New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-14
R0FRAN0 SEEKS
DISTRICT CROWN
Without Fear of Assassina-
alton Will Fight Foley
for Control

Barring the removal by sudden death
of Mike Rofrano-and the man &C
quilted of murder on Sunday says he
has no fears Of assassination Big
Tom Foley is facing the fight OF
his life for control Of the Second As
sembly district. Rofrano's trial for
murder grew out Of his efforts to de-
throne the ex-Sheriff. Yesterday, back
in the district with the prestige Of his
court victory, his old lieutenants and
friends were lining up with him for
the resumption of the battle.
This time Rofrano believes he will
win. That others think so may be in
fcrreG from the fact that politicians
Of high and low degree, from judges Of
the higher courts and city officials, fol-
lowing the lead of Mayor Mitchell, sent
dozens of kilograms of congratulations
and well wishes for the future, arong
them Borough President NJ. VI. Marks,
Charles II. Hyde, Justice John j..
Freschi, Frank Oliver and ex-senator
James ]. Frawley. The lesser fry of
the district called on the former Off
cial.
Rofrano received them all with
jacket thrown over an undershirt in
the parlor Of the old fashioned house
at IL Oliver Street, where he has lived
for years, apologizing for his lack of
dress. The floor of the room was car
peted with the envelopes in which tele-
grams had come, while flowers from
Italian admirers filed every nook and
corner.
Shaking Blackens Hand
Rofrano also apologized for extend
ing his left hand to visitors, for the
right, blackened and bruised by the
hundreds who had shaken it on Sun
day, was out Of commission.
However" he laughed, 81 still have
the punch. Ny friends have stuck 10y
ally. | have more now than | ever
had. And ! am going TO stay right
here in this district. More than that
can't say, because I've got to pause
and sort of get my breath again. You
know it's more than year since | had
a chance TO attend TO any of my affairs.
I've got to take account of stock"
What preparations have you made
for trouble?" he was asked.
"None. There is not going to be any.
All the talk of blood feuds is in the
papers only | have not an enemy
the Gaimaris are not looking for me.
They were simply used by politicians
who wanted me out of the way. My
life is in no danger. | have more
friends to-day than | ever had, aid, |
repeat, not an enemy in the world who
would do me bodily harm.
Sent His Friends Home
"My friends in the district have been
pouring in here ever since | got oct.
This morning at $3.50 1 just simply
had to drive everybody out Of the
house and get to bed. | was pulled
out of il before you had your break
fast. have hardly had a chance to
talk with my dear old mother and the
babies.
"There is the one person this thing
has hit-my mother. The people fight
ing me nearly killed her. She lost
twenty-five pounds worrying. She is
not young woman any more, she is
sixty-six. and you know how mothers
are. She did not see me for more than
a year. | would not let her come TO
the Tombs. | had to let my wife come,
for there were papers | had TO sign
for her. The children never came.
For mothers sake we may go away for
a little while. But won't stay away
long. ! will be back. There is no rea,,
son why | shouldn't come, back and
every reason why | should
Rofrano's return and strength in the
district. was the subject of day long
discussion in those places in the dis
trict where politicians, big and little,
meet, and in no place of more earne st
discussion than in the rooms Of the
Downtown Democratic Club, the Foley
organization. There members, some
veterans of the fight of long ago when
Big Tom drove Judge Paddy Diver
out of control of the ward and politics,