James Thomas Foley
Encyclopedia
James Thomas Foley was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Troy, New York
, Foley graduated from Fordham College with an A.B.
in 1931 and Albany Law School
with an LL.B. in 1934. He was in private practice in Troy from 1935 to 1942. He was a Secretary to the Hon. William H. Murray
of the New York State Supreme Court from 1939 to 1942, and again from 1946 to 1949. He was an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II
, from 1942 to 1945.
. O'Connell was an avid fan of cockfighting, and raised chickens on his property throughout his lifetime for that purpose. Foley's Bar in Troy regularly held cockfights, and O'Connell and the elder Foley became friends as a result.
In 1948, President Harry Truman's prospects of re-election seemed dim. Although Truman ultimately won the election, he lost New York
to Thomas Dewey
, who had served as the State's governor. However, Truman defeated Dewey overwhelmingly in Albany and the surrounding area. Dewey had specifically referenced the O'Connell Machine as an example of corruption that he would fix as Governor. Dewey failed in every attempt to destroy the Machine, and incurred the wrath of voters sympathetic to O'Connell, especially politically-minded Irish Catholics. Truman, being fully aware of these facts, was extremely grateful that the O'Connell machine had delivered such a substantial margin of victory in Governor Dewey's own Capital, contacted O'Connell after his victory, and as an expression of gratitude, offered a favor to O'Connell. O'Connell suggested that Truman appoint James T. Foley, his friend's son, who had briefly served as an attorney and then served as an officer during World War II
as a Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
. Truman agreed, and on February 13, 1949, Foley was nominated by Truman to a seat on that court vacated by Edward S. Kampf
. Foley was confirmed by the United States Senate
on January 31, 1949, and received his commission on February 2, 1949. He served as chief judge from 1963 to 1980. He assumed senior status
on June 30, 1980 and served in that capacity until his death, in 1990, in Albany, New York
. Foley became one of the youngest-appointed, and longest serving Federal Judges in United States
history.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Troy, New York
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
, Foley graduated from Fordham College with an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1931 and Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
with an LL.B. in 1934. He was in private practice in Troy from 1935 to 1942. He was a Secretary to the Hon. William H. Murray
William H. Murray
William Henry Davis "Alfalfa Bill" Murray was an American teacher, lawyer, and politician who became active in Oklahoma before statehood as legal adviser to Governor Douglas H. Johnston of the Chickasaw Nation...
of the New York State Supreme Court from 1939 to 1942, and again from 1946 to 1949. He was an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1942 to 1945.
Nomination
Judge Foley's father was a good friend of Albany Political Boss Dan O'ConnellDaniel P. O'Connell
Daniel Patrick O'Connell was the leader of the Democratic Party political machine in Albany County, New York, from about 1919 until his death....
. O'Connell was an avid fan of cockfighting, and raised chickens on his property throughout his lifetime for that purpose. Foley's Bar in Troy regularly held cockfights, and O'Connell and the elder Foley became friends as a result.
In 1948, President Harry Truman's prospects of re-election seemed dim. Although Truman ultimately won the election, he lost New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Thomas Dewey
Thomas Dewey
Thomas Edmund Dewey was the 47th Governor of New York . In 1944 and 1948, he was the Republican candidate for President, but lost both times. He led the liberal faction of the Republican Party, in which he fought conservative Ohio Senator Robert A. Taft...
, who had served as the State's governor. However, Truman defeated Dewey overwhelmingly in Albany and the surrounding area. Dewey had specifically referenced the O'Connell Machine as an example of corruption that he would fix as Governor. Dewey failed in every attempt to destroy the Machine, and incurred the wrath of voters sympathetic to O'Connell, especially politically-minded Irish Catholics. Truman, being fully aware of these facts, was extremely grateful that the O'Connell machine had delivered such a substantial margin of victory in Governor Dewey's own Capital, contacted O'Connell after his victory, and as an expression of gratitude, offered a favor to O'Connell. O'Connell suggested that Truman appoint James T. Foley, his friend's son, who had briefly served as an attorney and then served as an officer during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
The United States District Court for the Northern District of New York serves one of the 94 judicial districts in the United States and one of four in the state of New York. The U.S. Attorney for the district is Richard S. Hartunian...
. Truman agreed, and on February 13, 1949, Foley was nominated by Truman to a seat on that court vacated by Edward S. Kampf
Edward S. Kampf
Edward S. Kampf was a federal judge for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. Judge Kampf graduated from Albany Law School with an LL.B. in 1924. He was nominated to the court by President Harry S Truman on January 17, 1946, to a seat vacated by Frederick H...
. Foley was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on January 31, 1949, and received his commission on February 2, 1949. He served as chief judge from 1963 to 1980. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on June 30, 1980 and served in that capacity until his death, in 1990, in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. Foley became one of the youngest-appointed, and longest serving Federal Judges in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
history.