New-York tribune., 1904-10-26
CORNELIUS VAN C0TT DIES.
Continued from first page


ately before his death. which was peaceful. his
son Richard was with him at the end and was
so Frustrated that he was put 20 bed and at
tended by DR.. Richardson. Last night Richard
Van Cott refused TO see any Of the friends who
called at the house.
1Iiss Florence Van Cott Mr.. Van Colts grand
daughter. who had been out with q girl friend
returned to the house in the afternoon. after Mr..
Van Cott died. She became III with grief
that the physician had to turn his attention to
her.
The flag on the Postoflce was placed at half
mast as soon as word Of Mr.. Van Colts death
was sent there. and profound regret was ex-
pressed by the officials there. Edward NJ Nor
gan. the assistant postmaster. sent message
to Washington. announcing the POstmaSter's
death. at the same time taking charge OF the
POstoffice. under the regulations OF the depart
ment- Mr.. Morgan sent information 70 Mr.. Van
Cott's bondsmen. requesting them to meet at the
Postofice at noon to-day and name temporary
successor, pending the appointment OF success
sor by the President. as required by the terms OF
their bond. which is for S5OOOOO The bondsmen
are: Charles +. Naething. No. 1.123 Broadway;
John P. Windolph, No. % West Twenty-third-
ST.; Frank PittelH. No 127 Mulberry-st: Patrick
Skelly, No 81 West Sixteenth-st; John Reisen-
weber. No. sS7 Eighth-ave.. and Bernhard ].
Ludwing. No. / Union Square.
TO ARRANGE FOR THE FUNERAL.
Mr. Morgan will call meeting Of the heads
Of departments in the Postofice to-day to make
arrangements for funeral to conform with the
wishes Of the family. 1t was not possible for
the officials to consult Mr.. Van Colts son last
night
1t was said last night that the death OF Mr.
Van Cott might put end to the proceedings
against his son, which have been carried on
Derore Justice Wyatt. OF the Court OF Special
Sessions. One OF the witnesses against young
Mr.. Van Cott has fed and another has admitted
that the case was hatched in a corner saloon
the Tammany proprietor Of which was an in
stigator of the charge OF colonization. Deputy
Attorney General Collins said last night:
am extremely sorry to learn Of Postmaster
van Colt S death. / shall not proceed with nv
| case against his son for some time now in con-
sequence OF this deplorable blow that has fallen
upon the young man and the rest of the family
On next Friday shall ask Justice Wyatt for
an immediate adjournment and shall not pro-
| ceed further with the case for a reasonable
| time The Van Cott family have nv sincere
| sympathy, and feel deeply for them in their
ahlction and sorrow
When Governor Odeu learned of Postmaster
Van Cotts death he was greatly shocked, and
declared that at the moment the only thing he
| could say was that he had known Mr. Van Colt
for long time. and had always looked on him
as a stanch and true friend
1t was said by some Of the men at Republican
headquarters last night that the President prob
ably would appoint Captain F. Norton Goddard
the Republican leader In the XXth Assembly
District, to I'LL the vacancy created by Mr. Van
Colts death, but some friends OF Captain God
dard said they knew he would not take such an
once IL was declared by others that the Pres
ldent might appoint Mr.. Morgan. the Assistant
Postmaster, to ALI the unexpired term but some
OF Mr. MOrgan's friends said he would not be
as permanent to take an oflce for a limited
term. 1t is probable that Mr.. Morgan will be
named by the bondsmen to I'LL the office Of
postmaster temporarily.
IFRoSE THE TRIBUNE BUREAUI
Washington, Oct 25-Postmaster General
Wynne did not hear Of the death Of Postmaster
Van Cott Of New York. until the department
had closed this afternoon. and was not officially
informed until tonight The Postoffice Depart
n1ent is not required to take immediate action
in filing the vacancy. though the bondsmen of
the late postmaster. who are responsible 10 the
amount Of nearly half a million dollars will
probably meet without delay and select sue
cessor, who under the law. will act until the
vacancy is hlled by Presidential appointment
This successor Will be recognized to perform all
the most important duties OF the postmaster.
especially those involving the postal revenues
and funds. Assistant Postmaster Morgan will
continue for the present in charge Of routine
matters familiar to him. No consideration has
manently filling the vacancy caUse1 by Mr. Van
Colts DEATH 1T having been decided some time
ago that he should complete his term. which ex-
pireS on Dec. IL, 1905.
Cornelius Van Cott was born IN New-Yorx City on
February 12. 1885, and when still a young man he
became identified prominently with the Republt-
can party. No other district leader OF the party
In the city has such a long record as a tireIess
worker for It's interests For thirty years Mr.
Van Cott the Republican leader Of the Vth
Assembly District. During this long term Mr. Van
Cott was delegate to about every national State
and city Republican convention. He was also a
member for more than thirty years Of the county
committees. serving in important capacity
many of the subcommittee
Mr.. Van Cott began life a poor boy He was
first printer but later started to learn the trade
of carriage maker His interest in politics that
time gained him many friends. and through OF
these he became director OF the old lEtna Fire
Insurance Company soon after he attained his
tority Mr.. Van COtt received his first political
appointment before he thirty years old. when
he became a deputy customs inspector under Col
lector Draper, retaining hts position also under
Collector Barney
He was active in the campaign against the no.
torious Tweed ring. and upon the election OF Mayor
Havemeyer. IN 1873, he was made one OF the Board
OF Fire Commissioners serving four years. He
was again appointed Commissioner IN 1881 and
served until 1885 During his service as Commits
sloner he instituted many needed reforms II was
due to his initial efforts that overhead wires were
abolished. and tho streams from the freboats in
creased to two and one-half inches the largest
stream then known. With the assistance OF Com
missioner Purroy. Mr.. Van Cott established Civil
Service IN the Fire Department before It became a
State law. The formation OF the llfesaving corps.
the introduction Of life ladders water towers ana
four-wheeled engine tenders due In part TO
his efforts. He also caused the attendance OF uni