New-York tribune., 1911-10-01

quick steps IN the hall were followed by the
appearance OF Judge Grosscup in the door
way of the sun parlor. He smiled broadly
and shook hands with hearty grasp
man of commanding presence. he wore
a gray Norfolk suit Of the style more often
seen among men in the early twenties
than among iurists OF the age of Mr.. Gross
cup, who was born on February IL. 1852. He
had on, besides. a white French shirt. tan
low quarter shoes, white silk socks and
dark silk necktie. in which A large pearl
solitaire was stuck. His attire became
him as il would few Of his age, for his
lineaments his buoyancy of step and spir-
its and heartiness Of manner make him ap-
pear much younger than he is.
Judge GrossCup ensconced himself on a
swinging seat in the sun parlor. reclining
against cretonne cushions, and with smile
began TO discuss the announcement OF his
forthcoming resignation and the subse-
quent report that his determination to
leave the bench had been influenced by the
discoveries" OF one Laurence Richie who
had "shadowed" him persistently for two
years.
You want me to tell you what all this
trouble is about" began the judge. Il
shall do so nearly as can. l can't tell
about all the people who have talked about
me. for l might never finish. All that
has come up does not worry me.
Many of my friends have upbraided me
for not answering charges and innuendoes
that have been directed against me-
understand that in many quarters my 81
lence has been construed as an indication
that there was something In all these sen-
sational attacks which l could not answer
10 my advantage This was far from the
truth. I always believed that TO reply to
those charges would be to dignity them.
WON'T RESIGN UNDER FIRE.
In the present instance-I refer to the
so-called report of my career CLEANED by
Mr. Richie-possibly by waving my policy
Of silence and taking notice publicly of his
statements l have dignifed and yitalized
his charges. l am doing this because after
serving nineteen years a federal judge
and having an absolutely clear conscience
/ cannot leave my post with cloud on my
integrity.
L do not look for any difficulty in dis
sipating any charges that Richie or any one
else may bring against me- They VIII burst
as readily as bubbles. They lack fact. SUD-
stance and sincerity. They are the same
old things that have been dug up and re-
hashed time and again. There is only one
purpose TO them, and that Is 10 further a
campaign OF scandalizing begun by those
who are personally opposed to me-
who are the leaders Of your opponents?
the Judge was asked.
In Chicago" he replied, 'the one most
active. it appears. or who comes out into
the open a. the most active at this time. IS
the attorney Charles II. Aldrich. This
lawyer has addressed letters attacking my
life generally 20 the state and Chicago bar
associations and TO individual attorneys IN
Chicago. His grievance does not grow out
IF any litigation; 1t is entirely personal
well known lawyers know what it is-asA
them
so il is with ali those who have taken
occasion TO try 20 blacken my name; gen
orally they were actuated by some personal
grievance or some il-advised motive Of
helping the public through criticising
iurist for something they knew nothing
about"
Have YOU ever attempted 10 stop the
attacks or paid anything to suppress criti-
cism Of your acts" Judge Grosscup was
asked
The Judge straightened up and glared into
the face Of his questoner. The muscles OF
his own face twitched. his eyes were fam
ing. he hit his lips. He sprang out Of the
swinging seat and brought one fist down
on a table with a bang that almost sent
a vase of flowers crashing to the floor.