New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-13
STRONG DENIALS MADE.
NO QUARREL OR DISPUTE IN THE DIS
TRICT- ATTORNEY OFFICE.
MR.. CRANE AND MR. BAcKUs CORRECT SOME
MEASUREMENTS AND EXPLAIN WHY THE

MP. CRANE AND MR. BACKUs CORRECT SOME
MEASUREMENTS AND EXPLAIN WHY THE
FORMER is LEAVING THE OFFICE
Assistant District-Attorney Frederick E. crane
and District-Attorney Foster l.. Backus maze spe-
cifc denials Yesterday to a Tribune reporter OF
the statements which have been published IN the
last few days regarding the reason Tor MT. crane
withdrawal from the Office at the first OF 'he year
The statements were voluntary. and both men saiu
they were anxious to have the reports co'ie0''N
Mr.. Backus said:
eft has been reported In certain New-York pa
pers that Mr. Crane has been crowded out OF ms
Office. That is absolutely untrue II mas Deen saio
that Mr.. Crane was the appointee OF jacob Wo''ii
and that Mr. Worth and myself are enemies ana
consequently Mr.. Crane is person whom 90
not favor. That also is absolutely untrue. MI
Crane was not Mr.. Worth's appontee nor any
one else's except my own. He was not an app"-
cant for the position OF Assistant Dstrct-Attorney
He did not como to me and ask me Tor the piace'
There were two candidates of the worth people
from his ward and two candidates of the anti
Worth people. l picked out Mr.. Crane. who was
mentioned by no one. ! went to him and asked
hin 10 become my assistant. The members OF his
firm ex-Judge Daily and James d. Bell op)ecteo
strongly, saying that he could not aford 10 leaFe
his private practice. and that they could not aoro
TO loso him. Mr.. Crane himself did not want 10
come and had to considerable persuasion on
with me for year. He leaves the Office now be-
cause he believes that 1t is for his best interest 10
do and that he can better provide FOR MS tuturo
in private practice than he could in this Office. l
am very sorry to lose him. and DO not know how
l shall be able TO fill his place. Our relations have
been of the peasantest and II Mr.. Crane would
continue in the office / should be more than glad
have him. There have been some puDHsAeu
statements that his retirement Is due IN part 10
the fact that he has not got along well with MI
Miles. my other principal assistant Ihose repTts
also absolutely without foundation. Mr. Mics
and Mr.. Crane have had no disagreements. ana
am sure that a perfect friendship EXISTS pe'WSen
them q it does with The work of the Office
has distributed ITSELF almost, and there mas pech
friction whatever in the matter OF trying cases
month and in court trying cases the next and so
has Mr.. Miles Each man has followed out the
cases that he commenced .
Every word thai Mr.. Backus has said Is true,
said Mr. Crane. land want to emphasize them.
l leave the office here with great regret, but be-
cause believe it is my duty to my wife and fam
ess. do not think have ever spent pleasanter
year than the one that has just passed: My rea-
friendliest-, I count him now ono Of the best
friends have. As for Mr. Miles, our relations
into the Office did not know him. except as
lawyer knows another at the Bar. Since then We
have grown to be friends, and ! think we shall II
cases All this talk about my not having had any
good cases TO try is nonsense. guess have tried
as many cases in this Office any other man
tnctly understood that am not forced crowd
ed out, shall be glad TO have you say So"
Mr.. Backus said also that there were certain
cases arising ont OF the appointments made in the
ONCE which had been placed entirely In Mr..
Cranes hands. He would continue to look after
them even after he left the Office, ard II necessary
Mr. Cranes salary. and that of the other assist
ants In the office. is 5000 year.