New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-28
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE COMMITTEE SNUBBED.
GOVERNOR FLOWER REFUSES AN AUDI.
ENCE TO THE CITIZENS OF TROY.
HE TRANSMITS HIS DENIAL OF THEIR REQUEST
TO GIVE THE NEY-GENERAL
SOLE CHARGE OF THE PRosECU-

SOLE CHARGE OF THE PROSECU-
TIoN OF ELECTION CRIMES.
FROM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE -psuNRs
Albany March Ex-Governor Flower to-day
showed once more that he was completely under
Senator Murphy's influence by refusing to see
100 prominent citizens of Troy who came to the
Executive Chamber to present to him memorial
asking that he direct Attorney General Hancock
to take charge Of the prosecution Of Bat" Shea,
the Democratic repeater charged with the muir
der of Robert Ross. the petitioners not having
complete confidence in the present prosecuting
attorneys of Rensselaer, County The delegation
included Democrats and Republicans, Roman
Catholics and Professionalism fact, 1t was repre-
sentative of every shade Of respectable senti-
ment in Troy irrespective Of politics or religion
William Ross, brother of Robert Ross, was one
of the delegation.
When the members Of the committee entered
the Executive Chamber, they found no one there
but Colonel r s. williams the Governors pri-
vate secretary. Governor Flower, however was
within earshot of the delegation being. by Colonel
Wilamss own Acknowledgment, in MS prVa'e
room lust off Of the Executive Chamber.
REFUSES TO sPE THE DELEGATION
"The Governor sent word" SAID Colonel Will
Jams "to the Committee Of Public Satety yes'er-
d,v that he would give careful consideration to
NIT TO hr, in writing but that, in order to avoid
anv further misrepresentation, such course
,,.ould ba nreferable to further audiences
Mr. BLACK one Of the counsel OF the elecuoh
prosecutions in Troy said that the committee hao
= memorial which It desired should be read TO the
Governor.
Colonel williams then sought the GoVerho.
and returned with the word that he would ho'
see the delegation Thereupon committee con-
slsting OF D. NJ Greene. the Rev Dr. Iucher'
Walter p Warren and William Ross sent cards
to the Governor, and as private citizens asked an
audience.
COLONEL WILLIAMS THREATENS THE COMMIT iHn>
Colonel Williams returned in moment with
the cards and said Governor Flower positiVeiy
refused to see the gentlemen named. lie theh
added in threatening manner: "Ot COURSE
some Of YOU gentlemen are lawyers, and sup
pose you are aware that you are interrupuns
the business of the Executive Chamber, ana are
liable to indictment for misdemeanor.
This threat excited general indignation, and the
delegation walked out of the Executive Chamber.
Professor Palmer c. Ricketts, of the Troy Poly
technc one of the delegation who is Chiel Oh
Engineers on Governor Flowers staff, at once
sent his resignation to the Governor. All ohe
members OF the delegation denounced the Cover
nor for his action, but it was deemed right 'ha'
the memorial should be filed with the Governor
II reads, in part. as follows;
THE CITIZENS. MEMORIAL. 4e4as
To AIS Excellency, the Governor OF the e'A.e -
New York: The Committee OF Public satety Oh 'ne
city OF Troy request that the Governor pursua-is
to the executive law. as amended FEBRUARY -
1885, require the Atorney-General or TINS state "
take charge Of manage and conduct the prosec-.
ton OF the crimes committed at; in connection ~
and which have grown out OF me rree esf that the
Governor shall not impose upon the Attorney,G,en-
eral the condition hat ian any ycnntv be 81 appointed as
deputy our reasons for this request ar ds ~.
lows: The condition which has long existed nb nfre.
attention by the murder Of Robert ross Spouo far 'U'
The Of affairs now is worse than ocSn Il mas pee OF
recently taken place here. but that is true. II az
abr.o3g6out the city than at former elections; and
even this doubtful sain was aec9mpa%nea M % nIpcs
Koeery r r,oS corrGpt than those preceding it, but
ec,n %as Coercion was resisted There has been
| a time here in ten years tnat nlurosr WCuia hoe
have resulted II repeating had been w'hstood;
Crimes have been committed and unpunish,ea:
| fraud has been rampant ana encouragei repea!ssrs
ti,ne there had been murder, because decency
submitted rather than be shot n BIt Wnen bs sbmi dh
the same fate overlook Robert Ross that would would
| have overtaken any other man in the same situa-
! lion at any time in the last ten years.
| III r,c~rroN CORRUPTION HAD BECOME ROOTED.
Election crimes did spring up on March g. Il
was resistance TO those crimes that had its origin
on that day. Lawlessness. violence and outrage
have long existed here. and assassination follo"ed
the first show OF resistance The difference be-
tween the election OF March and those preceding
is not that the former was worse than its prede-
cessors but only that 1t was embellsned with mur-
The influences that are responsible for 'ee offences
named cannot be relied upon 10 prosecute theni.
The belief is general in the city OF Troy tnat tne
District Attorneys Office Is within that influence:
The occupants Of that office are there by favor or
the power that has made these crimes possible; Inc
District-Attorney could not nave peen erected nor
his assistants appointed without that influence ana
neither could retain his position Tor day WITHOUT
its aid.
! DIsrRI.sr or THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OFFICE.
From these facts springs the universal distrust
of that office. That dstrust is based. not upon ap-
prehenson but experience. The crimes at the No
vember election more numerous than at the
charter election just passed. At least thirty cases
OF repeating the November election were held FOR
the Grand Jury which convened IN fenruary.
In of these as many as ten WlthesscS
swore to the offence committed and every case was
sustained by unmpeached and convincing proof:
No defence was offered for none cogld be oHesso -
before Grand Jury ana yet out OF 'hry eaSe'
! There is a still more serious for distrust Of
the District-Attorney and his assistant on MarSh
Robert Ross ked and his brother william
open. notorious and unchecked. The murderer OF
Robert Ross and the assaant OF his brother VIII
lam were in custody. and scores OF smaller criminals
Of oyer and Tcrmner, with Grand Jury was in
session in Troy. and yet the day after these
crimes were committed the District Attorney an
nounced that there nothing further for the
Grand Jury 10 do and il discharged.
Now. if "A prosecuting officer sees no work for
Grand Jury under such circumstances. the Gov
ernor OF the State should not ask the Attorney
General to approve OF his vigilance or fidelity. Those
repeaters were then Of easy apprehension, but they
may not return here again. even though they should
| be indicted. until another election.
OLD OFFENDERS Go UNPUNTsHED.
These charges against the Dstrct-Attorneys Of
flee are OF recent date and cannot be answered
Other charges should be required; but If they
are IL may be added that there have been In this
county, hanging members of this gang who
shot Robert Ross indictments since 1891; against
Jeremiah Cleary indictment for grand larceny,
filed in 1892: against Bartholomew Shea, Ross MUIR
derer an indictment for assault filed In 1881.
The present DistrictAttorney and his assistant
hayn hean otice than three years but