The Detroit times., 1911-03-07
MUST COMBAT
LIQUOR INTERESTS
Gov Osborn, Convinced They Are
Trying To influence Legislature,
Hits at Murtha.

Osborn is convinced that the liquor
interests are the most formidable
enemy he must contend with during
hie stay In Office. lie refuses TO dis
cuss the matter himself. but one OF
his close personal friends declares
the governor feels that the liquor men
are endeavoring TO exert an influence
on the legislature fully as powerful as
that which has come from any other
political machine. This conviction led
him TO strike back at Senator James
A. Murtha, Jr., OF Detroit, whom, he
has been informed, is an attorney for
the liquor interests in the state.
Gov. Osborn, convinced that Sena-
tor Murthas opposition was due part
| ly, II not wholly, to his connection
with the liquor interests, determined
to look up his record in New York. In
the colloQuy that followed the defeat
OF Gov Osborn's appointments by leg.
islators, led by Senator Murtha. hot
words were exchanged between the
governor and Murtha. The governor
considered that subtle influences were
at work to block the reform program
which he had pledged TO the people
on the stump, and also that Murtha
had attacked his integrity. He then
requested Mayor Gaynor, OF New
York, to examine the records and TO
report on the standing of Murtha
when the latter left New York for
Detroit
The report by Police Commissioners
Cropsey disclosed the fact that Muir
tina had been suspended from the bar
OF Brooklyn for three years for NAL
practice. IL says:
1T appears that a man named
O'Donpell, of No. 2639 Bergen-st..
Brooklyn. was run over by a wagon
belonging to Kolner Bros. address
Eot shown and received injuries from
which he died. His wife being ap-
pointed administratrix of the estate.
upon solicitation OF a clerk In James
A. Murtha's Office, she employed Mr..
Murtha, Jr.. to sue for damages for
the husbands death. This was about
September, 1901, when a settlement
was agreed upon by the casualty com
pany from which Kolner Bros. car
ried accident and insurance policies.
and Counselor Murtha informed Mrs.
O'DonEell that the amount was $4,000.
to which Mrs. ODonnell agreed. The
actual amount paid, however. was
S2.250.
Mrs. O'Donnell then called upon
Murtha about 10 times for the money.
but could not obtain IL. She was,
however, offered $500 and then again
$500 as a part payment Murtha's
purpose seemed to be to have her ac-
cept some part OF the amount which
she refused To accept, demanding all
or none.
Upon his failure to make an ac-
counting, an action was begun by
Norman 8. Dixie on behalf Of the bar
association (this July %. 1903), and
about July 8. 1904, the case was tried.
which trial extended until December.
1904. Norman 8. Dixie being counsel
for the Bar association. and Herbert
Eetcham was appointed as referee.
Michael III. Hirschberg acting as pre-
siding Judge with John F. Reilly, q
stenographer: the final order was
given March "a, 1906. I'm which At
torney James A. Murtha, Jr. No. 1872
Congress-st east. was declared guilty
Of deceit and malpractice and sus-
pended as stated"
Senator Murtha, who has been q
patient at Grace hospital, Detroit.
says he has never attempted to deny
that he had been suspended; that an
unfortunate marriage was at the bot
tom or the whole affair, and that he
came to Michigan to start life anew.
When he came to this state, he says,
he filed letters from the presiding
Judge and other members Of the court
which suspended him, and they are
on file at Lansing.
Gov. Osborn says he IL determined
to night for the reforms which he
pledged during his campaign, and for
which he has stood for so long, and
II any members Of the legislature are
working for any special or privileged
iEtc: csts he will wage war Ipor .he;n
tie same as he has upon Senator