New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
MIR. STEELE'S ASSISTANTS.
PROBABLE CHANGES IN THE DISTRICT
ATTORNEYS OFFICE.


TT re Not ruorCEr THAT JOHN F. CLARKE WILL
REMAIN IN Ills rLAcE-A CONFERENCE
WITH MR. MAREAN.
Hiram r. Steele who will be the next District
Attorney Of Kings County, yesterday afternoon
held a long conference with Distrct-Attorney
Marean and Assistant District-Attorney Johh
F. Clarke Judge Asphalt and Arthur Walkiey'
the chief clerk OF the Office under MI Marean'
The result Of the conference was not maze
known by any of the confe~rees. but Irlpuhe
reporter learned from an excellent source that
the following things were settled on:
Assistant District-Attorney John F. Clarke is
not to stay in the Office
Arthur Walkley chief clerk. IS likely to stay
Robert H. Elder may be retained.
The greater part OF the time was given up to
looking over the indictments against the Guy
Works officials. Mr.. Marean explained the SAIL
ont features of the indictments against eX-Com-
whatsoever Willis and ex-Commissioner Philips,
nc u Is understood all around that these are the
weakest of all the indictments. The indictments
AGAINST the former Coroners, Messrs CoomDs ana
Mason. and Messrs Fielding Clarke. Leaycraft,
Cof and the Others will be prosecuted with all
possible vigor as viii also those against Messrs'
willis and Philips But while there seems 10
be strong proof against some Of the men, as ne
fore stated the indictments against wins anu
Philips will provide something lot 1uuse "'
70 think about for weeks to come.
4 number Of hollow pretensions about 'he
place of Assistant District-Attorney Clarke were
dissipated yesterday. His friends nave peen
booming him for place under District-A''orheE
Steele on the ground that his familiarity Win
the affairs OF the office made him almost Huns
pensarle AS a matter Of fact 1t was lea'Heu
yesterday on good authority that MY Clarhe
has not at any time had the faintest IDEA oi pe
tho retained in the office, and close friend OF
Judge Steele told Tribune reporter yesterday
that Mr.. Steele never had the slightest intention
of appointing him first assistant. Judge oleeie Is
fully competent TO try all the important cases
that NAV come to his Office without assistance
from Democratic hodovers, and If any Demo-
Graf is retained in office it will be because or the
mood Of making the greatest possible progress
with the cases that are likely 10 be loaded onto
The District-Attorney's Office before next sum-
mer The work Of the entire year Will neces-
sarily have to be largely done before the close
Of July, and Mr. Steele as the probable cahoi-
date for District-Attorney oext fall, VIII nave
~ make whatever record he is going to make
before July |.
The retention OF Walkley is a subject not yet
fully decided on. The strongest kind Of pres
sure IS being brought TO bear Mr.. Steele TO
keen Mr. Walkley in office, under the next
District-Attorney, on account of his familiarity
with the affairs Of the office. The Republican
organization leaders Will do their utmost 10 Dust
Wakey.
MIR Clarke 1t was alleged last evening. re-
Ceived plain intmation from Willoughby street
that if he wished 10 be considered eligible as
candidate for the strctAttorneyship next fall
by the Democratic organization he must get
out of the District-Attorney' office as soon as
the Republicans take charge. Mr.. Clarke has
taken the advice. and the only speculation now
IS to his successor.
After the conference yesterday Tribune re-
porter tried 10 get statement from Judge
Steele with reference to the personnel of his
staff. The Judge was in company with Judge
Asphalt. Of the County Court, and paused only
long enough TO say:
Il am not prepared to make any statement.
Things are not well enough settled 10 warrant
the making OF any statement at present
When Mr.. Clarke asked If he expected TO
remain in Office he said: You'll have to ask
Mr.. Steele about that"
IL was said Yesterday that Mr. Steele had
decided four of the employees of his office,
that Alexander Van Colt. will be the third AS
sistant Distrct-AttOrney. Frank Angel the
fourth, and Herbert II. Kellogg the fifth. while
George w. MckenZies friends In the Twenty
ninth Ward want him u succeed Arthur II.
Walkley Chief Clerk. He occupied this place
fn the Corporation COunsels office under Mr..
Burr's administration. Messrs Van Colt and
Angel We're assistants in the Corporation Coun-
Sels office.
town tomorrow for ten days vacation