New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-06
NOT QUOTED CORRECTLY.
DIsrRICT-ATToRNEY BACKUs EXPLAINS
A MEASUREMENT.


A MEASUREMENT
NO SUSPICION OF ANY EMPLoYE OF HIS OFFICE
THE KLEIN CASE AND ITS POSSIBLE RE-
SUBSCRIBING WATCH OF
FIREBUGs.
Efforts were made yesterday in an afternoon
newspaper to cast suspicion upon subordinate'
now in the District-Attorney office. IT being
broadly ntimated that some one in the once
was In league with Jacob Klein charged win
arson in having set fire 20 his tailor store NO.
"A Johnson-ave., Brooklyn. on June 80, 1894. IL
was said that Foster L. Backus. District-Attof-
ney last Wednesday made an assertion 10 the
Senate judiciary Committee. in support OF the
bill providing for removal of employees which
was interpreted to mean that he knew OF coiiu-
sion in his department In the hreDug case.
Further. it was alleged Mr.. Backus had salu
then that the case of Klein or OF "a fireoug VINO
has been indicted and arrested in Philadelphia
will be one Of the most sensational cases ever
tried in Kings County when it comes up next
week and that on the trial II Will be SHOWN tha'
one of the attaches of the District-Attorney's
office is tainted" District-Attorney Backus was
seen by Tribune reporter yesterday afternoon
in the Clarendon Hotel, at the breakfast given
for Mr. Mn the actor. Upon being asked 10
cav something on the subject Of the alleged
charges. Mr.. Backus replied:
81 am glad The Tribune has asked me for an
explanation I have been misquoted and snail
be glad to give ct report OF what dlu
say / said that the District-Attorney shouio
have subordinates who can pass civil service
examination, but 1t should be given by the us
trict-Attorney himself, and they should be men
IN whom, the Dstrict-Attorney has implicit con-
fidence. The relations Of the Distrlct-Attorney
to the public are those Of lawyer to his clients
The secrets Of the District-Attorney's office and
of the Grand Jury are sacred The Dstrict-At-
torney is responsible for his subordinates TO
Illustrate: My subordlnates subpoenaed VIII
nesses, the Grand Jury indicted. we went TO the
Governor got requisition. went to Phiiadephia
and arrested frebug. and not newspaper
knew a word about what was being done
az had a subordinate whom could not trust
10 keep secrets I'd lock him in room, for that's
the best service that could be done to the county
Under the law as 1t now stands he couldn't be re-
,novsa without a trial I want the right to re-
move when / have any suspicion OF subordi-
nate.
~ did not say that any subordinate OF mine
was tainted in this case. but intended. rather, to
nav tho men In my Office a compliment.
The reporter said that he supposed some OF the
employes OF the District-Attorney's office natur-
ally must feel badly about the suspicion that had
been cast upon them. Mr. Backus replied that
as the subject had been published in an AFTER
noon paper none Of the employees knew al whom
the finger OF accusation had been pointed. Mr..
Backus said that he had talked to his suoordi-
mates however, and explained how he had been
misquoted.
KLEIN HAD NETWORK CONNECTIONS.
The District Attorney was then asked II he ex-
nected any sensational developments In the Klein
trial. Mr.. Backus answered that he could not
say
AT least. Mr. Backus. will there be any start
ling developments connected with the District
Attorneys ofice?"
None, whatever" was the reply.
HAD Klein any connection with the New-York
Arebugs?'
1t Is suspected that there may be some Inter
esting developments connected win the hleih
trial, however.
1t is not known whether or not any former en-
ploye OF the Distrct-Attorney's office. under MI
Ridgway, may be connected with the case. II
has been intimated however, that Benjamin F.
Lewis, formerly Fire Marshal. may be summoned
from Lakewood ~ j.. where he Is at present 10
explain certain things In connection with the
Klein case The gang Of firebugs In Brooklyn
fourshed in that city under his administration
Under Mr. Brymer who succeeded him. they
were driven to New-York, and, In the end, INTO
the hands OF the law.
HOW TROUBLE WAS CAUSED FOR WE1N1G.
Klein ras been arrested in Philadelphia. The
man who gave the information upon which lie
was Indicted Is David Weinig, who also gave as
sistance in apprehending Louis Gordon. Max
Glueckman Adolph Hirschkopf and others. Po-
lice Inspector Mackellar had Weinig employed by
the Police Department. in order to help in run
ming down the frebugs. Detective Zundt then
assigned to Fire Department work. under Mr..
Lewis arrested Weinig charging him with I'm
perst mating a fire marshal and with extortng
money from Klein. 1t Is said that Inspector
Mackelar was astonishcd at Weinigs arrest, and
that II interfered with his plans. Weng alleged
that the charge against him had been manufaci-
ured bv the firebugS to prevent him from "x-
posing them Moreover II has beer alleged that
in the Fire Marshals office great zeal was mani
tested in prosecuting Weinig; further, that when
he was held for the Grand Jury two detectives
a barroom. Tine Grand Jury did not indei
Weinig
Fire Marshal Brymer said yesterday afternoon
that Inspector Mackellar had seemed to place
great confidence in Weinig. but that that conf
dence had not been felt in the Fire Marshars
office He intimated that he knew more about
the case than he willing to tell, but said
the case. Mr.. Brymer used to be warden OF
Raymond Street Jail several years ago. when he
had several members of the firebug gang under
lis charge Since he had taken office the fire.
bugs had thought 1t wise TO go to New
York Mr.. Brymer now keeps complete record