New-York tribune., 1909-04-30
JURORS HONOR JEROME
PRAISED By THE BAR.
Says Newspaper Criticism Keeps
Young Men from Politics.

District Attorney Jerome received the 20 X OF
the grand jury panel of New York County al
dinner given in ehis honor by that body at the
Hotel Astor last night 1t was said to De the HiS1
time in the $50 years history of the sys'em thal
the grand jury had ever given a dinner tor any
The dinner had no political significance. it was
declared and according 10 w B. Van 1ngen an
artist, who acted toastmaster, the, dlners were
there Ito show by their presence tnat they po
lieved the District Attorney to be both honest anu
efficient" 1t was a reply to the many CrltclsIiS
that have been levelled at the District Attorney
some of which were embodied in charges sent 70
the Governor.
Speeches by Mr. Van Ingen. Cyrus L. sulzoerger
Martin W Littleton and Delaney Nicoll. once
District Attorney himself contained praise for the
work of Mr. Jerome, but If any one had expected
a mayoraIty boom TO be launched he must nave
been disappointed. A silver loving cup, foot anu
half high was presented 10 the guest Of the
evening.
As for Mr. Jerome he bemoaned the fact that
there was no longer future for young men in pub
lie life because of demagogic criticisms
we have come to reign of and for the news
papers, he said "and liberty will be tmperilled un
less their criticism be checked"
The speaker said he wanted to wage no war
with the newspapers, and gave them credit Tor 90
ing service in the interests or justice Dut De
clared they had to cater to the public clamor he
cited the Legislature example OF unjust crltl-
cisn1 and said there were men who dared not offer
honest criticisms against the Public Service DILL Tor
fear they would be classed with the Black Horse
Cavalry" He voiced his for the Governor but
said he believed the direct nomina tons Dill was d
gold brick" and that the members of the Assem-
bly, and Senate were elected to have opinions OF
their own and not TO follow the Governor savishly
1T is this constant driving of public men, ne
said that sends them into the Of the party
boss. because they find they cannot stand alone in
an honest conviction against the criticism Of the
demagogues.'
Ignorant criticism he continued. was not con-
fined the press. He cited the instance of
former Supreme Court justice, who at a meeting
of the state Bar Association had mveghed against
the wholesale granting of certificates OF reasonable
doubt. After saying that in the seven years OF MS
OF office only nine such certificates had been
granted of sixty-nne applications, the District
Attorney added:
Is YOU are going to have such ignorant criticism
of the law from judges what can you expect from
newspapers?
Il am impressed with the Importance of bringing
the right men into public Office" said. in con-
cusion. I'VE think that If we can get 4
new law we have achieved a reform; but nosstat-
ute no matter how good can be enforced unless
you have the right public officers
The District Attorney said that when he went
into office he believed the grand jury should be
abolished but had come TO the conviction that II
should be kept balance wheel and aroused
TO sense of its great duty. He said that ne would
always be reformer. but a wiser one than he mad
Street Railway and insurance Investigations by
saying il had source OF gratincatlon 10 hlNl
when the public clamoring about certain
things TO have grand jury TO whom he could ex-
plain his attitude.
"Did the grand iuries inquire into these things"
asked one of the diners
Yes" replied Mr.. Jerome, about one-thlrd OF
the grand ryrlen inquired about all these things
street railways insurance. the Police Department
and public departments OF various kinds.
Mr. Suizberger recounted story of a conversation
with Mr. Jerome in which the District Attorney
had said he could see violation of the law IN GER
tain evidence he had taken in the insurance cases.
and remarked that he supposed he would nave 10
rake the gaff' for his opinion but that any right
| minded man with backbone had TO be prepared 70
do that The speaker compared the criticisms OF
Mr. Jerome with those Ievelled at Grover Cleveland
and c1overnor Hughes There was just this sug-
gestion of a wish for future honors for the guest
| of the evening when Mr.. sulzberger said;
| Mr. Jerome we believed in you when We elected
| YOU the first time: believed in you when We re-
| elected you and VI believe in you now to-day.
SO saw we all of u.s. sang the diners in chorus.
Mr. Nicol said that if the modern idea of
| grand tury-that it should find indictment any
evidence or no evidence-was carried to its logical
| conclusion the time would when both the
| grand Jury and the District Attorney would be
| abolished
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