New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-19
THE CHARGES AGAINST THE SHERIFF.
FORMAL APPLICATION FOR HIS REMOvAL-A sCIr
TO RECOVER $4,000.
by TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIRUV

IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNCI
ALBANY, March 1S.-Mr Roosevelt appeared be.
fore Governor Cleveland to-day and requested the
removal of Sheriff Davidson, of New-l6rk, on the
testimony taken by the special committee Of the
Assembly that has recently been investigating the
New-Yorl departments. Charles p. Miller counsel
of the committee, accompanied Mr.. Roosevelt.
The two men in an informal manner
gave summary of che testimony taken
in regard to the Sherf's manner of
conducting his office. The abuses IN Ludlow Street
Jail were especially described in detail the poor
ness of the food given to prisoners the favortism
and the extortlon of keepers. Many matters were
referred TO which were described in detail in tho
committees S report to the Assembly last Friday.
Mr. Roosevelt also called the Governors atten-
tion to that portion of the committees report in
which they relate Sheriff Davidson's retention of
$4, 800 to which he was not entitled for the
alleged transportation of 200 prisoners,
who it was proved were not transported.
Mr. Roosevelt stated that at first Sheriff
Davidson stated that these prisoners were
carried by the Department of Charities and Cor
rection, but had retracted the statement when the
Department of Charities and Correction proved
that they had not done 1t. The Sheriff, he stated,
still retained the $4, 800 The Governor said that
he had already requested George 7. Andrews, the
counsel to the Corporation of NewIOrk, 10 in
form him what, if any, proceedings had been III
stituted by him to recover money which may have
been unawfully collected or withheld from the
County Of New-York by any of the present or for
mer officers of that city.
LETTER FROM THE CORPORATION COUNSEL.
The Governor then gave to Mr.. Roosevelt aud Mr..
Miller the answer of Mr. Andrews TO his letter. Mr..
Andrews's letter is dated February % and has not
yet been published. In il he states the well known
fact that he has already begun an action against
County Clerk Keenan, Ito recover the amount OF
fees retained by him during the year 1858 amount
ing TO $l3 726 92, with interest thereon IRON the
date when II is claimed the sums received by the
County Clerk should have been paid over TO
the city" 1t was the Assembly Committee that
discovered this Illegal cqnectloh OF b inn9s oy i
statement regarding Sheriff Davldsons acceptance
of 81 900 alleged not to be his due:
the examination Of Alexander V. Davidson the present
Sheriff before the same committee OF me assembly mat
question has been raised TO his right TO collect from
the city certain fees, which is admitted have
been paid to him out OF the city treasury. The
counsel OF the committee, rs l understand, claim
that the sheriff had no right whatever 20
receive such fees while the shern and MS counsel insist
been requested by any one to bring any acton against
received letter from the present Sheriff proposing that
case should be- made and submitted TO the General
as to his right 70 make such charges, aud on
February II received further letter from the
confer IN regard TO the manner OF commencing suit
against him. one OF the sher's friends subsequently,
called upon IN reference 10 the matter and stated
TO him that 1 should be willing 10 agree upon
for the General Term, but that l Thought
from the reports IN the ne spapers u would be difficult
for the Sherns counsel and myself 10 agree upon the
facts IL is not agreed upon snail II requested
by the Controller through department the moneys
In question have peen paid out, commence an action
against sheriff Davidson and some OF his IN
Office any moneys alleged to have been Illegally
received by them.
REMARKS OF THE GOVERNOR.
MIR. Miller called the Governors attention 10 Nj