The Washington times., 1904-04-17

Judge Parixers first political Office was
that OF surrogate OF Ulster county, to
which he was elected in 1871. In the Of
fee he served q second term. His en-
trance into politics. according to an in
vestigatOr. was due to the influence or
his old master in the law, Judge Schoon-
rnasseE who had been retired by self
setting politicians. BY taking up the
campaign of Schoonmaker I'm Ulster
county, Parker became one of the favor
ties OF Samuel ]. Tilden, and in 1885
was chairman of the State executive
committee of New York's Democracy.
This was when David B. Hill was elect
ed governor Hnl was the governor who
appointed Parker to the supreme court.
First Political Fight.
Parker threw himself into the contest
in behalf of his old TUTOR with unexam-
pied fervor and interest. He worked
with consuming devotion all the time
the campaign lasted When II was end
ed he emerged triumphant. and with the
earnest gratitude OF every whole-souled
Democrat in that section OF the State
10 his credit He had won and the enc
mes that had attempted 10 undermine
him had been defeated Schoonmaker
had been abundantly justified
1T is due to you, my boy" said Judge
Schoonmaker.
Il have been happy enough that 1
have been able TO serve you" said Par
ker, and here the incident ended.
Youngest on Bench.
Parker was one of the youngest men
on the bench when he was nominated by
the Democrats Of the State to succeed
himself. At this time he was thirty
three years old. The Republicans did
not deem it tit to nominate anyone in
opposition and the Democratic nominee
was Overwhelmingly elected. He served
on the supreme court bench until he
was elected chief judge of the court OF
appeals in 1897, by about 65,OOO plurality.
The bitter opponents OF Judge Parker
make much capital of his friendship
with ex-senator Hill and OF the sup
posed domination OF Parker under the
Hill influence. The facts of the matter
seem to be all the other way; Hill is
very much more largely under Parker S
influence than is Parker under the in
fuence of HILL Republican politicians
tell the story that when a Senator from
New York was elected by the Demo
cratic party Parker could have had the
place instead of Hill and that it was
due to the formers positive declination
the office did not go TO him. 1t is said.
| at any rate, that Hill himself endeav-
| ored TO cast the Senatorial toSa about
Judge Parker's shoulders.
Mckinley and Hanna.
A decade ago the lamented Mckinley
was said TO be completely under the
domination of Mark Hanna. Cartoon
! lists everywhere pictured the President
as the plant tool of the magnate of
money and machine politics. 1t was
/ only when time had arranged broader
persDective that ii was perceived that
\ Mckinley and not Hanna was the domi-
mating force IN that unique partnership
of affection. Those who know the facts
about the men say that when time has
been given its opportunity it will regis
| ter a similar verdict about Hill and Par
/ ker
Il is to the village of Esopus that ne
goes to seek seclusion, on the farm that
| he calls Rosemont, which fronts the
Hudson. The place is about sixty miles
below the judges workshop at Albany
At Rosemont Judge Parker lives the life
of a sturdy farmer. His house. a mod
est frame structure. stands upon the
stone foundations OF d Dutch colonial res
idence. Here he cares for his sheep.
cattle and pigs; here he divests himself
of the judicial ermine and puts on the
garb of the farmer.
His Personal Tastes.
Personally Judge Parker is one OF the
best informed and most practical farm