New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-13
DUE TO LAWLESS POLITICS.
INSIDE HISTORY OF WARDEN SAGES
REMOVAL.
AN EFFICIENT PRISON OFFICIAL RETIRED
IN ORDER TO PAY ONE OF Ex-GOv-
ERNoR BLACKS POLITICAL DEBTS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuSE.l

ERNOR BLACKS POLITICAL DEBTS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUSEl
Albany April ~ (SpeciaD.-Cornelius V. Collins.
superintendent Of State Prisons. announced to-day
that Warden Sage OF Sing Sing Prison submitted
his resignation to him on December 30 last. to take
effect May l. 1899: that he had accepted H. and
that Addison Johnson. ex-Sherin of westchester
County. who had been recommended by ex-Con-
gresham william L. Ward. would be appointed to
the vacant place. An apparently faithful and
highly efficient official will thus be lost 10 the
vice OF the State. Mr.. Sage has been Warden OF
Sing Sing Prison since December L. 1894. and so far
the public knows. has always managed its affairs
in admirable manner.
Politics. and politics alone. is believed to be the
cause Of his removal. although Chapter ss2 OF the
Laws OF 1889 says mo appointment shall be made
in any OF the State prisons OF this State on the
grounds OF political partisa nship: but honesty.
capacity and adaptation shall constitute the rule
for appointments, and any violation OF this rule
shall be sufficient for the removal from office
OF the officer committing such violation" Super
intendent Collins this afternoon. however. pointed
to the following provision Of the same law: THE
superintendent of State Prisons shall appoint the
agent and warden. physician and chaplain OF each
of the said prisons (Sng Sing, Auburn and Chn-
tom provided in the Constitution. and he may
remove them from office whenever in his Judgment
the public interests shall so require"
Superintendent Collins thus has the clear power
al any time to remove any OF the wardens OF the
prisons. II "the public interests shall so require.
He has permitted Mr.. Sage. however. to remain In
office for over year after his own appointment
II does not seem that there were urgent reasons
why the public interests" required Mr.. sages re-
moval
Superintendent Collins lntimated to-day that In
December he made IL clear TO Warden Sage that
his place desired. and Mr.. Sage theq requested
10 be retained four months longer. until his home
in Catsklll should be ready for use. This request
was granted. The following letters were then
written:
Sing Sing. December 20. 1898.
Dear Mr.. Collins: For reasons which have been
ton Of the office of Agent and Warden Of this
prison. to take effect May l. 1899 While doing so
beg to express my appreciation OF the kindness and
courtesy shown me during our connection. With
s'"'e'' 'e'p'0'' '"' ''''' o y SAGE.
Hon. c. V. Collins. Superintendent OF State Pris
ons. Albany, y. Y.
Albany, December 81. 1898.
o. V. Sage, Esq. Agent and Warden. Sing sing.N Y
tanning your resignation Warden Of Sing Sing
Prison. to take effect May l. 1899. just received
] accept the same. to take effect that date. and
in doing kindly permit me TO express TO you my
personal regard and appreciation for the many
courtesies you have extended to me since as
sumed the Office OF Superintendent Yours very
truly. c. Y. COLLINS, superintendent
Ex-Congressman Ward. Mr.. Johnsons hacker.
strongly supported Governor Black for renomina-
ton and Superintendent Collins appointed by
Governor Black. Politicians. therefore. are dis
posed to think that Mr. Johnsons appointment IL
the payment by Mr. Collins OF debt or Mr.. BLACK