Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-27

The RECORD OF AN HoSEsr NEW YORK OFT
cIAL - In the quiet retirement Of private life,
after protrsctcd and honorable career in the
public service, there resides in New York ven
cradle man, four tcore yesrs Of age, whose name
has been favorsbly familiar to several genera
tions. His name is Azlriah c. Flagg. He was
born in orwell, Vt, November %, 1890. At
the esrly age Of eleven years he began to learn
the art Of rypc-setting in Burlington. In loOe,
and for nearly three years. he was journey
man printer on the Burlington Sentinel In
October, ISL, before he had attained his ms
jority, be went to Plattsburgh, n, Y, and edited
the Republican. He wss engaged as yolun-
teer IN the defence Of that town when it was at
tackled and burned by the British forces, and
lost his presses and types in the FIRE. In lo25
ne was elected to the Legislature, and was re-
elected the following year, sni wss prominentn
repeating the " freehold qualification, tthst no
man without owning IN his own or VIE :
name property taxable TO the amount OF Sow
eould vote fer governor, lieutenant governor or
T. 81 I
ofice). the Legislature appointed Mr. Fagg
secretary Of state. lie was also, er oticio, gu
.perintedent Of common schools, and commits
sioner Of the canal fund and canal board. After
serving seven years in that capacity, in 1888 he
was elected by the Legislature controller of TIE
state. and continued in that Office for five conse
cutive years. He was succeeded by the oqposl-
ton p Rod Of six years interviewed. 10
| 1872 he was reelected controller, sld served fol
SIX wears Upon his accession 10 Office again, be
/ found the finances Of the state IN dep.orahi'
| condition Il was found necessary 10 retrench
| and work on the canals snd other public places
WAS suspended, about 10000 latorers thus being
thrown out Of employment At that time h'
was chairman Of the state central committee
and as such prepared the books fox the county
central committees, etc, comprising oi counties
/ 700 towns and 600l names The financial EN-
barrsssment. the dissatisfaction Of the working
classes snd general ditcouteut presented Al
ominious foreboding 10 the party. Promlnen
politicians besought Mr.. Flsgg 20 prepare re-
port, with figures TO indicate an early resump
lion of labor aud payment. This, they argued
was the only hope 10 save the party. lie utter
" refused, as fscts proved the impossbiIty o
resumption within two or three years. ' VII
not save the party by any missiatemenis or evs
] sion Of the truth, he declared Az lle eA p.iA
ton Of this term Of office be was sppointe
treasurer Of the Hudson River Railroad. Ate
p years Of public service Al Abany, he remov
ed his residence TO New York 10 ISIS. He be
came president Of the Hudson River railroa.
company, treasurer Of the Chicago ami li0cS Is
hand railroads, and trustee o. several other rail
rosds In 1852 the ta1es Of this city had in
creased to 50 100000. sum 81 which the PEG
ple became alarmed. Leading citizens agitste.
the matter, ami a public meeting was held 10 IN
stitute measures OF reform. Mr.. James Door
man, then president Of the Hudson River rail
road, introduced a resolution reclmmentiu.
Azarish c. Flag as the only person who oou.
set the dersnged city finances in order lie vs.
nominated, and in November, 1852, elected con
trol.er, by 600o majority He served until th
close OF ls5, Ia November of that year hl
eyesieh, failed. ard since then BE has been PER
fectly blind By su honest. prudent aat eco
uomical course Of living be has saved com
Portable proyition for BIS declining years, which
he evidently enjoys with gooi conscience and
vivid and pleasant memory -.\si- ior. Times