The New York herald., 1874-02-24


Police Conn tssfoner Henry Smith
Henry Smith, the President OF the Police Conn.
MISSION died last night. at half past ten O'Clock at
the metropolitan HOTEL For several days he has
oeen anected with rheumatism OF the heart and
though he has had the advantage OF the best med-
cal skill. his recovery thought quite Improbable
on Saturday, and his death has been hourly lootea
for He was one OF the most prominent and snc
mission, was one OF the most prominent and sue.
cessful politicians OF the state. He was indeed as
well known in the northern portion Of New York
as he was here. He was born In the middle por.
tion Of the State some dftytwo years ago of poor
parentage. What calling his father followed does
not appear, but as soon as "Hankn was Old enough
to walk ne was put on board canal boat
on the Mohawk section OF the Erie
Canal In time he became q driver, and
during his childhood and youth his days were
passed on the towpath, IN company with as de-
moralized q set Of men as disgrace the State In
winter, when the canals being nozen over. work
was at standstih, Hank Smith managed to pick
up mere and there smattering OF reading and
writing and arithmetic, just enough OF either to
carry him through life, but,n not enough OF any one
to do more. At the age OF twenty-one he was an
uneducated, rough, uncOuth thickset youth,
fun OF nre and energy and always ready
10 take his own part against any Of
tnVoS WuO Cidbucu WIFI MIN III Lne constant DrOlS
which are the only excitement OF a canal mans
lie. In this path Hank Smith spent many years,
and what finally brought him to the notice Of the
managers OF the line OF boats for which he worked
Is subject envelOped IN mystery. Certain it Is
that some twenty three years ago he turned up in
New York city as an agent for the Fuitonviiie line
OF canal boats and that moment he be-
came known here as the "Poor Boy OF the Mo-
hawk"-a cognomen which has chung to him
ever since with pertlnacity which only such
familiar names ever attain to. In business
matters Hank Smith, at a time when the canal
business was matter OF great competition and
rivalry, rapidly became known for his exhaustless
energy. This quality was the secret OF his whole
success in after lie. Always pushing forward his
own interest, IN spite OF all the poin Is against him.
he soon attained prominence in the First ward
he lived on and did business at the Of Broad
and South streets-which induced him to run
Tor councilman. This was In 1857. He kept this
position one year, and IN 1858 was elected Alder
man on the republican ticket. ABOUT this time
Weed the most powerful man in the State, and to
Whom Hank Smith owed many Of the positions he
elected to the Adermanic chair, and in 1862 in
triangular light was defeated Tor the same ONCE
by one OF ms opponents retiring on the day OF
election IN favor Of the other He said that day
that had he known what was TO take
place he could have been elected for $1,000 The
next ONCE he ran Tor was that OF supervisor, at
the time an elective one. Having received the
second largest number OF votes he was appointed,
according to law. When the term OF his oliice ex
pired be again ran and was appointed again IN
the same manner. Tnis time. however,
his possession OF the position was contested
M ter rest rest until until the the spring Of Of 1870, When ta
Foley gained the point he had been WORKING
only retained the office some thirty days, however,
when the old Board OF Supervisors being abol-
shed by the Frear charter, ne was deposed. Un-
der this cnarter Hank Smith, being thought q re.
publican, one OF those who had been most instru-
mental in passing it, was appointed Police Com
missioner. and from that time he became known
as a Tammany republican, giving all the
he rea IN his stS to
enemies iOr the course he took at this time, being
an intimate ally Of Tweed and SO much connected
with the Ring operations that he even held the pO-
sition OF vice president OF the Americus CLUB,
known by Its associations with the Iammany Ring,
ing the reign OF the Ring Hank Smith remained one
OF fweed's closest allies, and at the time OF the
fall Of that oigarchy he was not unaffected by its
disasters. The bank Of which he was president
the Bowling Green-iailed; result believed TO
have been caused by the political change. For
savings bank. it was the worst failure that has
taken place, and unto the present time has only
paid thirty-fye per cent to the depostors. 1t was
sibe for the downfall OF the bank, be-
cause he had not given it the attention
he should have done AT the same time
another bank of which Smith was o director went
under. II is said by those who ought to know
that Smith himself lost much OF his fortune OF this
perlou Vi MS iue III splte HeWcVeI, VI Tue uisds-
ters to which the Ring magnates fell heir. Henry
Smith retained his position as Police commissioner
until 1873, when a republican Legislature voting
new charter, made an express provision retaining
Hank Smith IN his position as President OF the
Board OF Police Commissioners. This position he
held when he was overtaken by death.
Henry Smith leaves wife put no children, and
an ample fortune divided In dock property IN THIS
city, steamboat company stocks and very fine
estate in Amsterdam In this State.
Charles Shirley Brooks.
A telegram IRON London, under date of yester.
day. 23d inst, reports as asfoliows:-"Charles Shirley
Brooks the celebrated English novelist and dra-
matte author. is dead.n
Mr.. Brooks was in Ihe fity-eghth year OF his age.
uo vao horn in rho war 1918 HAVING roceived a