New-York tribune., 1919-10-25
Charges of Irregularities
Brought by County Asso-
citation Following Wilkins
Suicide Are Responsible
Davis, Republican, Named
Yale Graduate to Assume
Office Until Successor
Takes Oath in January

Charges which the Nassau County
Association brought several weeks ago
against Sheriff Phineas A. Seaman of
Nassau County, following the nvesti-
cation into the suicide Of DR.. Walter
X. wilkins at the Nassau County jail,
resulted yesterday in the removal of
Sheriff Seaman by Governor Smith.
Joseph E. Davis, Republican and a
member Of the Nassau County Associa-
ton and many clubs, was named by the
Governor as successor to Sheriff Sea-
man. Seaman's term would have ex-
pircd next December 81
Joseph NJ. Proskauer, who investi-
gated the charges against Sheriff Sea-
man as special commissioner, recon-
mended his dismissal. The unusual
privileges and freedom of action ac-
corded prisoners under the Sheriff s
care at the Mineola jail were such, Mr.
Proskauer reported, as to render it
possible for suicide like that of DR..
wilkins to take place.
According to Mr.. Proskauer's report,
Sheriff Seaman was guilty not only Of
extraordinary lency to prisoners,
but also had countenanced and par
ticipated in certain official irregulari-
ties which the special commissioner
reprehensibIe" These alleged irregu-
larities included the sale of county
food to prisoners by the Shertf's wife,
who is matron of the Jail, and the op-
pointment of deputies by Sheriff Sea
man for county fairs and races at So
a day each, while he received SIS a
day with which to pay them.
Called Matters of Custom
In the explanation of the alleged
irregularity of his conduct which he
gave to Commissioner Proskauer. the
Sheriff declared that so far as selling
food bought by the county but cooked
by his wife and appointing Sc deputies
at So day were concerned, those
things were matters Of custom. They
always had been done, he said, and the
Board Of Supervisors knew all about
them.
After hearing unofficia'ly last night
of his removal, Sheriff Seaman said:
II am greatly surprised at the action
of the Governor, as the evidence did
not show that I had been doing any
thing except what every other Sheriff
does. ! always tried to make the lot
of the men easier, and if the Governor
feels that | was wrong in this am
willing to abide by his decision.
have made this my life work, and it is
little hard at the end Of my term to
have this brought against me-"
Successor to Devote All Time
Mr. Davis, who will hold the office
of sheriff until his successor, to be
elected next month, takes oath in Janu-
ary, was notified by Governor Smith by
telephone of his appointment and
agreed to take the post.
81 do not know what I will do in
the Office" he said. "but at this time
! do not think I shall make any
change"
He was graduated from Yale in 1900
and is in the coal business at l Broad
way. During the time he is Sheriff OF
Nassau County, however, he intends tc
devote his entire time to that job. He
is a native of West Virginia, a nephew
of Senator Elkins and Of Gassaway
Davis, and is an ardent horseman.
During the war he he'd a commission
as captain and served in France. His
home is Heyday House, Ros!yn. For
merly he was master of hounds of the
Meadow Brook Hunt. He is a mambel
of that club and of the Racquet ant
Tennis, Piping Rock. Riding. Nassat
Country, Turf and Field, Knickerbock
er, Colony and Yale University clubs.