New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-19
CONCERNING DISTRICT 4TTORNEYS.

Ey-Speakcr SulZcr has introduced Dill at
Albany to give the rict-Attorney another
deputy ut a salary Of $1,000, and to ada new
offices TO other departments for the enrichment
of the greedy horde of Tammany placc-holdcrS.
1t is peculiarly impudent in Mr.. SulZcr To ask
n Republican LEGISLATURE 10 enlarge the already
cxorbitant demands made by Tammany ana 10
increase the burdens of Ncw-YOrk. The force
in the District-Attorney's office ought to be
cut down, not increased. Although DE l.ancey
Nicoll was an efficient and even brilliant us
trict Attorney he was 4 very cXtravagant one,
and the District-Attorncys office cost Il great
deal Of money while he was in control. The
District Attorneys staff is much larger than 1t
need be in order TO bring about the best re-
suits 1t has been the practice in the ONCE
for many years to give assistants and deputies
extremely long periods Of rest after they have
carried through important cases, and these
wcll-pad lawyers have, in many cases, neg
lected the interests OF the city while they were
at work for private clients, who paid them
handsome fees The number Of persons en-
Moved in the District-Attorncy office could
he cut down AT least onchalf with great bcnc-
At to the community. Every man there. from
the District Attorney down. ought 10 be re-
ouired 10 do six days of honest hard work for
the CITY every week for ut least forty-cight
weeks I'm each year II that were the rule in
the District Attorneys office oncthrd the pres
ent force could actually accomplish more than
is accomplished under the present system.
II has become the custom in Ncwlork and
Brooklyn to look upon the position of District
Attorney as place Of elegant cas-" and leisure
for most Of the time varied with occasional
Of ilipnup. and activity Admirable Il
observation-disclosures as Mr. Nicoll was in some
things his vacations for recreation and enjoy
mcnt were inorlnatcy frequent and long. The
District-Attorncy OF Kings County never over
works himself, but he is absent from duty for
protractcd periods every year. He is now on
toying himself in Florida. Judge Cullen has
lust given decision which declares in effect.
that District Attorney Rldgway has been mis-
leading the Grand JuricS Of Kings County for
years by instructng them that they could not
find indictments in cases Of msdcmcanor.
Rdgway assured the Grand Jurors that all such
cases should 90 10 Police Justices and bc tried
by them There was no sufficient Justification
in law for such advice 10 Grand Jurics. but
in this way Rdgway protected Mayor Body
and many other Brooklyn officials. who were
the agents and tools of the corrupt aud dctcSt-
able Mclaughlin KING RlugNay mas Dc'n me
most servccabc representative OF the Brook
Ign Ring in office ever known in Kings County
Fortunately for public morals and public order
the prosecution Of McKnnc and his gang was
taken out of RidGway's hands. 1t is not likely
that the present District-Attorncy Of Kings
County will ever hold another elective Office
after his term expires The decent people Of
Brooklyn have lost all faith in him. and the
smashing Of the Ring at tho election last No
vcmbcr is likely to be followed by the smash
ing Of Rdgway
The Republican Legislature will be faiihcss
10 its duty If it fails 20 defeat any bills which
have been introduced at Albany in the interest
OF thicvish Tammany or Of the rascally Kings
County Ring. Many such bills have been in.
troduccd at this session, and more may be ex
pcctc1.