The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-04
WHITMAN'S RISE IN OFFICE
RAPID SINCE START IN 1901
Is Noted as Vigorous Public
Prosecutor and for Skill
in Investigation.

Charles Seymour whitman, most OF
whose career has been devoted to warning
upon evildoers. got his nrst chance at the
political ladder when in 1909 he was sc-
lccted by Corporation Counsel Rives to
watch New York city bills at Albany. lie
did so we'll at II that Mayor Seth Low
made him his legal adviser. lie was As
sistant CORPORATION Counsel until 1904,
when Mayor Low appointed him a city
Magistrate. Since then his rise mas been
rapid.
As Magistrate Mr.. whitman attracted
vide attention through his person ally con-
Quoted excise raids and arrests, and his
efforts 20 break UP the business OF pro-
fessional bondsmen for prostitutes. lie
advocated a night court, and held sess .ons
In the West Forty-seventh street police
station to prove its feasibility. lie drew
IN the night court act. and had It passed.
After that he was elected president OF the
Board OF Magistrates
Gov. Hughes appointed him as Judge
in the Court OF General Sessions in 1906
and in the election following he was tho
candidate OF tho Republican party and
the independence League running far
ahead OF his ticket
The election to the office OF District
Attorney OF New York county In 1903
began that career as public prosecutor
which brought him local and national
fame. The prosecution ot ex-Police Lieut.
Charles Becker after the murder on July
Is, 1912. OF Herman Rosenthal. the gam
bier who had promised the District A'tor.
= ney revelations of stupcndous polio,
! graft. was reported and read throughout
not only this country but the civilized
world. Scarcely less important were tn,
subsequent resulting prosecutions Of cor.
/ rupt police officers which resulted In a
| wholesale cleansing OF the Police De
| partment. and Of which the effects are still
visible. The execution last April OF IN,
four gunner who killed Rosenthal be
/ fore which one Of them confessed is frcst
{ in the memory Of the public
! Mr., Whitman was mentioned severa
times as a possible fusion candidate FOR
! Mayor Of New York. Politically he has
/ been consistently a Republican, thourh h
| has drawn many independent; votes. H.
/ has always been strong on the East Sid"
! where WhNman meetings and speeche'
seldom have failed to draw crowds.
throughout his career In the crimina
courts Mr.. Whltmans energy and dogset
/ persistence IL prosecuting criminals have
stood FORTH conspicuous. and his skill anC
! force as crs-S-eNaminer lattcrly have
been marked Yet with Il all, as Magis
! trate and General Sessions Judge, he wal
courteous TO jury and lawyers
Born at Norwich, Conn. August %
1868, Mr. Whitman is now is year- old
lie received his early education in tn
public schools Of Norwich. and was grad
ueted from Amherst in 1890 lie studied
law at New York University, supporting
himself meanwhile by teaching At .\delph
Academy. Brooklyn, and at Pratt lnsu
tute. After receiving his Ii. y degre
in 1894 he began practising law "a heat
OF the firm Of Whitman, Dean Bower
Although active IN the city's political af
fairs he received no political appointment
until Mayor Low made him Assistant Cor
porat ton Counsel in 1901. which led to tn
Albany mission that was the openin
wedge
Mr.. Whitman was married 90 Miss ollv