New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-22
GOOD PLACES TO BE FILLED.
MIR. BACKUS WILL HAVE HIS OWN FORCE
OF DETECTIVES.
THE EXTRA CLERKS PROVIDED FOR nv THE
NEW LAW soRELY NEEDED IN THE DIS

NEW LAW SORELY NEEDED IN THE DIS
TRICT-ATTORNEY's OFFICE
The glad news has been telegraphed to District
Attorney BackIs IN Savannah. Ga, that his bill ha
been signed by Governur Morton Mr. Backus IS a
member Of the Supreme Council Of the Royal Ar
canum, and as he strongly advocated the holding Of
this years convention in Savannah, the people of
that city insisted on his being present.
Two OF the most important things for which this
Dill provides are the extension of Mr. Backuss term
OF office 10 December 81. 1892 and the making of the
Distrct-Attorney term hereafter four years Hth-
erto the term has been for three years but the
constitution provides that the election for this office
must occur In an odd-numbered year. and therefore
there was no alternative. practically except to make
the term two or four years Mr.. Backus succeeded
In getting the longer term as have all the other
important Kings County officials.
The next most important provision OF the bill Is
the legisa ton out Of office OF the ten detectives who
several years ago succeeded In getting the Legsla
ture to give them life tenure of office As all of
these detectives Democrats. and some OF them
have shown special ftness for their work. Mr.
Backus decided, Immediately after his election. that
II important that he should have the appoint
ment and removal OF the detectives under him. so
that he might place In office men upon whom he
could depend absolutely. The work which these de-
tectives required do s not only entirely con-
dentia but often requires the most difcult sort Of
detective work. The present incumbents of these
J. r. Irwin j. j. Kerwin. ]. Foley, John Dee. j. j.
Mahoney Charles Doyle. Thomas McNeely and NJ. j.
McGinnis McGnnis served detective on John
Y. McKsne's somewhat remarkable force in Graves
end. and succeeded In getting an appointment from
Distrtct-Attorney Ridgway after his chief got into
trouble 1t is highly probable that nearly all Of
these will be replaced soon. There is scarcely
ward that has not q number Of active Republican
candidates for the places
Tho bill provides for five stenographers. each OF
whom is to act a private secretary to Mr. Backus
or one OF his assistants At tho present time the
once has only regularly employed stenographer.
and another who is employed in cases Of emergency.
The salary IS not 10 exceed 5000 but 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Backus will pay $1,000 1t Is doubt-
fu, whether moro than two additional stenographers
will be appointed at present as the place OF third
Assistant District-Attorney is vacant. An active
candidate for this position is William F. Randall.
an administration politician OF the Twenty-third
Ward. Both he and Assemblyman Audett i've IN
Pulaski-st, and as Mr.. Audett introduced MT
Backuss bill. the chances of Mr.. Randall are con-
sidered good The bill provides for the present ONCE
of chief clerk, held by David Healy at salary OF
$500 and for five additional clerks. This will en-
able Mr. Backus to appoint one more clerk. as Mt
Healy already has four assistants Formerly tho
number Ct clerks fixed by the Board OF Super
Nsors The bill provides for messenger at 81 ?CS'
place that is not filled and doorKeeper at WV
This office needs tho additional help for which
provision Is made In this bill. said Chlel C.erk
Heay TO a Tribune reporter yesterday; We have
been so deluged with work that have had 70 WORK
here many nights Since Mr.. Backus took once an
average OF 10 indictments month have oee cen
found Besides this there were 80 old cases on mo
calendar before New Years Since the frst OF the
year 226 cases have been disposed Of ana two dozen
Under this conviction these criminals can be picked
up ty police officers at any time or place ana with
out warrants and made TO give an account OF them
selves. This enforcement OF the habitual crminal
provision Of the Code is having salutary enect IN
warming this class of people to keep away from
Brooklyn. -,
"a great deal OF clerical work has been involved
IN the preparation Of each cnse handled one great
cause OF need for additional force Is that the
County Clerk Is the lawful custodian OF all indict
ments Hitherto II has been necessary FOR this
office. In emergency, 10 go TO the County clerk
Office and give a receipt for each indictment which
desired examine. Now we have introduced q
system OF taking certified copies Of all INDICTMENTS:
course entails much clerical work but II IS OF great
convenience this office. and helps materially In
securing accuracy In work