New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-11
OBITUARY..
ID LOWELL, SMITH.

d. LOwber Smith. assistant deputy controller.
died at his home, 40. ~ West Elghtythrd-st
Yesterday afternoon after an Illness OF nearly
three weeks. Mr.. Smith had not been wei since
September -. but b" id not regard the symptoms
a.. serious on september - he attended meet
ing OF the Panama Railway directors. hut IT was
I'm. last time he WAS able TO leave his house. Ten
days ago he WAS attacked with typhoid fever. and
the case proved to be one beyond the SKIN OF his
physicians to control.
David Io,yber smith native OF this city.
and WAS about forty-seven years old. He was grad
uatcd from tie New-York Free Academy. now the
College Of the city OF New-YOrk. and became BY
profession q civil engineer. lie was appointed IN
engineer IN the Department Of Public Works. aud
in 1855 he was made Water Purveyor 10y Hubert O.
Thompson. then Commissioner of Public Works.
taking the place Of Daniel OReilly. who had been
elevated t. tho Office OF police justice. Mr. Smith
engaged actively In politics as an anti-Tammany
man. and attracted IN" attention Of Edward Cooper.
Abram :. Hewitt Maurice j. POKER and other
leaders OF that faction OF the Democratic party.
In November. 1884, aner the death OF
Frederick H. IIamln. Mr. Smith succeeded
him as Deputy Commissioner OF Public
Works. by appointment OF Commissioner
Thompson. lie held the place until the quarrel
between Kolln NJ. squire. Hubert o. Thompsons
successor and cx-Commissoner Thompson. Squire
had been made Commissioner Of Public Works
b. Mayor Elaon the last day OF Elson's term.
December q. 1884, The next year Squire removed
Deputy Commissioner Smith ana put William Y.
smith in the Office Of deputy Governor IIill re-
moved Squire In August, lss6. charges preferred
by Mayor Grace and when the latter appointed
General John .;cwton Commissioner OF Public
Works he restored H. Lowbcr Smith to his former
post as Deputy Commissioner.
General Newton resigned November L.. 1853
and on the 18th of that month Mayor Hewitt
commissioned NJ. Smith to M the vacancy. ON
the last day his term. the advice Of COR
Hoe I.. s,taI
second commission to Mr.. Smith. The County
Democracy lawyers held that this act would cS-
tend Mr. Smiths term three four years. Tam
many Hall had then elected Grant Mayor. and the
Tammany lawyers held that Smith could claim
only the uncxpircd term OF Squire and Newton, or
until May |. 1879
on the latter date Mayor Grant appointed
Thomas +. Groy Commissioner OF Public Works
for four years Mr. Smith refused to surrender the
Office and presented MIR Gilroy with opinion
written by James &. Garter. asserting Smiths
right to hold the Office until May l. 1892 Mr.. Gilroy
began mandanus proceedings In the Supreme Court
to ouet Commissioner Smith. After holly con-
tested legal battle Judge Barrett. who heard
the case. decided that smiths term ended May ],
1889. ami he gave up the Office In January, 1890
Controller Meyers made Mr.. Smith Collector OF
Assessments and clerk, of Arrears In the finance
department. He discharged the duties of this
place until January 1891 when he exchanged places.
with the Controllers sanction. with Osborne Mae
daniel who was Assistant Deputy Controller The
salaries Of the two places were the same-Si,%D
Mr. Smith continued in this position until his
death He WAS Of the founders OF the County
Democracy and charter member OF the Now
Amsterdam Club During the ascendancy Of the
County Democracy In this city he was one OF us
trusted councillors. and devoted ndhcrent until
the organization went To pieces. About year ago
he joined Tammany Hall. and n member OF
the rammany Han General Committee in the
NXIIId Assembly District
He leaves q wife and ten children Definite
fragments for the funeral had not been settled
last night. but IL Is probable that 1t will be held
on Friday. The burial viii be in Woodlawn.