New-York tribune., 1911-04-02

are hampered In the performance OF
their duties and in the administration
Of justice.
Judge Corrigan. after graduating from
the Law School OF Columbia, where he
was the first editor and founder OF Tne
Columbia Law Review" was for time
connected with the Office of Guthrie,
Cravath & Henderson. his principal work
with them being in connection with the
United States Steel cases. He left them.
after eighteen months. to take the place
Of managing clerk for Henry Wallman.
with double the salary, and three months
later received an appointment as Deputy
Assistant on the STAFF OF District At
torney William Travers Jerome.
Archbishop Farley's Endorsement OF
Joe" Corrigan's elevation to the bench
was only natural. for he had known him
since he was a boy in knickerbockcrs, 40
the favorite nephew Of the late Arch
bishop Corrigan-that is to say. Of his
oldest friend and immediate predecessor
in the Office of metropolitan OF the great
Roman Catholic archdiocese OF New
York.
Mayor Gaynor's reference to the recent
prolonged furlough Of Judge Corrigan I'm
Florida last winter was particularly un-
kind, in view OF the cause Of his soJourn
in the South on his fathers plantation at
st. Leo 1t has already been explained
| in the newspapers that the Judge was
legally entitled TO the holiday through
having remained in town throughout last
summer. taking the place Of his COL
! leagues on the bench. and relieving
them. one after another. Of their duties
/ during the heated spell. BUT What has
not been stated is the fact that II Mag
! istrate Corrigan went To his father in
! Florida II was because Of the shock and
! i'll health caused by the death Of his ONLY
boy, to whom he was passionately de-
voted and to whom he had given the
nickname of Foley. owing TO a resem-
blance of the child. when a pudgy, fat.
sunny tempered infant. 10 the former
Sheriff Thomas Foley. Judge Corrigan
and his wife were so completely broken
by their bereavement that a change OF
air and scene became imperative, in the
opinion of their physicians and friends.
| That was the real cause of the judges
perfectly legitimate leave of absence in
! Florida on his fathers estate.
It would be mistake TO believe thar
Judge Ccrrigan does not enjoy the good
will and regard of his fellow magistrates
on the bench. or 70 imagine that the
statement which thirteen of them issued.
disassociating themselves from respon-
sbility for his recent letter to the press
on the subject of crime in New York,
indicated any animosity toward him.
Their statement was careful not to deny
the assertions contained in his letter. but
merely questioned the propriety of his
attack upon Mayor Gaynor. In this con-
nection it must be pointed out that some
Of the magistrates are looking for a re-
appointment within the next two years
by the Mayor. on the expiration OF their
present terms. Another magistrate occu-
pics his seat on the bench by species
of temporary tenure, entirely at the
! pleasure of the Mayer. while the latter.
| by mere stroke OF the pen, that is TO
say, by giving his approval To the So
called ripper bill. transforming their
offices from appointive into elective
offices. could virtually legslate them all
out of existence. So that they are
all obliged to consider the views ~ the
Mayor.
! should like 10 add one Word With re-
! a. ~
the police OF this great city. His asso-
citation with them began with his hand
| ling of the police matters when Assist
ant District ATTORNEY. and there are few
magistrates or judges who enjoy
greater degree of confidence on the part
of the rank and file of the force than this
particular magistrate. II is all very
we'll for the grand jury To accord hear
ings to Commissioner Cropsey, who
knows less about police conditions and
less about the city of New York than
any mere ,atrolman who has been for
two years a member OF the finest. serv-
/ ing on the East Side. in aelrs Kitchen
OF the Tenderloin. II the grand jury IN
stead OF consulting Commissioners Crop
sey. who knows nothing. were to sum-
mon before them some of the rank and
file of the force. some officers. honest OF
purpose and clean lived. as 80 many OF
them are. who could be assured that II
they explained things as they really are
their confidence would not be betrayed
and they would not be subjected 10 subse-
cuapt narsecution as enuealerS by other
commissioners and politicians for the re-
mainder Of their lives. some useful in
| formation, such as that which Judge
Corrigan is able 10 obtain from the po-
lice. might be placed at the disposal OF
the grand jury. Otherwise its investi-
cations will be as fruitless as that of
others which have preceded il. even de-
spite the assistance and guidance OF two
such able jurists as District Attorney
/ Charles Whitman and his special assist
ant, George Gordon Battle.
Judge Corrigan. IL may be said in con-
clusion. was the principal heir Of the by
no means large property left by his
uncle, the late Archbishop Corrigsn. He
! Is good horseman, Is an adept In the
art Of handling a sailboat of the rock
bound coast OF Maine. has occasionally
been seen on a racecourse. possibly for
the mere purpose Of acquiring informa-
tion for subsequent use In his admins
tration OF the law. Is devoted to the
manly art of self-defence. excels In the
difficult feat OF shooting Florida alli-