The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-27

siderable political Importance. The District
Attorney Is the public prosecutor OF of
Tenders against the Federal statutes. His
Jurisdiction covers cases Of counterfeltinR,
smuggling and differentiation, marine
cases. patent cases. naturalization cases,
and criminal processes against aliens.
1t Is an honorable and lucrative post,
usually held by some lawyer OF high pro-
fessional standing among his associates.
without giving the names OF all those
who have held 1t. We mention few. typical
o; all the appointees: JOHN MckEoN,
JAMES J. ROOSEVELT DANIEL s. DICKINSON.
NOAH DAVIS. GEORGE BLIss. EbIHU RooT,
WILLIAM DoBsHEIMER. STEPHEN A. WALK
ER. and EDWARD MITCHELL.
This office became vacant short time
ago by the resignation Of Mr.. MITCHELL, a
Republican. The Hon. WILLIAM COLLINS
WHITNEY not being at hand, as he was be-
tween the years 1885 and 1889, to contribute
his sage advice TO an Executive whose
knowledge Of the bar OF New York and Its
members seems very superficial and inaccu-
rate. Mr.. CLEVELAND. relying. perhaps. on
a lawyers directory for the purpose OF
making a selection, has sent to the United
States Senate the name OF WALLACE MAC
FARLANE to DO United States District At
torney. The Judiciary Committee Of the
Senate has postponed action in the matter
Who IL MAcFARLANE What are his
qualifications for the Office Of District At
torney ?" are the questions now asked.
No satisfactory answer has been fur
nished. for the reason, 1t Is alleged, that Mr..
MAcFARLANE Is practically unknown. He
is said to be young lawyer. a native Of
Nova Scotia, a Mugwump with professional
connections OF some sort with Mr.. G. 8.
FAIRcHILp. Beyond that, he is not known
to any considerable number OF New Workers,
and among Democrats he Is a sort Of myth
icNl parsonage. corresponding to WILLIAM
PArTEnsoN's nssallant. or SAIREY CAMPS
friend, Mrs. HARRIS II Is said by some
persons, who claim to have special knowl-
edge Of the subject. that this Is the same
MAoFARLANE who recently acted as coun-
sci for Mr.. FA1RcHfLD's committee which
investigated the workings Of the Custom
House. and made sundry recommendations
which have not been acted upon by the
Treasury Department. That seems i'm
probable. unless It Is believed that he was
chosen US the FAIRCHILD committees coun-
sci In order to introduce him to the public
with q view to official service ut the public
expense thereafter. 1t Is somewhat as II
our Recorder SMYTH should assign for SER
vice in case lawyer not otherwise In de-
mand. and then hold that such casual en-
ployment was sufficient to qualify him
to be District Attorney afterward.
Whether the Democratic Senators from
New York determine to oppose the con-
firmation OF Mr.. MAcFARLANE, or acqui-
esce tacitly In 1t for the sake OF party har-
mony. the fact remains that the injury to
tho cause Of Democracy was committed
when the nomination was originally made.
While the evil effects Of 1t might be miti-
gated by q rejection. they could not en-
tirely be done away with.
How differently and how much better Is
the constitutional duty Of making execu-
tive nominations performed by the homely
Democratic Governor OF New York State.
ROSWELL P. FLOWER Instead OF having a
Democratic Senate OF his own party to pass
upon his nominations. he Is confronted by
O strongly Republican Senate. keenly In
tent upon partisan advantage. But so faith
full is Governor FLOWER to the duties Of his
office. and so saBacious in the exercise Of
discretion In choosing proper nominees.
that when recently the most important
Office he has to I'LL became vacant. the loyal
Democrat whose name he sent to the SEN
ate was unanimously confirmed. and Is now
acceptably performing the duties Of his post.