New-York tribune., 1874-02-24
OBITUARY.
HENRY SMITH.

ing rapidly all day. and at O'Clock he fell into COMA
tose state which he never rallied Mrs Smith was
called but TO her sad entroaties for recognition the
dying man made sign beyond rapid and heavy
breathing, which continued untl death ensued
At $50 O'Clock tho last consultation took place, Drs
yanderpoel, Henry Thebaud, satterlee stmsop. ana
Walker being present Thurow Weed was also IN the
room where he had remained most OF the day. The
consultation ended in the decision that mortal skin was
useless. The dying man had taken no nourishment
since n o'clock and all efforts had failed to rouse him
from his state. At lO o'clock his friends VINO
had thronged the halls the hotel since the first hour
Of his uess were invited and surrounded by these
he died
Henry Smith was born October 10, ls2O In
the village of Amsterdam, Montgomery County, n. u
Toe son OF farmer. he began life as driver on the Ere
Canal When quite young he opened shop in the vii
lage of Futonve, where he sold grOceres and canal
stores lie was subsequently employed as an agent OF
the Albany Merchants line of canal boats He did so
well that induced about 1913 or 1884, TO come 10
NewYork as the agent for the Fultonye line OF canal
boats filed this position for several years ana pur
chased an interest in the ue. by his Efforts ne punt up
an extensive forwarding and commission business He
was subsequently connected with Abram Van SaDtVooru
in running n line of tow-boats, and afterward with
Albert Van santvoord the business. Van SAINT
voord aud he built the handsome ChauhceS
Vibbard and Drew and organized day line To Albany
Smith has been for 25 years OF the most active
several past has boon Of the most influential
Republican politicians in the State. He was for many
years extremely popular with the working classes IN
the lower part Of the city, and several occasions
elected his Democratic opponent In strong Dem
ocratic district In 1853 he chosen Councilman from
the Ist District. and reelected two years later,
serving In the Board Of Counclmen during tho years
1884, 1885, 1885, and He defeated for Alderman
in the latter year. but elected two years later,
and served In the Board OF Aldermen until
1863. having been reGleated on the expiration OF
his first term L. 1868 he was chosen
of the Board of Supervisors and later was
again elected. His seat contested by John Foley.
but while the before the courts the Charter OF
passed. aboishng tho Board OF supervisors on
July OF that year In the Winter 0fis1S6S Mr. Smith
chosen by the Legislature to fill the vacancy occa-
stoned by the resignation OF Police Commissioner Thos
G. Acton When the Police Board twas reorganized In
1870 provisions OF the Charter passed by the
Legislature Of that year. Mr. Smith reappointed by
Mayor Hail. and drew the long term. Under the pro-
visions of the present Charter he retained his office with
several other heads of departments. He served two
years as Treasurer OF the Board OF Police In 1870 on
the of the Board Of Police he was chosen
President. Mr.. Smith has also been member OF the
Board Of Health since he entered the Police Board
under the Charter by virtue OF his position ~
President OF the Board of Police
Mr. Smith has been ardent politician ever since he
ries and nominating conventions. The First Ward.
where he best known, and where he resided for Tor
caossn CoanciImOn me whis ticket on two Occs,
a. se" RapuSsaH ua nearly
Wing and Republican State Convention held
and though ssaom aees 'p Probably
influence than ninetenths OF those who attended the
time President Of the Fist Assembly District Repuo
can Association He was also member St tge mm Sen1rai
tees coaesced he one of the Committee selected on
the Republican State Executive Committee to bring
about that result In that year be was made member
OF the state Executive Committee and served until 1872
Wings Banks both Of which failed during the Winter OF
1871, he held responsible for the mismanagement
with the former, where large number OF poor people
in the First Second and Third Wards had deposits The
| Investigation into the encouragement OF the 'bank
showed the funds had been squandered in the most
reckless manner by the officers N stock specuatiqns
in this he was more snned against than snnlug,
that besides losing considerable amount or money
which he invested in the bank he made advances
| after the failure toward paying the depostors
No arrang gements have yet been determined upon
for the disposition OF the body. Mrs Smith has placed
the matter entirely the hands OF Mr. Acker friend
of the family who Will. of course. consult with the
| Police Commissioners relative TO the funeral Ihe
| Board will meet to-day. -,
halls of the hotel during the day TIurlow Weed,
Commissioners Gardner CharicE Duryee' sr,Sd, RussSs,
SHOOK George o. Jones OF Albany, Geo. Starr Commis-
soner Van Mort, Assemblyman BgliD. and Daniel d.
Conover These gentlemen used Room No. 2O opposite
the dying mans apartment, as receptionroom Ihe
questions OF municipal complications which grow out OF
the death of President Smith were very gen
orally discussed by the city .a and State aayt%1a poll
siderable solicrude BY his death. it win readily be
seen lie occurs in the Board OF Police Commissioners,
and the two who constituted what with Presi
dent Smith, termed Ring" and governed the
with a party In the Board strong themselves.
Commissioners Gardner, RUSSELL and Dpryee' being an
Republicans, 1t is thought not Improbable that Mr..
Char,ck may deprived OF his power Some OF those
present were 80 sanguns q; 70 Nr amcabp o
gether for the municipal good without regard Ior
dead4cck S will extend only 70 the time 4 may require
Mayor Havermeyer or the Legislature 10 select new
member but on this point another complication arises
II will be remembered that Henry Smith was retained
office BY the charter o, sS and tbsi question Of
law arose the legality OF retention In sueh terms
being held by shrewd corporation tnat
President OF a body which, equity had the right TO
over by a formal election held by the Police Board at
which Mr. Smith elected President. The question
nominate another man ss President of the Board
Mayor Havemeyor the right to nominate aho'ner Ill"
| Der. -o1,..
London telegram OF yesterday states that Charles
Shirley Brooks tho novelist and dramatic author Is
dead Mr.. Brooks native OF E1giand, ana was
born IN 1875 Preferring literature TO law he retired
from the latter profession, and devoting hmseit 10
dramatic composition, wrote several comedies and
dramas which with success. and thus decided MS
subsequent career. He wrote the parliamentary sum
mary OF The London Morning Chronicle for several
years and acted correspondent OF that Journal IN
Russia SYRIA and Egypt describing the condition OF the
laborng population In these countries Mr. Brooks was
the OF several novels the best known being As
pen Court '"The Gordian Knot" "The Silver Cord, and
Sooner Later" Since the death OF Mark Lemon
Mr. Brooks had been editor o. Punch and also wrote
| regularly for The Illustrated London News
|
I PERSONAL