The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-10
"Old WarhorSe'7 Takes
the Oath in Common
Pleas Court.
PRODUCES OWN OLD.
BIBLE FROM POCKET
Another Had Been Provided, but
Thumb-WOrn Volume Was
Utilized.
FRIENDS SEND GREAT
MASSES OF FLOWERS
Men of Affairs Wiring Hand of
Sommer's Successor, Overcome
by Touching Tribute.

Sheriff William Harrigan was sworn
into office at noon today by Judge
Thomas A, Davis, in the Court of Com
mon Pleas, with a cimple but impress
sive ceremony.
The "Old War Horse was over
whelmed by the congratulations of
prominent men who witnessed the cere-
courtroom to the Sheriff's office, which
was massed with floral offerings from
his friends.
One week from the day he was
elected sheriff over William Fellowes
Morgan, the Republican nominee, Mr..
Harrigan was escorted up the steps of
the Court House and into the room of
Judge Davis, where routine court cases
were being heard.
By appointment the judge ordered a
recess in the calendar, and prepared to
administer the oath of office to the
new sheriff.
1t had been planned. that the cere-
Emony would take place-in-the county
clerks office, but the crowd of political
and personal friends was too large for
that space and Judge Davis invited
Mr. Harrigan and his friends into his
court room. Judge Ten Eyck then
came into Judge Daviss room and sat
on the bench with him. When Mr..
Harrigan was before the bench and
ready to be sworn in he surprised
everyone by drawing from his coat
pocket a well -thumbed copy of the
Bible and saying:
1T want to take the oath on this"
Old Bible Used.
County Clerk Woolston had brought
along another Bible for the ceremony,
but he laid it aside and as he took
hold of one end of the old Bible, with
Mr. Harrigan holding the other end,
Judge Davis administered the oath.
The oath calls on the off1ceholder to
SUPPORT and fight for the constitution
of the United States, to serve the State
and it's statutes with fealty and to pre-
serve the, peace and enforce the laws
of the county.
Sheriff Harrigan had hardly replied
that he would solemnly do all that the
oath required. when former Sheriff
George Virtue rushed upon him and
shook his hand
Former Sheriff Sommer, who had
walked with the new sheriff into the
court room, had expected to have the
honor of the first handshake, but Mr..
Virtue beat him by a fraction of
second.
William J. Kearns, counsel for Mr.
Harrigan, then presented the sheriff S
commission, which arrived from Tren-
ton today, and 1t was properly indorsed
and approved by the judges and the
county clerk, and then William Harrf-
gan was truly sheriff, although he will
not technically take office until after
tomorrow midnight
While the hundreds of friends were
crowdng about Mr.. Harrigan he was
so affected that tears came into his
eyes.
Announces ReiIIy's Appointment.
Mr. Kearns handed out a slip of
paper saying that the new sheriff had
appointed Charles Reilly to be his
deputy and first assistant sheriff., the
new title bestowed on the first official
under the sheriff, and that temporarily
Charles Benedict and John F. Hyland
would remain as under -sheriffs.
After the ceremony was over scores
crowded about Sheriff Harrigan to
shake his hand and pledge him fealty.
Among them were many leading Essex
men. There was a sprinkling of women
in the audience, and they were just as
enthusiastic as the men. Not desiring
to too greatly interrupt the course of
Judge Ten Eycks justice, Mr.. Harrigan
led the crowd of friends from the court
room and &c the private office room of
the sheriff There, amid the floral and
other offerings of his friends. the sheriff
held happy reception.
One of the prominent offerings of
congratulation was a great and invit-
ing leather chair, the gift of Mrs. Ed
ward Maher, widow of the former police
commissioner, and his lifelong friend.
over it had been thrown a large cam
paign picture of the sheriff.
The room was hlled with palms,
ferns and growing chrysanthemum
plants. There was a ladder of roses
seven feet high and containing rungs
which described the sheriff"s progress
in the public service, the rungs being
labeled: Road Board" Assembly"
Alderman TAX Commissioner, "Po-
lice Commissioner" and Sheriff."
The campaign committee sent a
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