New-York tribune., 1911-04-02
CONGRATULATE O'GORMAN
Sheehan and Shepard Send
Messages to New Senator.
MURPHY OFF ON VACATION
Lawyers Feel Loss Of Jurlst,
Who Was Rarely Reversed and
Was Noted for Fairness.

Was Noted for Fairness.
Having accomplished his task Ut eecting
a United States Senator acceptable TO ram
many Hall. Charles F. Murphy. who once
again claims the title OF state leader OF
the Democratic organization. went 70 Hot
Springs. Va. early last evening. He may
extend his long deferred vacation of two
weeks indefinitely.
Mr.. Murphy did li.tle except smile all day
yesterday. As for discussing his victory. he
asserted that there was nothing more TO lie
said. He did have telephone converse
ton with SenatCr-elect James \. OGorman.
hut as TO what went over the wire neither
party had a thing TO say.
At Hot Springs Mr.. Murphy will probably
have a chance 10 explain more at length to
William F. Sheehan, who preceded him,
why the Tammany boss deserted Mr.
Sheehan. who was for ten weeks the 'sa-
cred embodiment" of caucus rule.
Justice OGorman received hundreds of
mes sases at his home. where he stayed
until late in, the afternoon. when he went
70 pack up his things in the County Court
chambers There was nothing. however,
which interested him so much as his GER
tifcate of election TO the United States
Senate. which was delivered by special
messenger from the Office OF the Secretary
OF state.
In point Of interest this message from Mr..
sheehan, from his seclusion at Hot Springs,
probably ranked next: Il congratulate you
and the party upon your election as United
States Senator The state and nation have
secured the services OF an honorable and
conscientious man and an able representa-
tive"
Another signed Faithfully yours, Ed
ward VI. Shepard" read: You have my
hearty iatulatons upon your choice to
the sonatorship. il is a place Of really
noble opportunity, OF which, with your
faculties Of systematic energy, wisdom and
devotion 10 duty. I rejoice to predict that
you will make ample use in the interest of
the state and the nation and of a Demo
cratic party succeeding because it deserves
to succeed
Mayor Gsynor's Congratulations.
From St James Mayor Gaynor sent this:
AL Of the delay and strife were worth the
while. since they evolved you"
Judge Alton b. Parker telegraphed from
Esopus: Your Judicial career gives ample
security for distinguished public service in
the Senate. Accept please my congratula-
tions."
Vicar General J.. O'Donovan. of Balti-
more, sent the following: Cardinal Glib
bons congratulates you most heartily upon
your selection for the Senate"
Governor Woodrow Wilson's message
read: My heartiest congratulations and
warmest good wishes"
Ex-senator Chauncey NJ. Depew. whose
place Judge O'Gorman is to take. did not
neglect to send his good wishes.
Martin ". Litueton. from Washington,
sent this: u sincerely congratulate the
country upon the good fortune TO have you
Senator. ] rejoice in the great distinction
TO yourself"
Among others who sent messages we're
Judge Irving o. Vann. Of the Court of APP
peals; William E. Hornblower and Justices
y. p. Rich and Arthur T.. Sutherland.
Judge O'Gornan said he expected TO get
away for Washington this afternoon or to-
morrow morning at the latest He is pre-
pairing for n long absence from home. but
has not decided whether he will take his
family 10 Washington before the opening
of the regular session or not
Whatever advantage the State OF New
York may gain from the presence Of JUS
iice James A. OGorman in the United
States Senate will be 10 the loss of the ST.
preme Court bench Of the county of New
York and many members Of the lar. Prac-
tcaly all the lawyers who practise IN tie
Supreme Court regret his exchange of tho
judicial gown for the senatorial toGa for
he was regarded as one o. the ablest JUS
tices. although he has been less known 10
the public than many Of his colleagues;
for once having abandoned the active side
Of politics. ne devoted nearly all Of his time
10 hts Office and his family
As a judicial Officer.
Perhaps his religious scruples had some
thing to do with it, but anyway Justice
O'Gorman. in the eleven years he served of
bis fourteenyear term on the Supreme
Court bench, always abhorred divorce
cases ard he did not often have 10 preside
over this common form Of litigation. His
forte was the weightier matters Of the law.
matters affecting large hnancial interests
nd questions Of taxa don. But this devo-
ton 70 intricacies OF the law did not tend
g. diminish the proverbial Irish sense Of
humor that is developed in him 10 a great
Cegree. However he never permitted
lawyer before him 10 get away from the
issues OF the case az bar, and MS reversal
Of his own judgments was as infrequent as
we're the reversals Of his decisions by high
er courts. To many lawyers Justice OGor-
man on the bench seemed severe man. for
he did not tolerate argument over his rul-
ing on case on trial. When counsel tried
tc argue the point with hum he would say.
The court has ruled; you can take an ey-
oepticn Proceed" And invariably the
lawyer so addressed would proceed. Withal.
the new Senator is a mild-mauncred man.
though stern in appearance and dignfed In
bearing. He is nCt cemonstratiye, but he
has d faculty FOR making friends.
His judicial ability and integrity have
reyer been questioned He was on tho
fench what might lie called tho judicial
blue peaciller." for he had n faculty OF
quickly eliminating tho irrelevant material
and dispcsing OF cases. and that, too. made
him popular with the members of the bar.
HIS keen insight contributed in no small
decree TO his success on the bench
Senator O'Gornan Will be nfty-one years
old next month. His brown hair is tinged
with gray. and lie has "A short cropped
beard. lie is Of medium height and in
clined 10 stoutness He il an enthusiast
on outdoor exercise and IS fond Of horse
back riding golf and walking
The judicial experience of Justice O'Gor-
man began when he was thrty-nine years
old, being elected on the Tammany ticket
reputation for judicial temperament was
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