Eugene A. Philbin

Eugene Ambrose Philbin (July 24, 1857 – March 14, 1920) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was New York County District Attorney from 1900 to 1901 and later served as a justice on the New York Supreme Court.

Early life and education

Eugene A. Philbin was born in New York City on July 24, 1857, the son of Stephen Philbin and Eliza (McGoldrick) Philbin. His parents were Irish immigrants, reflecting the large influx of Irish Catholics to New York City in the mid-19th century.
He attended Xavier High School, a Jesuit institution in Manhattan, and graduated from Seton Hall College in New Jersey. In 1883, he entered Columbia Law School, graduating in 1885 and being admitted to the New York bar in 1886.

Career

Early legal career

After graduating from law school, Philbin began practicing with the firm of Ogden & Beekman. In 1894, he became the senior member of the law firm Philbin, Beekman & Menken.

Political career

Philbin's political career began in August 1899 when Governor Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the New York State Board of Charities to fill a vacancy.
In December 1900, Governor Roosevelt appointed Philbin as New York County District Attorney to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Asa Bird Gardiner. Philbin's appointment came amidst a reform movement aimed at rooting out corruption in New York City government and breaking the power of Tammany Hall. He served as District Attorney until the end of 1901.
During his tenure as District Attorney, Philbin worked to reform the office and investigate corruption. In October 1901, he issued a groundbreaking report estimating that police graft in the city amounted to about $1 million annually.

Philbin's political involvement continued after his term as District Attorney. In 1904, he became a member of the New York State Board of Regents, serving until 1913.

In October 1905, Philbin played a prominent role in the Democratic city convention, where he made the nominating speech for Mayor George B. McClellan Jr.'s re-election.

The Philbin Committee and Central Park

In the early 20th century, New York's Central Park faced significant threats from commercial and institutional interests seeking to develop sections of the park for private use. Eugene A. Philbin, as president of the Parks and Playgrounds Association of New York City, led efforts to preserve the park’s public status, emphasizing its importance to New Yorkers—particularly for the working class, children, and the general public. Under Philbin's leadership, the association opposed projects that would commercialize parkland or alter its natural landscape, positioning Central Park as an essential public resource.

The Philbin Committee, formed in response to these concerns, took up the task of investigating and countering attempts to encroach on the park’s grounds. This committee, led by Philbin, became a prominent force in New York’s Progressive Era battle to protect public resources from private encroachment and preserve them for communal benefit.
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Key Battles to Preserve Central Park

The committee faced notable challenges, including high-profile confrontations over proposals by the National Academy of Design and the industrialist Henry Clay Frick. The Academy sought to construct a new building on the historic Arsenal site within Central Park, a move that Philbin’s committee opposed on the grounds that public parkland should not be transferred to private entities, even for cultural purposes. Public opinion grew increasingly vocal, and Philbin successfully garnered support from prominent citizens, reform organizations, and newspapers in opposition to the Academy's plans.'

Another significant campaign centered around Frick’s proposal to establish the Lenox Library within park boundaries. Frick argued that the library would serve a public cultural purpose, but Philbin and his allies countered that Central Park should remain an open, accessible space for all New Yorkers, particularly families who could not afford country retreats. The Philbin Committee maintained that such private projects, regardless of their merit, had no place within the city’s limited green spaces.

Philbin’s Vision for Public Parks

Philbin’s commitment to protecting Central Park stemmed from his belief that parks were essential to the mental and physical health of city residents. He argued that green spaces provided an essential escape from urban congestion, particularly benefiting the working class. In a 1909 address to the Parks and Playgrounds Association, Philbin described Central Park as "a sacred trust," underscoring his conviction that it should be preserved exclusively for recreational and aesthetic purposes.
Through Philbin’s leadership, the committee successfully blocked various development proposals and reinforced the principle that Central Park should remain an inviolate public space. His legacy contributed to establishing long-lasting policies for the preservation of urban green spaces in New York City.

Judicial career

Philbin's transition to the judiciary came in April 1913 when Governor William Sulzer appointed him to the New York Supreme Court (1st D.) to fill a vacancy.
In November 1913, Philbin was elected to a full 14-year term on the Supreme Court.
Philbin's judicial career reached its pinnacle in May 1919 when Governor Alfred E. Smith designated him to serve on the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Department.

Civic and charitable activities

Philbin served as president of the Parks and Playground Association of New York City until 1913, advocating for the preservation of public parks and opposing efforts to alter Central Park.
From 1904 to 1919, Philbin was an active and influential member of the Marquette League, a New York City-based organization that raised funds for Catholic missions among Native Americans in western states.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Philbin to a citizens' group investigating conditions at Ellis Island.

Personal life

On June 28, 1887, Philbin married Jessie Holliday, and they had five children together, including:

Jesse Holliday Philbin (d. 1978)

A devout Catholic, Philbin was active in church affairs. In 1908, Pope Pius X made him a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in recognition of his service.
Philbin died of pneumonia at his home at 63 West 52nd Street in Manhattan on March 14, 1920, while still serving on the Appellate Division. His funeral was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral and was attended by many prominent legal and political figures.

Descendants

Through his son Jesse, he was the grandfather of Jessie Holladay Philbin, who married Ledyard Blair Clark (1917–2000), the son of Judge William Clark, in 1941.

Legacy

Philbin was remembered as a reform-minded lawyer and judge who worked to improve New York City government and the state's legal system. The American Irish Historical Society praised him, stating he had "by his opinions and work as a judge, erected a monument to himself in the jurisprudence of this State more enduring than bronze."
His efforts to combat police corruption as District Attorney, his advocacy for public parks, and his service on the bench left a lasting impact on New York City and State.

Further reading

* "Academy Bill Doomed: Buried in Committee." *New York Tribune*, April 11, 1909, p. 6.

* "Call Out to Oust Park Department: With Frick Gift Plan Beaten, the Fight Continues." *New York Times*, June 21, 1912, p. 24.

* "Calls on the State to Safeguard Park: Playgrounds Counsel Demands." *New York Times*, March 16, 1924, p. E2.

* "Deplores Our Lack of Playgrounds: Eugene A. Philbin Stresses the Need for More Open Spaces for Children." *New York Times*, May 7, 1909, p. 9.

* "Every Foot of Park Open Space Needed: And the Lenox Library Building Should Not Encroach on Central Park." *New York Times*, June 16, 1912, p. 8.

* "Fear 'Snap' Action by Park Invaders: Citizens' Committee to Organize to Counter Sudden Legislative Moves." *New York Times*, April 4, 1909, p. 20.

* "In Park Fight to Stay: Plan to Make Philbin Committee Permanent Organization." *New York Tribune*, April 12, 1909, p. 2.

* "Mass Meeting Call to Defend the Park: City's Attitude Toward Proposed Arsenal Use Criticized." *New York Times*, June 14, 1912, p. 10.

* "May Fight Use of Arsenal: Park and Playground Advocates Prepare to Oppose Repurposing." *New York Times*, April 26, 1919, p. 12.

* "More Join Park Fight: Unite Against Academy of Design Plan Opposition." *New York Tribune*, April 5, 1909, p. 1.

* "Name Park Defenders: The Philbin Committee." *New York Tribune*, April 10, 1909, p. 4.

* "Oppose Park Invasion: Many Join Committee to Strengthen Sentiment Against Academy of Design’s Plan." *New York Tribune*, April 3, 1909, p. 4.

Sources

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Philbin, Eugene Ambrose
1857 births
1920 deaths
Seton Hall University alumni
Columbia Law School alumni
New York County district attorneys
Knights of St. Gregory the Great
New York Supreme Court justices
Xavier High School (New York City) alumni
Contributors to the Catholic Encyclopedia
Deaths from pneumonia in New York City
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department justices