Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

w no IS jerome 2 Inc question is OIIen
asked by people distant from the scene
Of his activities. A correspondent Of the
Pittsburg Dispatch answers the question
in this way: First, Jerome is by birth
and tradition exactly the opposite OF what
would naturally be expected Of a man who
has consistently run counter to the creeds
and customs of the perfumed seigneurs who
were his fore-fathers for many generations.
II Is a popular fallacy among large
majority OF people that the district at
torney is a man Of the people, who has
inherited a great sympathy with the
masses, and has carved his own way to
prominence. AS a matter of truth and record
he descends from the aristocrats OF aristo-
Gratis, and the blood which flows In his veins
is Of the bluest His father was Lawrence
w. Jerome, whose fame as bon-ViVant
among old metropolitans still hourishes'
Broker, banker lover of sports OF all
kinds, practical Joker, wit, patron Of art;
Itterateur and millionaire, Larry" Jerome
was welcome guest at every high social
function Of the 400" of the last generation
and was never known in his widest
escapades to violate lies conveniences.
In a somber but imposing mansion Just
opposite the appellate court in Madison
square and in the heart of what was then
the aristocratic residence section or the
city, young Jerome was born and received
his name by the hazard of a coin-as the
story goes William II. Travers, wealthy,
suffering stock broker, and Lawrence
Jerome were close friends, and when the
latter announced the birth of son and
heir while at dinner in Delmonico's with
his friend Mr.. Travers asked what name
had been selected for the infant. Il don't
know whether 70 call him Lawrence, Jr.,
or William Travers," responded the rather
''T-t-toss up for it," suggested Mr. Trav-
ers And they did. with the result that the
future district attorney was christened VIII
liam Travers. No wonder the district at
torney is possessed of a nerve that refuses
10 quail at the threats of the most power
full political bosses. His uncle. Leonard
Jerome, was the first man to make great
fortune by daring speculations on wall
street and stories Of the cool nonchalance
with which he won or lost large sums on
the click OF the ticker are still extant on
the street Jennie Jerome, youngest daugh-
ter OF Tenoard Jerome aEd full first cousin
OF the district attorney, became Lady Ran
dolph Churchill. She shares with her
cousin his political ability, for Gladstone
once said or ner tnaJ SHe COulu WIN iAiNiO
votes than any campaign orator In Eng
land.
Although the impression prevails gener-
ally that Jerome is the first politician to an
nounce a platform Of mo boss" and to APP
peal direct to the people, such is not the
fact. and in at least three instances within
the last eight years candidates have shown
their faith in the all-powerfulness OF the
ordinary American citizen. In one Instance
the candidate was successful, and in the re-
naming two success was nearly achieved.
Whether Jerome's essay to prove that this
principle is applicable to New York politics
is successful or not. II is generally thought
that no man Is better htted to undertake
the task Despite his vigorous and uncom-
promising prosecution OF offenders against
the law the district attorney is decidedly
favorite Of the masses and he has in
creased this popularity immeasurably by
taking up his abode for number OF years
in Rutgers street, on the East Side, In the
center of the habtations Of the foreign
classes, and in this manner has come into
direct contact with the poorer people and
felt the pulse of the masses at close quar-