, but none could
NaIow any light on IL.
Seoge Rufus 3. Cowing, Of General Sessions,
SAG that he was too surprised TO talk
90 not believe that I add anything TO
s.lat Mr.. Cnger said continued the Judge. 81
- not expect that Mr.. Unger would get the
.s.l.Anauon So to begin with. but instead thought
a. pas was TO be offered TO Vernon NJ Davis.
81 = Here the judge paused a moment, and
g. 80 - added: But believe that Justice Jerome
.ssslng Mr.. Unger a pretty good fight"
solhe say that he has him on the run" sug-
-seo the reporter.
as only reply was hearty laugh.
senator Depew was not In the city last night
GENERAL sICKLEs FOR LOW.
sen Low recently received the following from