The times., 1897-04-04
AND ARMIES OUT
Their designations Accepted by
District Attorney Davis.
BOTH OF THEM REPUBLICANS
Joseph II. Shillington Selected f"
succeed Mr.. Jeffurds-- Davis Con-
suited Attorney General Mckenna
Before Making the Change He
May Hold Office for Some Time.

MessrS. Tracy l.. Jeffords and Charles II.
| attorneys in the office OF United States
/ District Attorney Henry f. Davis, yester-
day rendered their designations, and they
were promptly accepted, to take effect
| April 8, as noted in The Evening Times
Mr. Joseph H. Shiliington, a prominent
! local attorney. has been selected To sue
Ceed Mr.. Jcffords, but there has been no
| one named for the other place. Mr.. Davis
said he would announce a successor later.
Inquiry into the cause for these TeSigna-
tionS elected but little, except that the re-
lations between the District attorney and
his two assistants have been and are now
most cordial, and that their retirement con
veys no reflection upon their ability or
integrity as officials. 1t is said Mr.. Davis
asked for their designations, and this i S
doubtless correct, but it was not admit ted
by any of the parties to the transaction
Mr.. Jeffords was seen in his office at
the city hall yesterday afternoon, and
asked whether or not he had voluntarily
withdrawn from the office.
What did Mr.. Davis say?'' he asked.
"Mr. Davis merely admitted that you
and Mr.. Armes had resigned, and that
your designations were accepted, to take
effect on the 10TH
And that is what I have to say.
Whatever is given out about the matter
should. OF course, come from the head
of the office.
II may say. also. with propriety, that
the personal and official relations be
tween Mr. Davis and myself are most
pleasant l had served four years, my
term expiring on the first day of the
month. l had ii in mind to resign on
that day, but deferred it,
Mr. JeffordS further stated that he
would now have the opportunity of en-
gaging in practice on other than the lines
followed III prosecuting offenders, and
that he was not at all ayerse to the
change.
1t is known that when Mr.. Davis was
before the Senate for confirmation, after
his nomination to the office by President
Cleveland, that in case he was installed
he should reorganize his office force, and
Mr.. Shillington was then his choice for
one place 1t was learned yesterday, how
ever, that when Mr. Davis was given the
temporary appointment DN Vic lJist'iCt
supreme court, it was with an implied
derstanding, if not expressed, that
there would be no changes made until and
unless he should be regularly re-appointcd
and confirmed 10y the Senate.
Mr.. Davis has since consulted with At
torney General McKenna, and has received
from him the sanction of any changes he
might consider IT proper to make, and act
ing upon such assurance, he asked the two
assistants to retire. He did not so state
himself, but that bit of gossip was current
at the city hall yesterday. 1t was also
stated that Mr.. Davis was given to under
stand by Attorney General McKenna that
he might expect to retain the office for
some months yet.
Mr.. Armes was not In the office yesterday
afternoon, after the news of his retire
ment became public, and there WAS no
opportunity to see him. He has held
the position for number Of years, having
gone into the office during the incumbency
of District Attorney John Blair Hoge,
who was succeeded by Hon. c. c. Cole,
and he was retained while MFR. A. A.
Birney held the commission.
Mr.. Shillington said yesterday afternoon:
81 have not yet accepted the office, but
have the matter under adviseiuent."
1t is an assured fact that Mr. Shillington
will accept the trust, and since he would