New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-03
CAREER OF Mr.. WHITNEY.
An 4ctiue Life in Lac, Politics,
Finance and an Racing.

william, Collins Whitney was born July Is,
81 IN Conway Mass. the son Of General James
s whitney who was superintendent OF the Spring
field Arsenal in President Pierce's administration,
end Collector Of the Port OF Boston in the admins
traton OF President Buchanan. His early educa-
ton was In the williston Seminary. at Easthamp-
ton Mass. He graduated from Yale IN lSS'
standing high IN his class and being selected 10
deliver the class grafton. Among his classmates
was Professor William c. Sumner the well known
free trade writer. In 1855 Mr.. Whitney was grad
uated from the Harvard Law School
Coming to Newly ork fresh from the law scho'l'
afr Whitney entered the law Office OF Abraham
r Lawrence who later justice OF the Su-.
prenc Court. Mr.. Whitney soon was admitted TO
The bar. and for time continued the pracuoe VI
law in Mr.. Lawrences office. He acquired large
and valuable clientase. and his success as
lawyer was assured. Among the prominent suns
with which he was connected in his early career
az the bar the action FOR libel Yr"ueh. os
Charles Reade against Charles h s"eetset' Hui-
tor OF The Round Table" on account q seNeIe
criticism of the novel Griffith Garnt- Mr. WIN
,ey. s. this case. successfully conducted the de-
fence.
Mr. Whitney took high rank a corporation
LAWYER For several years he was counsel Tor me
Continental Life Insurance Company, OF "hlch no
was 4 director and also for the New-Jersey Mutual
Life Insurance Company, the Metropolitan steam
ship Company. the Tredegar Company. OF hich-
rond. Va. and other corporations In addition.
he was counsel for the holders OF certificates issued
by the receiver Of the New-York and Oswego Md
land Railroad and for the stockholders Of the St
Louis. Alton and Terre Hsute Railroad. For more
than two years he had the sole management OF the
Dayton and Union Railroad Of Ohio. as trustee
under the mortgage
ENTRANCE INTO POLITICAL LIFE.
With Mr.. Lawrence. Mr. Whitney made his en-
into political life in 1870 the beginning
OF the campaign against the Tweed ring. In 1871
he was associated with Samuel J. T1lden and
Others in the campaign when the Apollo Hall or
sanzation. OF which Mayor Wickham was the
head. aided in the overthrow OF the ring. In 1872
Mr. Whitney ran for District Attorney the
Apollo Hall ticket and was defeated. He after
ward Joined the Tsmmany Hall organization, but
remained in close relations with Mr. T1lden. In
1910 he appointed by Mayor Wickham 70 the
Office o. Corporation Counsel. succeed z. Della
held Smith. He twice reappointed TO the
position. resigning the Office in November. lss2
He was conspicuous in organizing the Young Mems
Democratic Club After Tammany's opposition TO
TilGen. Mr.. Whitney with others organized the
Irving Hall Democracy. When that fell into dis
repute he assisted in organizing the County De-
mOcracy. Mr. Whitney a close adviser OF
Hubert o. Thompson and the other leaders against
Tanmany. but did not himself take a conspicuous
public part against that organization He
gardec. however by Tammany men as perhaps
their most dangerous opponent
In the Office OF Corporation Counsel Mr. Whitney
was the citys legal adviser. but he was also the
political adviser OF hts faction OF the Democratic
party. which In power. He then acquired
great influence in Democratic politics in the city
SERVED AS CORPORATION COUNSEL.
Mr. Whitney's record Corporation Counsel was
considered excellent. In his letter 70 Mayor Grace
conveying his resignation. after explaining that MS
determination 20 retire based on rersonal
reasons. Mr. Whitney said
wiz cause 20 be placed on file in the co-nors
Won OoGnseIe office short statement shovfne
We expenses OF the department the time I TOOK
Once ano since ard memorandum OF a few az
lhe more important matters dealt with during nv
tefIl SufIce u 10 say that the expenses pvere
ouceo by me about 90 per cent during the f-sr two
years o. my incumbency and have been stflI fur
tner reduced since. And 10 the business ~ me
ONCE this Is 70 be said Upon the Downfall OF the
ing: IN l6A, and the accession OF honest public
shutt:ng down peremptorily upon pending ,ncora-
pleteo business and contracts. The 1urt presume
Ion was that everything f:eGsulent sTbe
Gains arising out OF these matters
the Law Department in the shape Il suits; and in
no when ] took Office, the number of live suits
pending against the city was about 3 800 intoi,--
lng. according TO rough estimate made by me IL,
lssS not less than $50 600 go largely fraudulent
ms department was the final breskwater against
which al the driftwood OF the ring times piled up
OF the Controllers office-for IL has always beer
such ouriDE my time--hir class OF has been
almost without exception defeated and wiped out.
Thus much as to the expense and the results
OF the department work
IN cLEVELANDs CABINET
Mr. whitney's ability 20 persuade other city
Democrats against what be regarded foolish
politics gained for him time the OF
fool killer" His wealth and social position In
the city helped TO Increase his influence His mar