Evening star., 1932-02-05
V00RH|S, TAMMANY
SACHEM, SUCCUMBS
Veteran New York Politician
Retired Only Last Year
on Full Salary.
By the Associated Press


NEW YORK, February 5.-John r
Voorhis, 1o2-year- grand sachem of
Tammany Hail. Gied today at his home
Despite his advanced age, Mr. Voor-
OF the City Board OF Elections until
october 20 of last year, when he was
retired by the Board Of Estimate at
his full salary Of $4,000 year
He made his request for retirement
on October 8, the Legislature last Sep
tember having enacted law permit
ting his retirement on full salary for
life.
Always Lived Moderately.
He celebrated his last birthday ami
versary on last July o. by making 2
radio broadcast. On that occasion his
physician attributed Voorhis' ripe age
to clean and moderate living
Voorhis had been grand sachem Of
Tammany Hall for 20 years despite the
fact the rules of the society provide
that q man in this Office may not be
re elected
Despite his great age Voorhis enjoyed
unusually good health and not long
ago bOaSted he had not had a headache
for so years Recently however, his
waning strength had necessitated his
giving less and less time to his duties
as head of the board Of elections and
he finally came to the conclusion that
it was time for him to retire.
Set Political Record.
voorhis had been grand sachem Of
= tatr CIV he xryns
years old.
In holding that Office so long Mr..
Voorhis established record, since the
bylaws Of the society provide that the
grand sachem may not succeed himself
after two consecutive years. The Tam
many Sachems, however, as a tribute to
their veteran presiding officer, got
around the rule annually by each yot-
ing for himself. Thus there was no
choice, and the incumbent held over
| from year to years.
Mr.. Voorhis began his long public
service in 1873, when he was appointed
excise commissioner by Mayor Have
meyer Of New York. Other positions to
which he was appointed later included
commissioner of police, commissioner of
docks and police justice. In 1901 he
was named a commissioner of elections
for New York City and was chosen
president of the board. He remained
on the board until 1908. when he was
appointed superintendent of buildings.
He was in the State service from 1911
to 1915 as State superintendent of cleo
tions, having been appointed by Gov.
John A Dix Returning as a member
of the New York City Board of Elec-
tions in 1918, he was again chosen
chairman Of the board and continued
in that position thereafter.
Born In Jersey.
Born at Pompton Plains. N. J., July
81, 1929, Mr.. Voorhis had lived in New
York since childhood. Financial pres
sure cut short his school days when he
was l3 and he went to work in the law
office of John Jay at 81 a week Later
he was apprenticed to a carpenter, be-
came journeyman at 81, and after
ward a contractor, continuing in that
business some time after he entered
politics.
In August. 1850, Mr.. voorhis married
Miss Lucinda Lefferts Of New York.
They had three sons and two daugh-
ters. Mrs. Voorhis died in 1907.
Associates of Mr.. Voorhis attested
to his keen mentality and the brisk
ness with which he executed his work
even Wnen ne was nearing tAe century
mark. Hes a wonder" a co-worker
said. He can put his finger on any
thing in his desk, day or night, on a
minutes notice"
Asked in his ninety-ninth year when
he expected to retire, Mr.. Voohis an
nounced that he had mo expectation
OF retiring" He seldom took time off
from his duties, being a firm believer
in work for keeping man fit. He at
tributed his long life to his unceasing
activity and the fact that he always
had good time" as he went along
In his later years he formed the
habit of standing erect by his desk for
minutes at time SO that he would not
get bent over like an old man"
Mr.. Voorhis was a lean man Of me-
dium height and was firm believer in
exercising moderation in everything ex-
cept work. After passing his ninety
eighth birthday anniversary he con-
tinued to do the daily marketing for
his family.
Life" he often said, should be
constant climb toward Heaven. But
you don't want to try to climb too
"a m 3y,