New-York tribune., 1911-03-05
mot SUICIDE, BUT SENATOR
Accused New York Attorney
Started New Life, 1t Is Said.
CHARGES MADE IN MICHIGAN
Governor Osborn Attacks State
Senator James M. Murtha,
Who Opposes Him.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune. J

Lansing. Mich. March An cam
paign against members Of the ste Leg
islature. who have blocked his efforts
tn clean out alleged undesirable Office
holders. Governor Chase S. Osborn made
public to-day what ne says was the pri-
vate life Of James NJ. Murtha. Demo
cratic Senator from Detroit and minor
it, leader in the uppcr house. while he
was d Tammany lieutenant and q prac-
tising attorney in New York city. Gov
ornor Osborn charges that Murtha de-
frauded a client out Of some $1,000 in
New York and intimated that grand
Jury might be called TO determine how
Murtha obtained the credentials to gain
admission to practice before the Su-
preme Court Of this state. Murtha is
sai 20 have left New York. leaving the
impression that he had committed sui
eide.
The quarrel between Governor Osborn
and Senator Murtha started a the he
ginning Of the session. when the Senator
voted with majority Of the stand pat
Republicans 20 confirm the recess APP
pointments of Ex-Governor Wainer At
that time Murtha. in q speech delivered
from the floor OF the Senate, referred To
the chief executive as political four
flusher' and charged that his 'so-caled
housecleaning methods amounted To
nothing more than "a cheap way 10
secure advertising" At that time Gov
ernor Osborn is said TO nave made the
remark that he would show Up all the
men who stood i'm the way of good gov
ernmont and honest officials in this state.
1t was called 10 his attention that the
Detroit Police Department had under
surveillance certain Detroit legislator.
and the Governor soon discovered. ii is
said. that Slurtha was the man in ques-
ton. Immediately after learning the
facts i'm the case he wrote To Mayor
Gaynor Of New York. and shortly after
ward made him q personal visit. Police
Commissioner Cropscy of that city fur
nished the Governor with a report pur-
porting 10 show the record OF a man
named Muriha while he was practising
attorney in that city. aid produced evil
dtnce 10 show that warrant had been
issued for his arrest. but that it was
never served. as it was said Murtha was
supposed 10 have committed suicide.
His clothing was round on the banks
Of the North River. t; was said. and the
New York newspapers carried stories to
the effect that he Ead taken his own lie.
This vas in 1905. From the report Of
Commissioner Ccopsey il is shown that
Murtha had been suspended from prac-
ticc for q period of three years
Dispatches sent out from Detroit
where Murtha is q patient in d hospital.
quote him as admitting the entire story
as given out by the Gol ernor. but even
frcm lis sick he'd he throws down the
gauntlet anG declares tiiat Governor Os-
born or no one Use in the state snail
compel Linn to resign MS seat in tn
Senate.
Among those who recommC Eded Muir
TIA TO practise in ttis state was Amct
+. jerks. Judge Of the Appellate Di-
vision or the New YORK courts As tniS
is the second time tlat charges have
been preferred ganst member Of the
senate since the orening % the present
Legislature. tn affair is creating mucl
comment in this state
James A. MurIha. jr.. a lawyer, suddenly
fed from Brooklyn In lg0i. afte- q demand
had been made on him to ray Ms. Julia
4. O'Donnell s2.2-0 which he he'd received
In settlement Tor tie dea,h % her husbanG
Nurtha Was son OF James :. Murtha.
former Deputy Commissioner - City
Work. lie lad been active in clty politics
fer several years. aud once ran tor Col-
grces. being defeated by small majority.
At iue time OF his disappearance. It was
said that MUrtha had been somewhat
er,atic IN his a,tiJls. This. (, was said.
dated back to 1902. when his marriage en-
gagcmcnt 10 the daughter of leading
D.mo,ratio politician was brokel OH
In 1905 Norman 5. DikC. counsel for the
Erook,yn Bar Association. moved for the
dsbarmont of Mutthe before the justices
or Inc Appellate Division. Decision was re-
scrvod For many yeas Mrrtl,a made his
home with his parent. Al No. ls@ Congress
49,. Hr,nl,lNu