New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-18
THE DISTPICT-ATTORNEY.

Though letters of recommendation are pro-
verbally easy to obtain. it Is not OFTEN 'hai a
candidate for public office Is able TO present 10
the Amounting power credentials from so many
various sources as the new Distrct-Attorney
has freely drawn upon. 1t Is evident that he
cniovs the respect and confidence OF large NUM-
her of citizens whose estimate Of n mans char
actcr and capacity IL worth having. and this fact
will doubtless establish him in the general good
will Of the community at the beginning OF his
career as public prosecutor. We are giad 10 oe-
licyc also that the circumstances OF his appoint
mcnt will deepen his sense of rrsponslpiii'! AL"
forify his determination 10 serve the people
faithfully in difficult and delicate place
There certainly opens before Mr. Olcoit an OPP
poriunity which may well attract young man
of talent and ambition. but If he Is fitted TO make
the most of it he must he aware That IL Involves
tremendous temptations as well as ard'io"s III
Dor The law gives him almost autocra'ic power
within his sphere. but. possessing the advantage
of actual control over his department. he j. ne
barred from laying the blame for failures upon
his subor,linalcs The choice of assistants r'-
longs exclusively 10 him in theory ana we SIN
cprelv hone that he has retained that an'horii!
unlmpaired by any promise or understanding
4 chief cause Of inefficiency in the DISTRICT
Atiorney's office has been the fact that for many
vears lis patronage has been largely morigased
in advance II has been too much a refuge for
the fayoritcs OF political organizations. with all
that that implies Of sinister manipulation. 10
far too great an extern; also It has provided
places for men of undoubed ability VINO nave
not been satisfied to devote all their time ana
l.,,t Inx. mol
,he right 10 increase the handsome incomes
which the people provide by serving private
clients. The Disirict-Atiorney' stan Is large
If members of II have time to earn big ices III
addition 10 their salaries. II is too large II Is
customary when an assistant has been FOR some
tlme closely engaged in an important case to
allow him an interval for rest and recuperaion
The nracticc would he less Objectionable II he
did not generally employ the time so granted
in professional labor on his own account. III
this and other respects the whole administration
of the office has too commonly been indicative
of a false conception OF public obligation. There
is not the slightest doubt that any private legal
establishment would be glad TO undertake an
equal amount Of work with much smaller
force. and there is no reason why the city should
he served with far less diligence at far greater
cost than privat' litigants.
As regards individual subordnaes and details
of administration we have no advice to ofer
Mr. Olcott nor do we mean to imply that he Is
in need of any admonition to fidelity. No more
solemn responsibility can rest upon public
official than that which he has accepted. The
District Attorney Is in sense the centre OF the
municipal system. There is not department
MOI .ifh nr
help or hinder II he is just. fearless. resolu'e
and able, imbued with zeal for the public honor
and welfare and resolved that the whole con
duet Of his Office shall exemplify those QUALITIES
he is an ideal public prosecutor such District
Attorney we have not had in recent years. Such
a one we trust that Mr. OlcOt will prove to be.