Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-06-08
VOLUME Lxxxu.-NO. 1875.
MONDAY EVENING, JUNE s, 1914.
THE LATE NnoHAEL 7. BARRETT.

There we're few men, if indeed there was single
man. in Newark within the confines of Essex county
contemporaneous with Michael T Barrett, who passed
away at his summer home at Elberon last night, who
could Justly claim the popularity and friendships that
surrounded his life
As member of the bar he was esteemed by his
fellow lawyers and judges alike for his open, manly
ways and frankness of expression, always convincing
and thoroughly Characteristic
refreshing candor marked his manner of pre-
senting a case in court There nothing left for
the Imagination in his summing up, and his appeals
to jury were couched in such plain language every
essential point being tersey applied to the situa-
ton involved as to almost invariably leave an impress
sion favorable to his client
And loyalty to a client was of Mr.. Barretts
strongest factors chain of rugged characteristics
He made his clients interests his own and there was
no tagging or tagging his part until the matter at
issue was disposed Of and court records show that II
was generally settled in manner satisfactory to Mr.
Barretts side of the controversy.
In politics Mr.. Barrett played a leadirg part, and
his successes as member OF Assembly and later IS
State Senator were as pronounced his triumphs 81
the bar.
The open and democratic disposition that won rs-
spect and friends as youth and as youns lawyer
tended but 10 broaden when he entered the political
arena and added his popularity and attracted the
voters 10 his cause.
So admirably did he acaut himself IS member
OF the lower house thzt he selected by the Demo
cratic party leaders % make the fight for Senator
diHcult undertaking as Essex county vas then over
wheln,insly Republican. and the Republican leaders
never made ths mistake . nominating any but their
strongzss nsn for ths STATE ssnstorship.
Bar tie intrepid ard brilliant Barrett reoked uot
Of odds He entered he campaign with enthusiasm
ard hope and conducted the fight in such dashing
s1s5e tAzz Il ~ = handsome majority his victory
b-lzgzg . hln he prestige = being the 6-st Demo
srzzse sszz-cr elected Essex county within period
c. thir1y consecutive years
Tarse years izts- = vent down TO defeat in he
Republican landslide fhz- swept every vestigs Of
Democracy from New Jerseys political map.
Elevation high once. advancement n his chosen
profession acquisition Of wealth and attainment Of
social position never seemed 10 change Mr. Barretts
nature. His demeanor was ever the same He would
greeting He woula stop and chat with the working
man on all occasions and would joke with him for
minutes at time These incidents appeared TO afford
him more genuine pleasure than did meetings with
those in the upper walks of life. Mr.. Barrett never
forgot face. and old-timers, those whom
he knew in his boyhood always welcome visitors
to his law Offices.
To these oId-timers. and to others who might come
to him in time of trouble and distress, he proved a
friend in need His services at their disposal
and he worked assiduousy in their behalf they
his best paying clients.
In all truth this successful lawyer was devoted
friend those in trouble and this fact was known
only to the most concerned. Time and again the