Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-09

the way those odds came down as Je- rome warmed up in the campaign Be- fore it was half through they were even. Then the Republican candidate withdrew, and the convention of that party substituted the name of Jerome, although 1t was so late the courts knocked out the action. From that time forward the betting odds set in JerOme's favor, and before the fight ended they were as heavy for him as previously they had been against him.
 JerOme's issue throughout was a declaration of independence against the bosses, and he could not be divert ed from that line of attack. One of the most Illuminating incidents of the campaign was furnished by the Tam many candidate, James W. Osborne, formerly an assistant in the office He spoke of the great number of opportu- mites the district attorney had for get ting graft and remarked that If Je- rome didn't get 1t he was a fool''
 When the statement was shown to Mir Jerome he looked pensive for a moment and said gently, Poor Jimy' It stuck Mir Osborne remained Poor Jim throughout the campaign, and he will be fortunate to lose the ap- pellation during his life. Jerome's campaign slogan against Murphy has been, Where did he get it?' varied sometimes by Where did he not get itY' These two he has made as fa- nous as "Poor Jim
 A National Figure.
 The issue started by Mir. Jerome grew beyond the dreams of it's au- thor Before the end it became great moral crusade for the wiping out of boss control, civic reform wave sweeping all before it. The whirlwind campaign developed into cyclone of ballots by election day. The revolt against machine methods found such widespread response that it made of Jerome a national figure. Seldom, if ever, in modern political history has there been so unique fight, one so in volving the element of doing the right thing regardless of consequences, one so appealing to the imagination and the spirit of righteousness.
 William Travers Jerome was born in New York April IS, 1859. He comes of a distinguished family, his father, Lawrence R. Jerome, having been one of the best known men in the New York of an earlier day. He, too, was politician, but without any reform pro- cliyities. Millionaire banker, promoter, patron of sports, literature and art, practical joker and after dinner speak CT, Lawrence R. Jerome was consid cred a prince of good fellows. The story of the sons christening is worth telling. The elder Jerome was dining downtown with William R. Travers when a telegram was handed him an- nouncing the boys arrival.
 "W-what's the d-d-duffer's nameT' stammered Travers.
 William Travers Jerome" announc- hd the proud father. little knowing just how famous that name was destined to become
 Another story is told of the senior Jerome that, though old, may have been new when he sprung it. Being in a crowded Broadway bus, the father took William Travers. then boy of ten, on his knee. A stunning young lady came aboard and was compelled to stand. "Travers." reprovingly re- tiApked The father, "why do you not get up and give the lady your seatT'
 There is story told of the young mans youth indicating that he himself was not exactly a Sunday school boy. His mother remonstrated with him for playing cards. asking him if great deal of time were not lost in playing the game. "Yes, mother" he smiled in reply. .'there is-in shuffling and deal ing"
 An uncle of the district attorney, Leonard Jerome. was the man for whom the famous Jerome race track park was named
 A cousin is Lady Randolph Churchill, of whom Gladstone once said that she | could make more, votes than any cam paign orator in England.