[1] 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.

[3] 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[1] 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.

"[23] 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.