New-York tribune., 1900-12-24
PHILBLN WILL BE MODERA TIE.
DOES NOT MEAN TO REMOVE ANY ONE
WHO is COMPETENT AND HONEST.

Eugene A PhiIbin. who has been appointed by
Governor Roosevelt 10 succeed Asa BIRD Garol-
ner as District Attorney. was seen at his home.
No 333 West seventy-seventh-st.. last night. He
said that he would resign at once from the State
Board of Charities and would take charge Of the
District Attorneys Office soon as he received
the official notification of his appointment, which
he thought would reach him some time to-day.
II such Is the case he will take charge OF the
Office on Wednesday morning.
Asked IL he knew beforehand that he would be
chosen as Mr.. Gardeners successor. Mr. Philbin
said:
No. I had made no effort to get the appoint
ment end Il was entirely unexpected. did nave
reason TO expect that I should be appointed as
the successor of Justice Beekman. So far as
know. the appointment was made on the Gov
ernor's own motion, and not through any innu-
ence that might have been brought 10 pear upon
him by my friends To the best of my knowledge
the appointment IS satisfactory to the hepuDh-
can organization.
Mr. PhiIbin said that he heard Of his appoint
ment on Saturday evening at the Manhattan
Club about an hour before the news was brought
20 him by the reporters.
GOES INTO OFFICE UNPLEDGED
Speaking Of his attitude on matters Of current
interest, ne said:
I shall not make clean sweep Of the District
Attorneys Office. as reported I shall remove no
man VINO rs Is % dPo bs So v t te have not been
asked 70 give any pledges as TO the patronage
Of the Office, and nothing has been said to me
with regard to removals. 1 am free to use my
own Judgment in this matter and I shall GER
tainly remove no man who is capable and honest
have no fixed policy as to the excise VIOLATIONS
or as 10 the subjects which will occupy the
attention Of the Committee of Fifteen. shall
deal with each case according TO its merits and
according TO the laws which are applicable to II.
he In of the 10 the ef
feet that I am opposed to the liquor business is
without foundation. l appreciate the fact that
the liquor business is authorized by law. 1t will
be my aim TO be always accessible to the public
in the fullest sense OF the word. 1t will not be
necessary for any citizen believing himself to be
entitled to the services Of the District Attorneys
Office 10 procure political or other influence be-
fore seeking 10 avail himself of those services.
Speaking of Mr. Gardeners removal, Mr.. Phil
bin said:
I cannot say anything as to the justice or the
injustice Of his removal, for am not familiar
with the details leading up TO the Governors
action
Later in the evening Mr.. Philbin gave out the
following official statement through his law
partner, S. stanwood Menken:
Having learned only yesterday of my appoint
ment, I have, of course, had opportunity to
plan my course as District Attorney. shall
qualify as soon my resignation as Comn1is-
sioner of Charities is accepted and my appoint
rnent rendered valid. I appreciate fully the seri-
Gus responsibilities or the Work oerore me, ana
] viii give most earnest consideration to the
question Of how best 10 perform the duties Of
my ofhce. Until I have had sufficient time 10
acquaint myself familiarly with present condi-
tions, il will be impossible for to formulate
any definite programme.
go into Office absolutely unpledged. and my
object win be TO conduct it with an eye single
TO the efficiency Of the service and to exercise
the appointive power, far as it shall be nee
essary TO exercise that power. upon the same
principles that have regulated my employment
Of clerks and counsel in my private practice.
LIKES MINTYRE's ATTITUDE
When Mr.. Menken was informed of Mr.. McIn-
tyres attitude with regard to the resignation
Of the staff he said he thought that Mr.. McIn-
tyre was right in his view Of the matter, and he
was more than glad to hear that Mr.. Mcintyre
viewed the matter in that light, and this attitude
would be much appreciated by Mr.. Philbn
He repeated that Mr. PhiIbin would not re-
move any one who was competent and dis
charged his duties honestly that Mr.. Philbn
had not yet given the matter OF removals or
appointments any consideration except in the
selection Of private secretary. He would ap-
point as private secretary Mr. stockridge who
was private secretary to Justice Beekman.
Mr.. Philbin had been besieged by Office seekers
all day. Some OF them had come in their own
behalf and others in the interest of friends but
no promises had been made TO any one. One
man had called 10 see Mr.. Menl1en during the
cay 70 solicit his aid in securing an appoint
ment for himself. When he had been told that
the recommendation Of his district leader and
other politicians would have no weight with Mr..
Philbin in making his appointments he could
hardly credit it, Mr.. Menken had told him to
submit the briefs Of cases which he had tried
ana then 70 get recommendations from promi-
nent and reliable men, not necessarily politi-
clans as TO his moral character and that would
be all that would be necessary.
Mr.. Menken said that Mr.. Phbn accepted
the ONCE at great personal sacrifice. and that
ne could not afford TO retain IL under any cir
surnstances for more than year or two
MOSS GIVES PHILBIN a HINT