Thursday, Oct. 11, 1917
Police court magistrate James F. Byron was endorsed for reelection yesterday by Mohawk and Hudson Humane Society superintendent Nathaniel J. Walker. In response, Byron’s Republican rival pens a blistering attack on Walker today.
“In perusing your paper last evening I noticed a communication by Mr. Walker in relation to my candidacy for police justice of this city,” attorney John W. Roberts writes to The Record, “I am not only surprised that a communication of such a character could find its way in your columns, but equally so at your comments upon it.”
In a preface to Walker’s endorsement letter, one of our writers described the superintendent as “perhaps the one man in this vicinity best acquainted with police court proceedings in the cities of the state.” That endorsement of Walker was, for all intents and purposes, an endorsement of Byron. While Roberts wasn’t mentioned by name by Walker or The Record, the Republican took the publication of Walker’s letter as an insult.
“After having lived in Troy practically all my life – the way I have lived it – and after having practiced my profession in Troy for more than twenty years – the way I have practiced it – I am pained to find that there is any one connected with this city who is willing to say by imputation or otherwise that I am either disinclined to administer or incapable of administering justice to women or children,” Roberts writes for publication in tomorrow’s paper.
Roberts condemns the “bold arrogance” of Walker’s comments on his privileged working relationship with Byron. “I have been taught by the profession which honors me that a judicial officer should not ‘work with’ anybody,” the candidate explains, “and I give you my positive assurance that, if elected, I will not ‘work with’ Mr. Walker, nor anybody else, but that Mr. Walker will have the amplest opportunity to work before me.”
The Republican assures readers further that “Any person, rich or poor, high or low, good or bad, will be given full opportunity to be heard.”
Roberts makes a point of adding that his beef is with Walker, not Byron. “In justice to Mr. Byron, permit me to say that I have no knowledge of any connection on his part with the communication to which I refer,” he writes.
Byron is running for a fourth two-year term as magistrate. Over the past two years he’s had a contentious relationship with Rensselaer county sheriff William Powers, accusing the Republican of using crusades against gambling and prostitution to promote his political career on sometimes flimsy legal grounds.