New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-27
SHERIFF FLACK RESIGNS.
HIS LETTER IN THE HANDS OF GOVERNOR
HILL.
PROTESTING THAT HE Is INNOCENT AND ACCUs
ING TIE NEWSPAPERS OF PROSECUTING
HIM-sPECULATION IN REGARD TO
IT'S SUCCESSOR.

Of the County Of Ncw-lor. His resignation
was written out and sent to Governor Hill at
Albany yesterday
Rumors that the Sheriff was about to take
this step without waiting for the Governor 10
remove him, under the summons issued from the
Executive Mansion on Monday. were in circula-
tion during most Of the day. but neither Mr.
Flack nor his friends would admit that the report
was true. The Sheriff himself refused to see
callers. and those nearest 10 him generally denied
that he had any thought of rosgning
at present. claiming that the Governor had no
power to remove him. he had been convicted
only of a misdcmcanor, and expressing the hope
;hat the Court on Friday would grant him new
trial. when the Governors demand on
him 70 show cause why he should
not he removed. would. it was believed.
be withdrawn These sentiments seemed 10
he shared by most of the Tammany leaders. some
of whom asserted that Flack not such IA
fool as 10 throw up his Office as long rs any hope
Of his being able 10 retain il remained The
rumors grew stronger, however, in spite Of de-
na.s and discrcdiiing statements, and by / o'clock
last night the resignation began 10 he regarded
as an accepted fact at most OF the uptown clubs
and hotels.
After long search eX-,Iudgc Horace Russell
Mr. Flack's counsel. who believed 10 be the
only man absolutely intrusicd with the secret,
was found by Tribune reporter at the Union
League club. Mr.. Russell fought shy of the
question asked him. and refused al first TO make
any positive statement on the subject. But he
finally said The information of the Sherins
resignation ought not 10 come from me. IL
would hc breach Of etiquette on my part TO
make ii public. The Governor is the proper
person 10 say if il is true or not Your best plan
la. n bav cor nj. \ .cc
Governor Hill
Mr. Eu>sclls reluctant admissions left
no reasonable doubt that Mr. Flacl had
resigned. and besides. prominent party
leaders whose declarations could be safely relied
upon asserted That they had positive information
that the resignation had been sent.
II was not until midnight that the news from
Albany reached Tins city positively confirming
Mr. Ens,clls wary disclosures. and asserting that
the written resignation Of Sheriff Flack in
ihc hands OF Governor Hill.
What caused Nj Thck's change Of attitude
from his decision Of Iuc>iay. after lie and his
counsel had time 10 consider tie probable results
Of his hearing before Governor Hill. fixed for
April /. caused no little speculation II had been
given oui auihoritafiv,iy that the Sheriff would
make sfron- rmousirancc against his removal,
bringing To- bear all the influence IN his power.
WIS about 10 - 10 Albany to pave the way
Friends Of Nr. Fiack said that tie sudden change
of front came from the Shcrin himself one who
has iccn on terms Of intimacy with him said:
Tie fact is. Fac< has been wcarcd oul ard is
almost broken down by tie lon- run Of misfortune
which has followed him ever since his secret
divorce WIS made public Ills health Is well nlsh
destroyed by tie long strain and IN spite of his
plGrky c0 ,ris to SHOW an mistaken
front. ~ j., rapidly giving way under
the accumulation Of trouble. The death
# h, counsel. Mcneil. WAS severe
hlow 10 Tlack. and. just when It began 10 look
as # the popular feeling against him was dying
OUT the disclosures of corruption IN his Office and
the Indictment Of his suboIdinaics revived public
indignation. In tie midst of all this his trial
came ON. and hc with his only son and his friend
Mcrks. WI, convicted. All this was surely enough
To- make any man weaken. Then, suppose that
hr thought that II hc gave mp his Office hc wonld
cease 10 he 50 much Of a target for the short
counues Of tie entire tribe of lammany. am
told that he came to the decision himself on Tues
day ni.hi. and have no doubt the reflection that
the Office of Sncin viii Joe worth much less money
to ITS occupant in the immediate future had some
thing - do with his final purpose 10 resign ana
let rid of the official harden.
Tie Shcrn 5 lcttcr To- the Governor is Is follows
>hcrln's once. County Court llou.c
CITY and County Of Sew YORK.
Ncw- York. March rs. 1870.
70 II, Tseelle"'y' David b. Ill., '"'''"'' Albany
Dear r.r hereby reign the Office Of sheriff Of the
have been convicted by a court and jury 4 the
crime Of ,ou-pincy and. while -ill protest ihai
i,,r committed mo- crime against any human hc
", 49, ..,iu-t the state and ihat have
lccn most iuhumanly and 'ru'lli prosecuted 10y ',h
,,l.
~ m ,,e "ub.r Of lt.clf OF hy Executive action.
/ nevertheless recognize that person convicted Of
criminal o,-,ncc. matter how innocent %" may De-
l,Id nui,lIr Office I Therefore resign mine. In tho
belief that shall yet be- vlndi'ai'd IN the courts ara
that the time viii come when my irlo" 'i,nrn' ,a VIII
made. / have been guilty Of no crime
Immediately appointed. TO the end that may at once
urn '''' '''' WV JANE, \. FLACK.
The principal question now will be who will
he appointed by the Governor 10 fill the vacancy.
Without the opportunity 20 make excessive fees
and extra compcnsatiOn. H. Will not prove the
attractive place 1t has been for many years,
hnt there will still bc an opportunity for large
pccnniarv rewards. No political assessment for
either faction of the Democracy nerd be providcd
for, as the apponiee cannot under
the provisions of the Constitution be
candidate for reelection. BESIDES the
candidates named in The Tribune yesterday. John
Reilly. +. L. Ridgway. John B. SaNton. Richard
NJ Lewis and Edward Kcarncy. all Of whom are
within the fold of Tammany Hall. it is sail that
The County Democracy will present candidates.
and Charles w Dayton d. Lowbcr Smith James
Daly and ex-senator Michael {. Murphy have
been mentioned as we'll rs cN-Sherin Peter Bowc.
sIIEEIIANs MISSION TO THIS CITY
Albany March 26 (spccall.- Governor llill received
at 10 O'Clock night the resignation Of sheriff fdck.
of New York The sheriff sends brief letter regard
ing his resignation Governor lill said tonight:
have not yet considered in any manner the question
nf the appointmcnt Of successor to Sheriff Flack.'
A,,cmblyman shcehan was in New York saturday