New-York tribune., 1901-09-29
SERVANTS OF THE LAW
13fII- -FOUR ABLE MEN WHO CONDUCTED
THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSIN OF
PRESI DENT Nj KINLEY.

bench of Erie County where he has spent most |
of his life The young lawyers always like |
to argue their before Justice White |
because he has great patience with their short |
ccmings, and always tries to smooth over
their mistakes n a way that will not en-
harrass them. For this reason, perhaps, he is
really the subject Of more personal feelings of |
friendship among the younger lawyers than
other judges in the Eighth Judicial District.
Justice White born at Perrysburg, N. Y.
OF April 30, 1910, and is a lineaI descendant of
ELDER John White, who to this country in |
lG:2. Perhaps the secret of Justice Whites
Efforts 20 assist young lawyers lies in the fact !
that he himself went through hard struggle !
before he was admitted to the bar He re-
ceiycd his early education in the public and |
"eeiect' schools. and in 1889 and 1860 taught |
school i'll Langford, Erie County. In 1851 at
the outbreak Of the Civil War he enlisted in
Company D. 10th New-Yorl Volunteer Cavalry, |
a q private He worked as hard to merit pro- |
NJ: ion here he did TO win it at the bar, |
IN. in 1854. when he re-Cnsted, he had forced |
himself by his merit into a first lieutenantcy. |
Willie in the army he devoted his spare time to !
reading the elementary works on law, such as !
Kent and Blackstone, and in January, 1866, he |
began the actual study a recorded law stu
dent the office Of Judge stephen Lockwood
in this city. one year later ne was admitted TO
IN, bar. and from that time always took an
active interest III politics in favor of the Re
publican party.
IL 1SSI he nominated for judge of the
Superior Court. bat failed OF election by only
J votes ont OF "A total Of ::;ooO cast. In 1891 he
Hae renominated and elected by a majority of
auD in spite Of the fact that the Democratic
ssIayor elected by a majority Of 4..rS. He
served a Superior Court judge until that
court merged into the Supreme Court in
1896 when he became Supreme Court justice
Last fan his term expired and he was reelected
L. a big majority.
Justice Whites attitude the bench is cx-
lremeIy quiet and marked 10y little niceties OF
courtesy. He * never sarcastic. but says what
Ec thinks in a frank open manner that invites
confidence and respect. IL. is always consid-
crate of others. When the newspaper men were
sometimes unable /" hear a witness at tn,
uia. he personally would direct the witness TO
speak more loudly. This is only an instance OF
M thoughtfulness for others. He has been
known to hold over a motion and call young
lawyer aside to point out fatal error in his
papers. But with all his quiet kindly ways he
Is firm a rock when hin mind is decided.
II the face of public sentiment time ago
ne sent convicted of marslauEhtcr in the
aist degree to tlmra to be discharged accord
lnr to law. His reason not clear until the
died of consumption few weeks later
when, of course. all criticism ceased.
Thomas Penney. District Attorney OF Erie
County who conducted the prosecution of the
slayer of President Mckinley, was born in Eng
land, but came to this country when q lad and
graduated from Yale University He is a
:riminal lawyer OF great ability, and in Erie
County not only is considered an ideal prose
utor but has merted this reputation in many
important cases
His temperament is not Of the kind that in
common to many public men; he is inclined to
De cold. But man has more loyal friends
and the secret of these friendships is that the
personality which Mr.. Penney reveals to those
who close to IN is warm. sensitive and true
10 the
AIr Penney became District Attorney a little
more than TWO years ago, when Daniel J. kene-
fck, his predecessor in office, elevated to a
Supreme Court judgeship. year ago the va
Cancy 10 which MI Penney succeeded expired. a.d
he Was elected to his present place hy an over
Wheiming Republican majority, his campaign
having been managed by his friend. State Con
trollor Erastus c. Knight
Mr.. Penney is a little over forty years old
and is only a Ittlc over five feet tall. In his
less, and his large knowledge of criminal law
coupled with gift of deep and sometimes bit
ter sarcasm. has brought many criminal t.