New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-31
THE REMOVAL OF REQUIER.
JUDGE BARRETT ON MR.. OLNEY's COURSE
REASONS WHICH THE DIsTRICT-ATToRNEY GAVE
FOR HIS ACTION.

REASONS WHICH THE DIsTRICT-ATToRNEY GAVE
FOR HIS ACTION.
A reported misunderstanding between DIS
Attorney olney and Judge Barrett has caused tax
about the City Hall and the Court House recently soon
after Mr. Olney was appointed Dstric-Attorney no re-
moved three of his assistants including eA-'uase no
quier who was q member OF Tammany Hail. anu ni'u
the places with friends Of Hubert D. ihompsoh Oh"
members Of the County Democracy. He also fe.aneu
John r. Fellows q conspicuous representative Vi 'i'
thompson. The removal OF ex-Judge hequie,, ~ ao
reported was in conflict with UNDERSTANDING Det"oen
Judge Barrett and Mr.. Olney, ana had cauSeu d" i"'
ruption OF friendly relations.
In order % Get at the truth TRIBUNE reporter yeser
day made inquiries OF Judge Barrett
not true" said the Judge, that Mr. oney mace
any direct promise to me to retain Mr. Reqnier' bu.
havo hcen some unpleasant features connected
with the removal I have known Judge Requier for
many years and esteem him highly as an able lawyer ana
an honest man. He is sensitive and very honoraDe VI
all his dealings. Some years ago he was an assistant ~
the Corporation Counsers ofice-a place ne secuIeu
through the friendship Of Mr.. Kelly. When Iainnany
Hall nominated Mr. Schell for Mayor, MI he9uier iei
I'm honor bound to support him, although he knew IL
would be at the sacrifice Of his place In the ounce Oh Tue
CORPORATION Counsel Mr. Whitney was opposed 10 MI
scheu In order not to embarrass Mr.. Whitney In any
way Mr. Requler resigned. When Mr.. Mcheou was
elected DstricAttOrney he chose Judge Reqner as Que
o
Reouier discharged the duties of his office Win ente
satisfaction to the Dstrct-Attoney and to the Judges Oh
the Court Of General Sessions l UNDERSTOOD ln"'
Recorder Smyth, who has made an admirable record Oh
the bench preferred to have Mr. Requer pracce peoo
him rather than any OF the other Assistant DlsuioV
Attorneys; at ali events. that he regarded MIN very
highly Knowing these facts, supposed, OF course I
Mr. Olney would retain Mr. Reqner as one OF MS assist
ants unless he wanted TO make removals In order 10
secure men who in closer relations WIN hn' per
sonally and politically. Against that "olu not nave
one word 10 say. But such was not the reason gwen o
the change" 49,,
"Was not the change made LOT pohucai io"e0' 40
| quired the reporter.
| sMr Olney gave very different reason bad KNOWN
him well and had high respect for him OUT OF my re-
gard for Mr.. Requier wrote to the t,in5g
Expressing nv high opinion OF Mr.. Reqmer ana stlhs
that hoped that he would retain him for the reahueI
of the term for which he was Originally Pd dd not
am not identified with political factlon anu t Gu iD'
care ANYTHING about that. 1 merely spoke ior MI
omaTed for The place he held. Mr.. oney came to me
and said that he was sorry he had already resolved
for his decision and to my great surprise he replied that
Mr. Requier incompetent II that were tne reason
Great mistake / told him that Mr. Requer had tried
many before me- and that REGARDED sen Soie 6
what qualified TO speak to advocates capacity anu
knew Mr. Requer to be particularly wen q1anen1 avi
ana Justice Brady, before whom Mr.. Requer has tried
cases, and they confirm my opinion il regard 70 LIN.
Mr. Clney expressed his regret at the necessity OF Taxing
such course but he said that he must rely on the op
ions of the Judges of Cout of General Sessions VINO
the hest fitted the circumstances 10 decide on
the matter; and they had told him that Mr. Requer was
not fitted for prosecuting officer was very nuch aston
ished al this ont of course could say no more 49,,
81 WAS grieyed," continued Judge Barrett, 10 thlnk
that my friend should be removedon the ground Of in
capacity-much better any other reason tnaL lnhI-,
knowing as did how unjust 1t would be TO MIN VI
course told him about IL. He was very indignant ana
said that there must be some mistake as hecoTueI
Smyth without solicitation, had told him that ne hau
spOken highly Of him to the DstrictAtOrney lie Went
TO the Recorder and Judge Cowing and they Doth e&-
pressed their desire to him retaned and eaeh wrote
Mr. ReGuers entire fitness for the office held and recon-
mendine his retention Those letters. believe, were
printed In THE TRIBUNE. When Mr.. Requier brought Inc
those letters thought that would settle the matter as
Mr.. Olney would at once that he was mistaken
sent them to him, and gave myself no more concern
| about H. To my further surprise received reply
stating that the letters did not change Mr. Olneys IN
tention of removing Mr. ReQuer and That had made tne
removal additionally painful by disclosing tha ne had ou
me In confidence felt very much hurt al that state
ment Mr.. Olney may have said that he spoke III conn
dence but certainly yer heard II nor 80 undeisoodV
III | had understood his reasons to be confidential
should have told him at that would not treat them
So To see my friend removed for an alleged reason hat
knew TO be based misrepresentation OF the iacts
and not TO acquaint him with the circumstances, "ouu
be doing something that am incapable OF doing
am very sOrry," Judge Barrett SAID IN CONCLUSION
that anything of the kind has occurred or at such re-
norris should have got out abOgt IT, But the FACTS are
as have stated them to you. Mr. Olney removed Mr.
Reouer and appointed Senator Fitzgerald and two 0heTs
believe to the he created In that way lie re-
taned however Mr.. Fellows. am sure bear no ill-will
ton OF the Office will be a successful one