New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-12
WARDEN CLANCY
TO QUIT JUNE |
Determines to Give up
Battle with Politicians to
Control Prison.
TWICE BEFORE HE
SOUGHT TO RESIGN
Superintendent Riley Disappolnt.
ed-TWO Men Mentioned for
Sing Sing Post.

James NJ. Clancy. In an exclusive inter-
view with a reporter for The Tribune
last night, announced that he would resign
as warden OF Sing Sing Prison on June L
Tammany Hall, which protested against
Clancys appointment on June 3, 1913, has
been trying. It is said. TO get him out
since he succeeded John J. Kennedy, who
was indicted by the Westchester County
Grand Jury as the result OF probe OF
conditions In Sing Sing Instituted by
Governor Sulzer and carried out by James
w. Osborne.
Every trick known to big political
organization has been used by Clancy
enemies TO force him out. Twice, when
conditions seemed intolerable. no sent MS
resignation TO John Il. Riley. Superin-
tendent OF Prisons. The first time was
last October. The second resignation was
filed with the Superintendent OF Prisons
about two months ago.
Urged by Riley and men prominent In
prison reform work IT. the state. Clancy
reconsidered his intention TO resign on
each occasion.
Clancy, however. is determined TO get
out June /, and so told Mr.. Riley, who
left Albany Saturday to urge Clancy to
remain. The Superintendent of Prisons
spent all OF Sunday with the warden try
ing to prevail upon him to stick IL out,
but Clancy was obdurate and told him
that conditions were such that he would
not stay in office longer than Juno l.
Mr.. Riley. who has sympathized with
Warden Clancy's efforts TO reform Sing
Sing was disappointed
The fight against Clancy began when he
told one member OF VI. J. Walsh's organi-
zation in Westchester County. popularity
known as the Westchester wing OF Tam
many Hall. that he could not have any
hand in shaping the policy of the prison.
This alleged attempt to coerce CLANCY
into turning over the prison to Tammany
Hall was made within ono month after
he took Office. It is said that the repre-
sentative OF the Westchester wing Of
Tammany Hall went into Warden Clan
cy's office and said:
II think I should have a hand In shap-
ing the policies of the prison"
Clancy replied: Not while I am war
dem"
To show Tammany Hall that he was
in earnest, Clancy then wiped out the
traffic In cocaine in the prison. which. It
was said. was netting some keepers $50
profit weekly. AS a result Of his anti
cocaine crusade Clancy removed five
keepers. He obstinately refused TO heed
the pleas OF Westchester Tammany poll
ticians TO take back the men.
Another offence was his refusal to per-
NIT a friend OF State Senator McClelland.
a member Of Tammany Hall. to call on
ex-senator Stephen Stilwell, who was
convicted OF grating IN the Legislature
and sentenced TO Sing Sing.
Another fault found with Clancy was
his wiping out OF the various forms OF
graft in the prison. including the pur-
chase Of supplies. which meant q loss Of
several thousands OF dollars annually to
local politicians.
When Clancy sent I'm his first resigna-
ton he was deluged with kilograms and
letters from persons interested In prison
reform TO remain. Their pleas prevailed
and he then decided to remain. But now
the triumvirate that seeks to control Sing
Sing-Tammany Hall, friends OF the con-
victed police grafters imprisoned in Sing
Sing, and members OF the Legislature
has grown so powerful and obnoxious
that Clancy has decided to get out on
June 1.
It is understood that one OF two mon
will likely succeed Clancy-Francis Y.
Disney, assistant secretary of the up
m GafOn
Thomas J. Mccormick, a member OF the
Westchester wing OF Tammany Hall and
leader Of the 4th Ward OF Yonkers.