New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-23
E-OSBORNE TILT.
CHARGE He Has Not made Good
Drascs Formers Fire.

with y hitter attack District Attorney
Jeromes official record and personal character
istics James w. Osborne, the Tammany nan
candidate for District Attorney who formerly
was Mr. Tcrome's right hand man, called on the
District Attorney yesterday to prove his state
ments and defend his record He declared, cit
ing specific cases. that Mr.. Jerome. with larger
staff than his predecessors had not accom-
plished as important results as they had He
demanded proof of Mr.. Jerome's reiterated
statements that he was "puppet, dancing to
strings pulled by the bosses
The attack stung Mr. Jerome to reply IN
which he answered Mr.. Osborne's taunts by de-
claring that Mr.. Osborne was simply repre-
sentative of Murphy of Good Ground, therefore
not TO be considered personally In the hghL
He was in no sense the choice OF the people as a
candidate said the District Attorney-he repre-
scented simply a political boss's ideas, and was
too true and loyal a man, II elected Dlstrlct
ATTORNEY not TO be faithful to the men who
had created him.
RanIvine to the specific case quoted by Mr.,
rohorna Mr. Jerome defended his administra-
ton. In most cases he was able to answer the
ARGUMENTS from memory Some of the cases
cited would need to be disproved by the records
IN his of1ce he said adding that such disproof
would be easy.
Mr. Osborne seemed deeply hurt by the declar-
alton OF his old chief that he was 'puppet'
his strings pulled by Murphy. Jerome ought
to know me better than that said he i wah'
to ask him just question: What have oohe
or said what has Jerome heard or seen to make
hin, believe that? Let him tell me, as gentle
man"
Mr.. Osbornes statement, in part, follows
Mr. Jerome has stated in effect that the other
candidates for the office of District Attorney, in
c1,,5i ToI-S are IL, II
be subServent to political influence. rms IS a
direct charge against me that am puppet IN
the hands of a political boss, and that my al
ministration of the Office will be controlled by
political considerations. denounce TINS charge
as false, in whole and in part ana l say that
Mr. Jerome must have known 1t to be false
when he made it. I call upon Mr. Jerome 10
produce proof of this assertion or to apologize TO
me- as a gentleman should do, when he is guilty
of a SANDER Lei him do one Of three things:
Let him produce his proof let him admit that
he has none and apologize, or let him admit
himself to be falsifier and slanderer.
If l were a puppet, dancing to strings pulled
by a political boss in 1901, why did he reap
point me? And why did he publicly announce
in his canvass that / honest and capable
man. and that by my experience and ability
had earned the right to nomination for the
office of District Attorney? Why did he intrust
me with the complete charge and control of the
most important cases in his office, including
those in which political influence was most
likely TO be exerted? Why did he retain me as
an Assistant District Attorney until resigned
of my own volitOn? And why did he tell me
then he was sorry to have me go? Why did
he since 1 left office recommend me to i'm
portant clients in great transactions7 Have
changed in character or integrity by accepting
the nomination which he admits he would have
accepted If It had been offered him?
Now, just a few words as to Mr. Jerome's
claim for a monopoly of virtue and efficiency in
the administration of the affairs OF the District
Attorneys Office. Let us take, by way or Illus
tration, some of the more important classes OF
crime and contrast the result under his admin
istration with those under previous administra-
sny, In oTod Pan ApH hear IN
mind that Mr.. jerome has had vast advantages
over any previous District Attorney. He has
had a far larger staff Of assistants, and he has
had far more money to meet the expenses OF his
office.
On April 10, 1885, Charles A Buddenseck was
erecting building which fell account Of his
criminal negligence in its construction, killing
several persons. BuddensieCk was prosecuted
by De Lancey NicoH, a Democratic District At
torney. and convicted.
During the administration Of Mr.. Jerome the
Darlington disaster with its terrible loss Of life,
occurred 1 have heard of no convictions or eff
fective prosecution by Mr.. Jerome against any
one on account of that disaster.
In February, 1891. the first collision in the tun
mel of the New-York, New-Haven and Hartford
pal officers of that railroad were indicted by the
grand jury and prosecuted by Mr.. Ntcon. They
were tried before the late Judge Van Brunt, in
the old Court of Oyer and Terminer. and were
acquitted by the jury.
In similar disaster in the same tunnel during
Mr.. Jerome's administration there has been no
prosecution and not even any indictment of any
officer or director of the road. The engineer,
Wisker, was the only person indicted
In June, 1891 a steam tug coided with q
yacht in the Hudson River under circumstances
showing neglect on the part Of the pilot. The
pilot was tried and convicted under the admin
istration of Mr. Ncoll.
The Socum disaster, in which 1O50 persons
lost their lives. during Jerome's administration
was followed by no prosecution in the state
courts.
The boodler Aldermen were convicted by
Democratic District Attorneys and have heard
of similar nv i'm n
his reckless accusation against public officers
The directors and officers of a great trust |
were prosecuted by Judge Olcott, Republican
District Attorney. l have heard of no such !
prosecutions by Jerome
The prosecutions and convictions Of a number |
Of police officers for organized graft occurred
during the administration Of previous District !
I know of no successful prosecution /
Of that kind under Jerome, except those con- |
It seems that Mr.. Jerome has had, therefore. !
no monopoly of efficiency or success. His |
labor constantly, but the mice are |
small
Mr.. Jerome. at his headquarters at the Gilsey |
House, read Mr.. Osbornes remarks with much |
care. Then he said thoughtfuIly:
Is Osborne willing to say now that his ap- |
pointments will be made with the same prn- |
ciples in view that 1 maintained when 1 made /
my appointments? VIII he consider the politics
OF his assistants or will he rotR
In 1901 didn't think Osborne puppet, |
1ancing to strings pulled by any political boss,
u snOuldnI nave appointed him. 1t is true
hat L regretted his leaving my office, and that |
. nave recommended clients to him and have |
lone everything / could to help him in his !
private practice. When l said that he was a |
]uppet Of the political boss I meant that in no
way was he singled out by the will of the people
o be their candidate, but simply picked
'ut by the boss and the convention ordered to I
dominate him.
l have not the slightest doubt of Osborne's pc
uniary honesty. His difficulties will be the
difficulties every political official has who is
amply picked out by boss. You cannot in
honor have things handed to you on silver
a trar Nv. 49,.