New-York tribune., 1908-09-20
4 SPANKING COURT.
Judge O'Connor, of Utica, Makes
Unusual Decisions.

While Utica N. Y. has the distinction of oeins
the home of the Republican nominee foF VICE
President. it is likewise appreciated as the resi-
deuce Of City Judge James K. OConnor, once
member of the Assembly as Republican.
Democratic municipal offcehoder- Judge OCon-
nor's manner of presiding at the city court mas
attracted to him considerable attention ana much
comment, favorable and otherwise, and some OF
his awards have made folks sit up and take notice
time and again. bit of court experience can best
illustrate this.
Not so long ago two Polish women we're arrested
for stealing coal from railroad in Water street
They were arraigned in due season and stood
trembling before his honor. Whats the charger?
asked Judge O'Connor. and the officer told him.
''Whv did you steal coal?' asked the court Of the
frightened and the interpreter repeated the
question. and got the reply that they had none and
had to steal IT TO keep their children from freezing
"It is crime to steal coal from rich corpora
ton when you cannot buy it and you will freeze IL
you do not get it." said the court You're dis
charged"
This decision caused no end of comment. and
Judge O'Connor was bitterly attacked both In
public and private.
Judge OConnor knows what II is 70 travel in less
comfort than he does now. He has crossed the
continent under various circumstances and shows
not little sympathy for the fellow who has TO re-
sort to ''sde-door Pullmans' The man who is ac-
cused of nothing vicious but is arrested for merely
beating his way, does not get hard sentence from
Judge O'Connor. When wayfarer is brought be-
fore him. he usually grasps him by the hands and
looks for calluses. The man with soft and dirty
hands is characterized too lazy 10 work, and
goes to Jail The man who has a callus at the
base of his ring finger showing that once he had
ring is put down a victim of hard luck anil not
infrequently gets quarter from the courts pocket
The tramp. plain tramp, is greeted somewhat cor
daily by the court:
Where did you sleep last night-Barn-y Hays,
and how was it? Had you Breakfast? No? You are
sentenced to stay in jail until 12-}0 o'clock" The
force of this remark is borne the prisoner when
he finds that dinner is served IN the cells at r.
An illustration of the logic of Judge C'ConnOr is
best shown in the case of man whU had looked
long and lovingly the lowing bowl. He fell
into deep pit dug by workmen while fixing the
bridge the Mohawk River. Several policemen
with ropes got the out and he arrested.
Drunk and disorderly the charge against him
when he stood before Judge O'Connor somewhat
sobered and chastened. You drunk last
night said the court. mo. sir, your honor,
wasn't drunk why, you must have been drunk
said the court IF you had not been, you would
have been killed by that fall "ShlIre, wazzent
drunk persisted the culprit. Then YOU
dead man. so what are you doing mere" declared
the judge and the man, taking the hint, walked
out somewhat amazed.
Judge O'ConnOr is Il great solver OF domestic
problems. When husbands and wives appear with
complaints he usually sends them out on parole
and has them make reports 10 him TO had boys
Judge O'Connor is a terror and the bad boy who
is bad because he desires to be tough gets no
sympathy from him. Like an irate parent he takes
them into his sanctum. and soon are heard sounds
court appears flushed ard triumphant, the
bench, enters in the ok ''WallUped and dis
charged and says:
We'll. who's ne4t?'