Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-07
WILL NOT TELL WHY.
Attorney o'Neil Resigns as Public Prose
cutor and Is Succeeded By Attorney
Jamaa F. Russell.

Attorney O'Neill Resigns as Public Prose-
cutor and Is Succeeded BY Attorney
James e. Russell.
bomb shell thrown into the court
room would not cause much more surprise
than was oceasioned this morning by Judge
Root, when he took his seat on the police
court bench. He said before opening
court: 81 wish to say that Mr. O'Neill has
rendered his resignation as prosecuting at
torney in this court and it has been ac-.
cepted I regret the loss of his profess
sional skill and can hardly expect to find
man of his experience and ability to &C
cept the position. I have appointed as his
successor Mr. James E. Russell, who has
qualified and is ready to act
Attorney Russell in reply said: t'In ac-
cepting the position 1 promise to perform
the duties to the best of my ability and
according to law"
Judge Root then added: "Mr Russell
will also act as assistant clerk and assist
ant city attorney"
Mr. ONeill's resignation contained only
bare announcement of his intentions. 1t
was as follows: gef -..-. ... ~ q ~- y.
To the Honorable Charles G.. Root, De-
putty Judge of the District Court of Wat
erbury
l hereby tender my resignation as the
prosecuting attorney of the police court of
Waterbury JOHN O'NEILL.
Judge Root was interviewed by DEMO
GRAFT representative after court was over.
| He said Mr. O'Neilps resignation was sent
to him on Saturday. When asked what
the reasons were he declined to say.
Pressed further for an answer as to
whether it was because of a little tilt be-
tween himself and Attorney ONeill some
| ten days ago, wherein Judge Root had re-
| buked the attorney for criticising the
courts actions, he still declined to answer.
Attorney O'Neill was also interviewed.
He laughed as the two reporters faced him
and asked for his reasons for resigning.
He said he had nothing to say. When
asked if one of the reasons was not the re-
buke he received from Judge Root he re-
piled: perhaps so, but at the present
time I have nothing to say" And thus
the matter stands.
James E. Russell, the newly appointed
prosecuting attorney, is one of Water
burys brightest young lawyers and the
mantel of prosecutor could not have fallen
on a more efficient or conscientious attor-
ney. He was born in Waterbury in 1860,
which would make him just "a years of
age. His early education was received in
the public schools of this city. While at
tending the High school he conceived the
iOcd VI at OASO OALcA1uS SOlACSO anu
secure n thorough education. He
entered Holy Cross college at Worcester,
Mass, whore he spent five years, gradual
ing from there with the honor of D. A.
He then entered st Johns college, Ford
ham, and was graduated in 1886. He i'm
mediately entered the Yale law school and
passed the portals of that college in 1888.
He entered the law Office of Webster &
O'Neill where he remained fer one year,
finally opening an Office for himself in
Platt's block. His practice has been large
because of his conscientious method of
dealing with his clients and his indefati-
gable work on any case entrusted to him.
He has been clerk of the board of town
school visitors for three years and is now
serving second term. He has been iden-
tilted strongly with the democratic party
and is member of the Democratic asso-
citation