New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-07
OLCOTT MUST DECIDE IT.
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OFFICE AND
THE CIVIL SERVICE

ArToRNEY-GENERAL HANCOCK THINKS THE DIS
TRIcT-ATToRNEY IS LEFT TO SAY WHICH
OF HIS sUBoRDINATEs SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION.
Albany, JAM 6.-Attorney- General Hancock to-
day made public his opinion. written at the request
Of District-Attorney Ocott OF New-York ask
Ing whether the employees in the Dstrict-Attor-
ney's office below the Assistant District-Attorneys
come within the Civil Service regulations. The
orney-General says that District-Attorneys Of
fees subject to neither State nor city CIVIL Ser
vice regulations at present. and that 1t Is left TO
District Attorney Olcott TO establish a classified
ton and Civil Service rules for his office. This de-
csion practically allows Mr. Ocott to make such
appointments as he desires. and Is OF much impor-
lance politically. when it is remembered that the
New-York District-Attorneys Office spends $4,000
annually In salaries alone. In his opinion. Attor-
ney-General Hancock says:
AS far the deputies and assistants In the Of
flee concerned. the reasoning OF Smith in Peo-
pie agt. Taylor 10 n. Y. Supp 32l. would appear to
be a reasonable construction In law. He says:
docs the office OF Assistant District-Attorney
come within the Civil Service provisions Of the Con-
stitution as interpreted in People agt. Roberts? Is
IL practicable ascertain the merit and fitness OF
the Assistant DistricAttorney by Civil Service ex-
animation? think not The District-Attorney is
charged with grave responsibility and duties OF the
highest moment Of the county. His assistants. FOR
whom he Is responsible. occupy the most confiden-
tial relations to him. and necessarily are charged
with duties of the utmost Importance. think
that the public welfare demands that the District
Attorney In the selection Of his assistants sh' I'd
be left absolutely free in the exercise OF his I'm
judgment and discretion. II. as the Court OF APP
peals Intimates in the cited. In the absence OF
statutory regulations the Civil Service provisions
OF the Constitution are sef-executng. 40 not
think that any fair construction or these provisions
would include the office In question. nos,.
with reference to the other subordinate posi-
lions. 1t would appear that inc appoln.me,hsss
such merit and fitness are to be ascertained by ex-
aminations as far as practicable ana that tnese
ticabe IT. taking into consideration the peculiar.
important and confidential relations existing De
competitive examnato is not feasible. you would
he freed from that particular provision OF the law
The practical operation Of the Civil Service section
OF the Constitution as far as It affects your par
tcular Office In the present comditon OF aha'rS APP
pears to be left with yourself
appolntment Of five Republican lawyers OF the city
as members Of his staff Of assistants. The men APP
pointed are the following
Hal Bell Deputy Assistant Distrct-Attorney
with salary of 5000 year, recently attached
himself to the regular Republican organization In
the XXTXth Assembly District. He has law
Office at No. l2O Broadway. Among the men rec
ommendng him for the office Joseph H. Choate.
State Senator Pavey. General Arson G. McCook
Elhu Root and william Brookfeld.
Michael J. Mccain. Deputy Assistant District
Attorney with a salary OF $1,000 Is an organization
Republican of the XXV.h Assembly District. and
has a law office at No. 1872 Nassau-st He Will take
office on February /. Among the men recommend
ing him are Archbishop Corrigan, Father Ducey.
Father Cotton and the Rev. A. r. Doyle. who Is
Editor of THE Catholic World"
Charles w. Earring Deputy Assistant District-At-
| No 20 Nassau-st He formerly was law partner
Of State Senator Pavey He takes the place of II.
s Davis who resigned "A week ago 10 become a law
mariner OF Abraham Gruber
D. Frank Lloyd. Deputy Assistant District At
| torney with a salary of 5000, has been member
| OF the law firm of Lloyd e. Ingersol. at No. 10
broadway He takes the place formerly held by
Alfred Iauterbach who was promoted TO the office
~ Assistant District-Attorney. ..
| LLOYD Carpenter Griscom, Deputy Assistant Dis
trict-Attorney with salary OF 1900. is son or
fhe president OF the International Navigation Com
many and was recommended for appointment by ex-
| He recently was admitted to the bar. Formerly
no was I'm the office OF Ambassador Bayard, In
| London II was reported yesterday that he would
take the place of r. J. McManus until June |. and
then he promoted to the place now held by George
Gordon Battle.
District Attorney Olcott yesterday received the
opinon from Attorney General Hancock in reply
| 10 his request for advice as to appointing clerks
and messengers without Civil Service examinations.
but he said he probably would not make any
| changes among the attendants in the office until
| the Legislature had taken action upon request
which he intended to make.