New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-04
TRIBUTES TO THE LATE Mr.. PHELPS.

IHlBC les IL lIE BAlI Auus lAASNA -
ADJOURNMENT OF ALL THE COURTS AS MARK OF
REsPEcT-DANIEL @. ROLLINS APPOINTED TO
PERFORM THE DUTIES OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Part | of the Court of General Sessions was
crowded Yesterday morning In anticipation OF
action being taken in reference to the death OF DIS
trict Atterney Phelps Judges GildersleeVe ana
Cowinc and Recorder Smvth were on the bench. and
there was large attendance of the legal profession
Immediately after the opening of the Court, Assist
ant District Attorney Rollins said: - 1t was put
Yesterday that many who are here assem-
bled gathered about the remains OF nm
who had been for eight consecutive years the prose
we should stay for day at least the pressure OF
business against the doors OF this courtroom, IN
respect to the memory of the District Attorney VINO
has died since the last ADJOURNMENT OF TINS CouiIa
1t surely seems TO me so and suppose IL IS nttlns
that some one Of the gentlemen who have Deen
called by him as his assistants Should make tn aI
motion to the Court; and l am sorry to say
it has devolved on mo 10 90 IT,
for greatly, prefer SILENCE to speech:
| cannot / would not, trust myself to speak OF those
qualities which endcared him to all his friends
Aud vet feel like giving expression TO one thOngnt
in relation to his character and conduct as pupno
prosecutor; rot new tbought-a thought lhaC
must be in everybody's mind who knew
him-and that was that in his conduct
as District Attorney. he seemed to me TO DC almost
the ideal public officer. In bis conduct as q puDnc
prosecutor he felt that he was the counsel Tor me
prisoner as we'll as the counsel for the people nj;
Rollins concluded by asking that the GouL sl4 h
made on It's records of the reasons for such adjourn
Addresses were also made by John r. Fellows,
John o. Mott, Charles S. Spencer and Charles T.
Brooke. -, ~, .,r
Judge Cowing said that he holed that other public
prosecutors would emulate Mr. Phelpss ability, up,
rightness and falthfulness. Recorder Smyth sad
that he had known Mr. Phelps for many
wears, and knew him to be well read
LAWYER He had prosecuted more important
eases than any of his predecessors and had conducted
them well. Judge GllleTsleeve referred TO Mi;
PhelpSs kind disposition and generous nature ana
characterized him as a lawyer of moro than ordinary
ability and conscientious officer. In granting the
motion. he said
:" have to announce the conclusion at which the
members of the Court have arrived to his sue
Cessor IL becomes the duty Of the Court under the
statute FL the vacancy and to have the gentle
man so appointed discharge the duties of the Office
until the Governor of the State shall see hit regu-
laTly to appoint successor. When the ques-
ton arose, but one name came 10 our
minds, O gentleman in whom we have per
feet confidence, and to whom the duties
OF the Office can be in'Iusted with safetya gentle
man who was one of Mr. Phelps's warmcst friends,
in whom Mr.. Phelps always had the greatest conf
dence The Court dpsgnates Daniel q. Rollins to
act as District Attorney until the Governor shall
appoint successor"
The Court adjourned until this morning, when
the Grand Jury Will be sworn in for the term.
All the bra 'ches of the Supreme. Superior, Com
mon Pleas Ad Marine Courts were closed yesterday
as an expression of respect 10 the late District
Attorney Phelps. Nearly all the judges, granting
the motion of adjournment, spoke earnestly OF the
vigOr and thOTOughness which Mr.. Phelps showed IN
performing the duties of his Office, as well as the
and business of his treatment OF criminals