New-York tribune., 1896-12-09
PRICE THREE CENTS.
FOR DISTRlCT-ATTORNEY.
ALDERMAN OLcOTTs PROMINENCE AZ
A CANDIDATE

MANY REPUBLICANS iScLrDING MAYOR STRONG,
URGE THE GOVERNOR To APPOINT HIM.
1t was said at the Fifth Avenue Hotel last
evening that Alderman William NJ. X. Olcott
Of the XXIst Assembly District had been
agreed upon for Dstrict-Attorney to succeed
the late Colonel John r. Fellows. and that Gov.
srnor Morton would make tn appointment In
few days. II this statement proves true. Mr..
Ocott will be commissioned TO hold the Office
until January I. 1898. 1t said last even
ing that the chief elements OF the Republican
party in the city had united upon Mr. Olcott.
and that his selection was positively assured.
Mayor Strong yesterday afternoon wrote a
letter to Governor Morton warmly indorslng
Mr.. Ocott as a man OF ability and Integrity and
as lawyer holding a high rank in his profess
sion 1t was said that certain other Republi-
cans not In sympathy with the State organiza-
tiop had also sent letters to the Governor, urg-
Ing HIM To decide on Mr. Ocott.
Mr.. Ocott seemed to be equally popular with
the organic ltion people and his friends said that
he had been indorsed by Mr.. Platt. Edward
Lauterbach and many leaders Of the machine
forces In the evening Mr. Olcott called on Mr..
P!att at the latters apartments In the Fifth
Avenue Hotel. and had an interview with him.
Before Mr.. Ocott had sald good might to Mr..
report that Olcott had "cinch" the Dis
trict -Attorneyshi?.
Mr. Olcott lives at NJ ~ West Eighty fourth
St. and is member of the law firm Of Oicott &
OlcOtt No. Warren-st He was born In this
city thirty-six years ago. and after receiving q
liberal education he studied law. and has since
his admission to the bar devoted himself To his
profession. For several years he has taken an
active interest in politics and has been recog-
nzed as one Of the most ardent and influential
young Republicans on the West Side. Two years
ago this fall he elected TO the Board Of Al
dermen from what was then the XXIIId Dis
trict. and became the organization OF the
Board the Republican leader OF that body. a
post which he has filled with tact. independence
and acceptabty. There is more popular
member OF the Board to-day. He assigned
at once to the important place Of chairman Of
the Finance Committee. which made him a
member OF the Board Of Sinking Fund Commits
sioners. The records of the Beard show that he
has been painstaking and well-equipped men,
Der of the Commission. which IL in many respects
the most important In the city government
Mr.. Olcott chairman Of the Republican
County Convention of 1894 and his speech in
the Committee OF Seventy conference at the
United Charities Building in formulating the
demand for the nomination Of a Republican for
Mayor after the Seventy had settled on Mr. Con.
will long be remembered model Of direct
ress. Mr. Olcott one of the Republican
representatives at all the Seventy's consulta-
tions and presided over the Republican County
Convention when Mayor Strong was nominated.
Whoever Of the Republicans proposed should
receive the appointment OF District-Attorney. a
thorough reorganization OF that office may he
expected. For years under Tanimany domina-
ton II has been regarded as one OF the worst
managed departments in this city. The annual
appropriation OF $4,000 has been squandered
on favortes OF the Croker regime. while the
cause of justice and the popular interests were
neglected. OF The seventy-hve subordinate
places on the payrolls. almost all have been held
by Tammany Hall placed there on the
recommendation Of the Tammany leaders
There will be little regret felt that sweeping
changes are to follow the entrance OF Repub-
lican head.
An effort. II Is understood. Is being made 10
choose District-Attorney who Will conduct
the office a way entirely satisfactory to
the popular wishes that he Will be nominated
and elected by the people at the election OF
November 1897. for the full term.