New-York tribune., 1876-04-07
TIE SURROGATE'S DEATH
HIS LIFE AND HIS SUCCESSOR.

HIS LIFE AND HIS SUCCESSOR
PUBLIC SERVICES OF STEPHEN d. vAN sCHAICk-
HOW THE NEWS OF HIS DEATH WAS RECEIVED
THE QUESTION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
SUCCESSOR.
Stephen ID. Van Schaick, Surrogate of New
York died at Savannah. Ga Wednesday night after
a brief Illness The immediate OF his death was
maarar fever although he had been In declining health
for several months Mr.. Van Schaick was SO years OF
age and had spent the greater part OF his life In this
city, He was member OF one OF the old Knickerbccker
families prominently Identified with the history OF the
city and state He admitted to the Bar OF New
York under tho system OF practice, about 80 years
ago. and attained honorable position IN the profession
although never apred to become distinguished ne an
advocate.
About SIX years ago he appointed chef clerk In
the Office Of Surrogate utchings and the appointment
was generally spoken Of at the time as one Of the best
and most judicous that could have been made.
His thorough mastery OF the details Of the office,
his fai,hfuness in their performance. and his ex-
pcrence in probate practice obtained such general
recognition in the community that ho was urgently
solicited 10 accept nomination for Surrogate
on the Anti-Tammany and Republican tickets In
the Fall Of 1879 and after much urging reluctantly con-
sented He was elected by large majority and entered
upon the duties OF his Office about three months ago.
Worn out by his official duties chief clerk and by his
abors during election he entered upon his duties in de-
cning health, which became still more seriously impaired
By the responsibilities he assumed o left for the South
about three weeks ago. first visiting Charleston for Few
days thence proceeding Savannah where 10 grew rap
idly worse He Joined thereby hs wife, who had been
In Florida His and daughter were also with him IN
his last hours The remaining members Of his family,
and daughter now IN Europe
The remains will reach this city Sunday afternoon
by the steamer General Barnes Of the NewYork AMI
savannah Line. The funeral services will bo held on
ltirfV hat
and Parkaye. The remains will be taken to Albany for
inicrmcnt
MONOgs IN THIS CITY.
The nags were displayed halmast on the City Hall
Yesterday in memory OF the late Surrogate Van schack
Mayor wckham communicated the news Of the death to
tho Board OF Aldermen in the following message:
EXECUTIVE DETACHMENT. NEW YORK, April 6. 1876.
To the Honorable the Board or Aldermen.
GEsrLEMLN; II Is my painful duty TO inform % you OF
the death of the late Surrogate, stephen d. Van sehaek
which occurred last neht nj savannah Georgia. During
long career ns member OF TINS bar, anu IN the SIX
OF his service as Clerk OF the Surogates Court ne
had secured the wedeserved confidence ana egard OF
only Of his associates IN me ps1eso9 pt aso m i 1ne
rogate OF this city aud eounty he entered IN January
best wishes and kndest personal feeling OF all good c
zens-and the many grave interests tnen inrusted 10
MIN Ee Nv. s %t an Se sn e TO 90 Of S m s
lent faithful officer and ho will oe sincerely mouned
by all who ever knew niu recommend that you take
loss WM. H. WIcKuAA Mayor.
Aldermen Purroy Gumbleton, Billings Mccarthy and
Hess we're appointed committee TO prepare resolutions
expressing the OF the Common Council for the
death Of this esteemed county ohcer and 10 make ar
rangcments for the funeral.
the surrogates office. as soon as the news was an
nounccd Charles Minor the chief aud senior clerk,
directed the windows Of the office TO be closed aud
though the office be open for necessary business,
that all other business be suspended meeting Of tho
clerks in that office is 10 be held to-day.
In Superior Court, Special Term, Judge Spier mo-
ton OF W. r. Martin directed minute to be entered
on the clerk. records expressive of regret for Mr. Van
Schacks death.
ChleiJustlco Mcneil. in Superior Court Trial Term,
directed an appropriate minute to be entered
QUESTION OF A SUCCESSOR.
The appointment OF o Surrogate to Ill the vacancy
caused by Mr. Van sehaicks death was the absorbing
subject OF discussion among the local politicians yeser-
day especially the Aldermen and their supporters The
law designating how the vacancy shall be filed may be
found in the laws of 1si7 Chapter 4ss, Section OF
which states that In vacancy shall occur In either
OF said offices ecorder and Snrrogate by DEATH resig
nation or otherwise the Board OF Supervisors OF said
city aud county authorized to l such vacancy until
the general election next ensuing the happening OF such
vacancy whom election shall be had to I'LL the unex
pIred term OF the officer whose term had 80 become va
cantv Under the now charter tho Aldermen slso by
virtue OF their Office the Supervisors OF this county and
consequently have the appointment OF Mr. Van schacks
successor The only persons prominently spohen oi a o
Tan,nnny candidate for the offices OF DisrictAtotney
and surrogate respectively at the recent November cleo
| ton. 80 .-. -, co.,,,ou
Charles p. DAILY OF the Court OF Common
Pleas oficiated as Surrogate yesterday under Caapef
I7o Laws of lS47, which reads: When the once OF
| Surrogate ia any county shall be vacant the County
Iud sall act IA Surrogate until such vacancy sha DC
Smnn,,sJ ChisfJustice DAILY stated to TRIBUNE re-
porter that he gravey regretted Mr. Van a schaicks
aeaL and aside from his natural regret 10 was great
nconyenience by the death of Mr. Van schaick ne ne
csme surrogate until successor Was app9n,ed anu anu
sha Init
hafr Ind 10 do SO several months but nS with the
Increasing duties Of tue Special Term OF the Common
ritv must arise He had taken formal possession OF the
surrogates Office and supposed he must arrange 10 ds
| ,rihnfe his iay between the two duties.
The OCCASION referred by ChistJustSe DAILY was in
aGo on ths death OF Surrogate Edward c. West. Mr
W.t died I'm ONCE July g. 1862, and ChiefJustce Daily
ocaed as Surrogate for several months The Board OF
SmnsrvIsors having exercised the authority OF appoint
en In that case without question, IL Ia conceded that
thew will meet In few days and make tas appointment
| probably ct their next regular meeting