New-York tribune., 1883-12-11
A NEW DISTRICT-ATTORNEY.
MR.. PEcKHAMs SUDDEN RESIGNATION.


nI-HEALTH STATED AS THE cAUsE-PErkh De
oLNEY APPOINTED.
Wheeler Fl. Peckham, who was appointed Dls-
trict.Attorney on November 80 to succeed the late
John McKeon. has resigned, and Peter b. Olney
has been appointed by the Governor to succeed him.
MIR. Peckham on Sunday sent the following letter
to the Governor:
EEw-YoRK Dec. o, 1883,
BS5 Madison-ave. } .
10 resign tSe ONCE Of DstTctAttorney Of the County Of
HewYork TO which you lately did me the great noho
to spSt me nc MY 0 rss the OF the office
the present time impose You may wei ask why ,hTn'
who have 80 cordially ndorsed my appointment, that
should answer fully and frankly. ~, NTH
insomnia and nervous prostraton caused partly by en
pOsure TO the In sailing and by severe W9ik
In EUROPE in the SUMMER Of 1882 had greatly bene
fitted me that this fall resumed my professional iaDor,
petey restored In that belief accepted your appoint
ment Ny very short experience IN tne G once ace 1 5aiIoWsd
by absolutely sleepess nights. such as have eIpen
enced during the past week. soon unnt man TOT the W
MY physician advises me that my resignation Is mpera-
tive and that only choice whether 70 ress Se
recuperatlon may be impossible. ,, -
1t may be asked why my official duties should prove o
ornary @9rs and roane aos Of he ONCE Pe
and perhaps much less but such are not the oy
Spis S ShS Sssf
the most complete and thorough pvesgson Ups u and
enepesO Ssnrss for the punishment
doers To that expectation propose to respond For no
saec ssa. and Ssv. accepted the Office
BY the sacridCe of my health could do the YORK ;b
could not do IT, Because my physical strength unequal
to this work. and for that reason only hereby
New-York to take effect upon the appointment OF ny
successor which trust may be at a. early oay aS ~"
have the honor TO be, with respect your ooeoea %
want, WHEELER H. fECAhAa
For several days previous to his resignation Mr.
Peckham had been urging Mr. Olney to accept
high position in the Distrct-Attorneys once. Inc
Governor did not know, however, whether or not
Mr.. Oney would even accept the ofhce OF piStrie'-
Attorney commission was nevertheless made
out TO him, and was brought TO this city from
Albany last night by Daniel S. Lamont, the Cover
nor's private secretary. Mr.. Lamont by telegraph
requested Mr. Oiney TO meet him at the flfth
Avenue Hotel Mr. Olney did and was then
proffered the office. which he accepted. lie was
then given his commission.
Mr. Peckham said late in the evening. when
TRIBUNE reporter called Mt his house. that his rea-
sons for resIgning the office fully stated In his
letter 20 the Governor and that he could add moth
ing more to them.
WHAT MR. oINRY SAYS or Ills APPOINTMENT
Mr. Olney was seen at his house, No. IL East
Nintb.st He had lust returned from his interview
with Mr.. Lamont. Mr.. Oney said "At the time OF
the vacancy caused by the death OF Mr. Mckeon,
some of my friends desired that should be candi-
date for the appointment. told them did not
wish 20 be considered a candidate. but that II the
Governor should see fit to offer inc the appointment
would take the matter into consideration. When
Mr.. Peckham's appointment was made was much
-. n . g;..,, Ia
dt one. When Mr. Pockhams resignation was
known in Albany 1t was intimated to me that the
Governor contemplated appointing me IL would
accept the office considered the matter, consulted
with my friends concluded TO accept, and my com
mission arrived here this evening. shall see MIR.
Peckham in the morning and should 10 suit his con-
yenience will take the oath and assume the duties
of the Office tomorrow. have had no time since
my appointment 20 layi tout any definite plan OF
action, but shall execute the law TO my best abil-
ity | shall not peTsecute anybody, but Will en-
dcayor TO have Just, fair and proper administra-
tion Of the Office. / can safely say that no classes
of criminals will have any ground Tor cOngratula-
On being asked for his opinion Of the exposure Of
the fraudulent practices which have been exposed
in TnE TRIBUNE Mr. olney said have not bad
time 70 read the disclosures In The TRIBUNE with
sufficient care 10 form any opinion as TO what my
course will be in regard to them"
SKETCH or OF MR. oLNEY.
Peter b. Olney was born at Oxford. Massachu-
setts and is about .forty-fve years of age He was
graduated at Harvard University aud istndied law
in the Office of Evarts, Southmayd & Choate. He
has been a practising lawyer for about eighteen
years aud is associated in business with Francis e.
Barlow. He was formerly active member OF
Tammany Hall, and was the Tammany nominee for
District Attorney in 1875. but was defeated by pr.
Phelps, the sRepublican nominee. IN lSIZ Mr.
Olney was nominated for Alderman by the Com
mittoo Of Seventy. or late years be bas been All
active member of the Ant-Tanmany Democracy,
and he Is now leading member of the County
Democracy. ,Ile has frequently been mentioned rs
n probable nominee for Supreme Court Justice on
movements against tho Tweed Ring. Mr.. Olney
was associated with William c. Whitney and
George Bliss in preparing codifcstion Of tho laws
relating TO city.