Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-06
M'CRATH THE MAN
Rising Attorney. Son of Edward 1 M'Grath For Asst Prosecutor.

At noon to-day Judge l.. F .Burpee Appointed Attorney John F .McGrnth
 assistant prosecuting attorney in the
 city court. thus ending speculation
 that has been verging on excitement
 In the legal fraternity the past few
 days.
 The bill creating this office was
 thought of, framed and engineered
 through the legislature by Representa-
 tive Abner F. Hayes, one of the most
 energetic and thoroughly representa-
 tive of all the men by whom the city
 has of late years been represented
 in the state legislature It passed
 the senate last week and yesterday
 morning was signed by Governor
 Woodruff It was believed the ap- pointment would be made yesterday
 afternoon and the general opinion was that Attorney McGrath would be the successful candidate for the office. There were two or three others in the race, but it became apparent soon after the bill passed the lower house : that Attorney McGrath had the pole The inf1uerae that was used in hls be- half was astonishing to the old timers. Almost all the lawyers in the city, ir- respective of party, were tout" for him and signed the petition for the ap- pointment He had the support of the leading republicans in the city and the state. and furthermore, of many prom inent business men. For young man practicing his profession only few years, the old timers wondered whence the source of his abounding influence and popularity. The repub- lican town committee did not hesitate to indorse his petition, and many of its members became lis individual supporters. But now that the excite. ment and speculation Is over and the sky is clear of conjecture and every body seems pleased with the appoint ment, the cause of the selection by Judge Burpee is apparent.
 Attorney McGrath, who is known as "Jack" by his fellow lawyers, has had more practice in the city court than any of the other candidates for the place. He is better acquainted with the clements of business that comes before the court than the others were. He has an excellent apprecia- ton of the fine points of law and q most discerning mind for one of his experience in the profession. His popularity with all the clements in the profession was one of the deciding | reasons for his appointment.
 The duties of the office are to as- sist the state both as prosecuting at torney whenever called upon and he | can also act as clerk. He has the | same authority as Prosecuting Atior ney c. F. Melgs and he takes office as soon as pleasing to himself, which may be tomorrow
 Attorney McGrath has received a most excellent education, being graduate of institutions of recognized learning. He was born in Waterbury about thirty years ago and received hls education in the public schools, graduating from Crosby high in 1866.
 Then he entered St Francis, Brook lyn, aD institution of the Christian Brothers, leaving there with due honor in 1890. A few years later he grad uHicu dl itoiy 1TOss anu tnt iuliUNlHS yenr he entered Yale law school There he distinguished himself as an athlete and especially as base ball player, being captain of the Yale nine and every game saw him on first base. In 1902 he graduated from Yale and the same year married Miss Anna l.. Merritt, of Jackson, Tenn. and he lm- mediately opened an office in Water bury and began the practice of his profession. In Yale he was classmate of Attorney E. B. Kelley and the late Arthur Henderson.
 Mir McGrath Is the son of Edward McGrath, one of the largest real es- tate owners in the city. He Is in New York to-day. and will assume the duties of his office tomorrow morning.