The evening world., 1894-07-27
De LANCEY NICOLLOUT
Will No Longer Act as Attorney
for Policemen.
He Denies Giving Mr.. Wellman Ger.
tain Papers.
Commissioner Martin Explains Mr..
Nicoll's Action.

ALBANY, n. Y, July 27-Ex- District
Attorney De Lancey Nicoll. OF New York,
who is here attending the Constitutional
Convention. gave out the following let
ter for publication to-day, and imme-
dately afterwards mailed 1t to Police
Inspector Williams. OF New York city:
STATE OF NEW YORK
CONSTITUTIONAL coTvENTioN.s
To Alex S, Williams Inspector. &C.
Dear sir In this mornings journals I read
that Capt poherty. in the course OF his exami.
ntimsted that Mr. Wellman had received from
me some paper handed to me as counsel for the
need hardly say that he was mistaken and
that OF course | have had no communication OF
any sort with MIR. weliman or his associates in
any proceeding against capt. Doherty or any
other captain or Inspector.
but avail myself OF this incident to express
to you in writing and through you to the In
spectors and Captains what have heretofore
asked Supt Byrres to communicate, namely.
L "s ' G"Imit... and the passage Of Tesoiu
ton by the Police Commissioners directing the
PREPARATION Of CHARGES asain.t of,e.r. Of the
department for whom ! have been acting, ] de-
ridei that could not consistently with my Views
" professional rioprtety continue thereafter In
matters growing out OF the Senate Investi CATION
or at its future sessions to represent either
Commissioner Martin Commissioner sheehan, or
any OF the uniformed force, and that my resgna
tIon as counsel must he accepted Yours truly,
Signed DE LANCEl NfCOLL.
The fact that Mr.. Nicoll had ceased
to act for any OF the police officials,
| and that when the Lexow Committee
resumed Its investigation in September
and their lawyer would probably appear
| In his place. caused a big !commotion
around Police Headquarters. Following
SO fast upon the conviction OF Capt.
Doherty and his ward men, It came In
the nature of a sensation.
Inspector Williams. to whom the letter
was addressed was one Of the most
surprised men about the building He
was unacquainted with It's contents until
him iSs albany seHr'eF Al n0 isis
o'clock this afternoon he received a short
| follows:
have sent YOU letter In reference to Capt.
Dohertys statement and have given 1t out for
| publication
THAT is the only communication
have received, the Inspector said. II
suppose the letter will get here to-mor"
row morning
Worlds despatch as given above. Then
he said.
II do not know why Mr. Nicoll should
address such communication to me, as
am no more directly interested than
any other member Of the uniformed
force whom he represents as counsel.
should imagine that President Martin
or the Superintendent would have been
the proper person for him to address
his resignation to. All l can say is that
II Is n big surprise to me. I do not care
to discuss 1t any further"
Commissioner John c. 3heehan wa,
found at his Broadway offlce by the re
porter who showed him the letter. Hav
Ing Psrused na IT he 10 s1 ms never heard
this letter before. have nothing I,
say with reference to T.
President Martin, wis was seen. sub
considerable light on Mr.. Nicoll's action
About ten days after the adjourn
me11t Of the Lexow Committee. b, h
formed form me OF his desire to retire a.
counsel for us. He gave as his reason
practically. the same as contained II
his open letter to Inspector William,
to-day. We do not want to part will
his services. but must, of course. nov
abide by his decision. 1t is not ye
agreed who shall succeed Mr.. Nicoll o
Mr.. Nicoll said to me in the CONVEX
sation referred to that inssmuch as tn
Commiss ioners had resolved to plac
of the the n9w 1Srte
trial, that he could not see how he coul'
| with propriety. continue to act as coun
sci before that Committee.
of Friend & House. Of the Pulitzer Build
inc. said that his Arm had been re
tained by the uniformed force to repre-
sent them. and that they had appeare'
during the last four days OF the LexoV
Committee's investigation.
" do not think there is much OF a sur
prise In Mr.. Nicoli getting out now h
added "Our firm has just been re
tanned by Sergt Clarke, Iiebers. Jor
! dan ami McKenna and Patrolman Meyer
who were suspended yesterday. We wi
1 defend them in all the proceedings tina
as yet been filed"