USA > New York > Westchester County > Westchester county in history; manual and civil list, past and present. County history: towns, hamlets, villages and cities, Volume II > Part 33
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A COMMISSIONER OF THE PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK.
D. McNeeley Stauffer, of Yonkers, was first appointed by Governor Higgins in 1905 and was reappointed by Governor Hughes on January 31, 1910, and Nathan F. Barrett, of New Rochelle, was appointed by Governor Hughes in 1907 and reap- pointed by Governor Dix in 1912, as Commissioners of the Pali- sades Interstate Park.
This commission is composed of ten members, five appointed by the Governor of the State of New York, residents of the State, and five appointed by the Governor of the State of New Jersey, residents of that State. The terms of such Commissioners shall be five years. The Commissioners receive no compensation for their services; they are paid for expenses incurred in the per- formance of their duties.
The Commission shall have power to select and locate such lands lying between the top of the steep edge of the Palisades and the exterior of the bulkhead line established by law upon the Hudson river, together with such separate parcels of unim -. proved lands lying on the front of the top of the Palisades from the New Jersey State line on the south to Piermont creek, near Piermont in Rockland county, on the north, as may in their opinion be proper and necessary to be reserved for the purpose of establishing a State Park and thereby preserving the scenic beauty of the Palisades, and to acquire, maintain and make available for use as a public park the lands so located.
The first Commission was appointed under laws of March 12, 1895, by Gov. Morton, and was composed of Enoch C. Bell of Nyack, and Waldo G. Morse and John J. R. Croes of Yonkers. On March 27 1912, Nathan F. Barrett of New Rochelle was reappointed a Commissioner.
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STATE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR BOYS-YORKTOWN HEIGHTS.
This institution, established for the management and control of juvenile delinquents, is under the supervision of a board of seven managers, appointed in accordance with section 51 of the State Charities Law.
Of the seven managers, five are natives of this county, William B. O. Field, of Cortlandt, William T. Emmet, of New Rochelle, Isaac Purdy, of Purdy's Station, Eliphalet N. Potter, of Mount Kisco, and Thomas P. Field, of Shrub Oak, the four last were appointed by Governor Dix, on March 13, 1912.
AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Benjamin S. W. Clark of Sing Sing (now Ossining), this County, had the special honor of being the first appointed State Superintendent of Public Works; his appointment being made by Governor Lucius Robinson, in January, 1878. He served until February 1, 1880. His salary was $6,000 per year.
MOHANSIC STATE HOSPITAL-YORKTOWN HEIGHTS.
As members of the Board of Managers of this State Institu- tion, located in Yorktown Heights, in this county, Governor Dix appointed (May 3, 1911) J. Howard Wainwright of Rye, and William D. Granger, M. D., of Bronxville (June 27, 1911), Dr. Granger was formerly a Supervisor of the town of East- chester ; he served as member of the Hudson River State Hospi- tal at Poughkeepsie, from 1905 to 1910.
IN STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
Charles B. Ash of Yonkers and James Davie of Ossining, as Deputy Factory Inspectors, represent Westchester County in the State Department of Labor, in Albany.
AS RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
Henry N. Rockwell, Yonkers, Westchester County, was ap- pointed by Governor Higgins, on December 4, 1905, as one of five composing the State Railroad Commission. The term of
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office is five years. The annual salary $8,000. This commission had general supervision of all railroads in the State. The Com- mission was abolished when laws of 1907, establishing Public Service Commissions, went into effect.
WITH STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
Richard W. Sherman of White Plains, was, in August, 1911, appointed Chief Engineer of the New State Conservation Com- mission. Mr. Sherman is a brother of James S. Sherman, Vice- President of the United States; was born in Utica, N. Y., and was Mayor of that city in 1896-97. He was the Democratic nominee for State Engineer and Surveyor in 1902. He has resided in Westchester County several years.
SUPERVISOR OF CENSUS.
Alexander R. Smith, of Pelham, by appointment from the Supervisor of the United States Census, acted as Supervisor of the Census for the Third New York District (Westchester County) from October 1, 1909, to June 1, 1911.
COUNTY BUREAU OF ELECTIONS.
The State Legislature in 1907 (Chap. 255) passed an act creating the office of Commissioner of Elections, which act reads as follows:
" The office of Commissioner of Elections in the County of Westchester is created and all of the rights, powers, authorities, duties and obligations with respect to general, primary and special elections in the County of Westchester immediately heretofore by law vested in and imposed upon the County Clerk of the County of Westchester, shall continue to be elected, and serve as provided by law, shall hereafter by force of and as an effect of this act be transferred to and be continued in the Commissioner of Elections in the County of Westchester, hereby created."
" Within the month of December, 1907, and the month of December every sixth year thereafter, the County Judge, Dis- trict-Attorney, Surrogate, Sheriff and County Clerk, or a
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majority of them, shall appoint a Commissioner of Elections, who must be a resident elector of Westchester County, and who shall take office on the first day of January next succeeding such appointment. In case of vacancy the appointing officers shall make an appointment to fill such vacancy."
" The Commissioner of Elections is empowered to appoint a Deputy Commissioner of Elections, who shall not be a mem- ber of the same political party as himself; also a secretary to the Commissioner, who shall each hold office at the pleasure of the said Commissioner, and such additional employees as the Board of Supervisors shall authorize from time to time; salaries to be fixed by the Board of Supervisors." The act further prescribes duties of officials.
The position of Commissioner of Elections has been held by W. J. Wallen, of Yonkers, from 1908 to July 31, 1911; Deputy Commissioner, John B. Cortright, Mount Vernon, from 1908 to July 31, 1911; Secretary, George S. Bailey, Port Chester, from 1908 to July 31, 1911.
UNDER LAWS OF 1911.
The Election Laws, relating to the whole State, passed by the Legislature of 1911, to an extent revolutionized former laws.
For this County it provides, instead of one and a Deputy, two or more Election Commissioners; the number to be fixed by the Board of Supervisors, which latter body also fixes the annual compensation of such Commissioners. The Commis- sioners so appointed are to represent equally the two principal political parties ; name of a suitable person for appointment to be recommended to the Board of Supervisors by the two respec- tive political organizations, acting through the chairman of each of the two political County Committees.
The Commissioners are authorized to select two clerks, one representing each of the two political parties, and are empow- ered to fix salaries of said clerks.
On July 31, 1911, the Board of Supervisors of Westchester County, acting in accordance with the new law, met in special session, called for the purpose, and decided that the number of Election Commissioners appointed for the County shall be two; of which number one shall be a Republican and the other a
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Democrat; that the salary of such Commissioners shall be $3,000 per annum each, payable monthly.
Whereupon the said Board elected as the Republican Com- missioner, William J. Wallen, of Yonkers; and as the Demo- cratic Commissioner, John B. Cortright, of Mount Vernon.
Said Commissioners to hold office ending December 31, 1912.
The Commissioners, after qualifying, on July 31, appointed as clerks in their office, George S. Bailey, of Port Chester, Republican, and Edwin J. Goodhart, of Yonkers, Democrat. The salary of a clerk was fixed at $1,500 per annum, payable monthly.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN B. CORTRIGHT.
John Butler Cortright, lawyer, one of the County Commissioners of Elections, former Supervisor, etc., was born in Mount Vernon, this County (where he yet resides), on December 16, 1880, a son of Jacob D. and Margaret Ceilia (Quinn) Cortright.
He received his preparatory educa- tion in the public schools of his na- tive town, finishing in Manhattan College in 1900, and having decided to become a lawyer, entered the New York Law School from which he graduated in June, 1901, receiv- ing the degree of L. L. B. The first five years after being admitted to the bar (on March 2, 1902), he spent as an attache of the law de- partment of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company of New York City; in 1907 he began the practice of law in Mount Vernon, where he continues to have his office.
At an early age he took an in- terest in politics, connecting him- self with the Democratic party. When only twenty-five years of age, in 1902, he was elected Supervisor to represent the first ward of the city of Mount Vernon in the county legis- lature; to secure his election it was necessary to overcome a normal Re- publican majority, this he was en- abled to do by his young friends, both Democrats and Republican first voters, rallying to his support. As a Supervisor he served two years, when he relinquished that office to accept the office, by appointment, of Deputy Commissioner of Elections for Westchester County.
The Legislative Act creating the
office of Commissioner of Elections for Westchester County, provides for the appointment of a Commissioner and a Deputy Commissioner, each representing one of the two prin- cipal political parties. For what was considered good and sufficient reasons, it was agreed that these two appointments should be assigned to the two largest cities in the County -Yonkers and Mount Vernon. The first choice fell to Yonkers, and a Repubucan was chosen to serve as Commissioner; the Deputyship, com- ing to Mount Vernon and the Demo- crats, attracted many applicants for the position, but young Cortright's popularity enabled him to outdis- tance other competitors in the run- ning, and the prize went to him. Under the new election law, passed in 1911, providing for two Commis- sioners of Election in the county, Mr. Cortright was named by the; Board of Supervisors as the Demo- cratic member, and his salary was fixed at $3,000 per annum.
The ability displayed in discharge of responsible duties should insure to Mr. Cortright a continuance in this office as his political party's repre- sentative.
Mr. Cortright is a member of the Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 842, B. P. O. E., of Brownson Council, No. 419, K. of C., of the Democratic Club of the city of Mount Vernon, and of the Sacred Heart Confer- ence, St. Vincent De Paul Society.
He was married on November 24, 1908, to Miss Agnes M. Wivell, daughter of Frank W. Wivell, of Wilkes Barre, Pa. No children.
JOHN B. CORTRIGHT
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TRANSFER TAX, APPRAISER, COUNSEL, ETC.
The Collateral Inheritance and Transfer Tax Law was enacted in 1885; later amended and revised in 1892, chapter 399; finally its codification by Laws of 1896, Chap. 908.
The Laws of 1896 provides that the Surrogate of Westchester County may appoint, and may at pleasure remove, a Transfer Tax assistant, at an annual salary to be fixed by the Surrogate of not more than $2,000 per annum.
The laws of 1905 provide that the State Comptroller may, upon the recommendation of the Surrogate, appoint, and may at pleasure remove, such Transfer Tax Assistant in the Surro- gate's office in said County.
The position of Transfer Tax Assistant, attached to the Sur- rogate's office, has been held by-
Isadore Sumner Burnstine, of Yonkers, 1896 to January 8, 1907, when he died.
John S. Sullivan, of Yonkers, 1907 to 1909.
William C. Duell, of Tarrytown, from 1909, present incumbent.
TRANSFER TAX APPRAISER AND COUNSEL.
Chapter 567, Laws of 1906, provides that the State Comp- troller shall appoint, and may at pleasure remove, one person in the County of Westchester to act as Appraiser, in said County, of taxable transfers. The said Appraiser so appointed shall receive an annual salary not exceeding two thousand five hundred (2,500)) dollars per annum, together with actual and necessary traveling expenses and witness fees, payable monthly by said State Comptroller out of any funds in his hands or custody on account of transfer tax.
The office of Transfer Tax Appraiser has been held by-
Charles H. Lovett, of Mount Vernon, 1905-6.
Frank M. Buck, Mount Vernon, 1904-5-6.
William C. Clark, Mount Vernon, 1909 to 1912. Edward V. Brophy, Port Chester, 1912, incumbent.
The position of local counsel representing the State Comp- troller in Transfer Tax matters, appointed by said Comptroller, has been held by the following members of the Westchester County bar :
James M. Hunt, Yonkers, 1894-5-6-7-8-9.
Joseph W. Middlebrook, Dobbs Ferry, 1900-1-2-3-4.
Frank M. Buck, Mount Vernon, 1905-6.
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John J. Sinnott, Tarrytown, 1907-8. W. A. Moore, New Rochelle, 1909-10. John J. Sinnott, Tarrytown, 1911, present incumbent.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE.
State Laws of 1907, Chap. 345, provide that the State Com- missioner of Excise shall appoint a Special Deputy Commis- sioner of Excise in and for the County of Westchester.
The said Special Deputy Commissioner of Excise, and his successor in office, shall, after taking and subscribing to the Constitutional oath of office, execute and file in the office of the State Comptroller a bond to the people of the State in such sum and with such sureties as shall be approved by the State Excise Commissioner. He shall perform such duties as may be required by the Excise Commissioner, or may be provided by law. The State Excise Commissioner may remove any Special Deputy Commissioner of Excise, and shall in like manner appoint his successor; and may appoint in the offices of each of such deputies and their successors such clerical forces as he may deem necessary or as may be provided for by law.
The State Liquor Tax Law, passed March 23, 1896, abolished all County, Town and Village boards of excise then existing, and created a State Commission with power to issue licenses and collect the tax levied. From this year to the enactment of this special act, licenses were issued and the tax collected in this County by the County Treasurer of Westchester County, under supervision of the State Excise Commissioner, as pro- vided by law.
The duties of the Special Deputy Excise Commissioner for Westchester County are similar to those discharged by the County Treasurer in issuing licenses and collecting the tax.
The office of the Special Deputy Commissioner of Excise is located in the village of White Plains, the County-seat.
The Special Deputy Excise Commissioner for Westchester County shall receive an annual salary of $2,500, payable in equal monthly installments. The salary and expenses of such Deputy Commissioner, and such office rent and clerical help, office furniture, fixtures and equipment as are authorized and audited by the State Commissioner of Excise and for which appropriation is made, shall be paid, one-half by the State and one-half by the County.
.
PATRICK A. MURPHY
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On this act going into effect, the State Commissioner of Excise appointed as Special Deputy Commissioner of Excise for Westchester County, Henry C. Weeks, of the town of Rye, who was sworn in on December 24, 1908.
Patrick A. Murphy, of White Plains, took office May 1, 1911, as successor to Henry C. Weeks, and is the present incumbent.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
PATRICK A. MURPHY.
Patrick Andrew Murphy, Special Deputy State Commissioner of Ex- cise for Westchester County, former Overseer of the Poor, former Col- lector of Taxes and Assessments, etc., was born on June 1, 1875, in the town of New Castle, this county, a son of Thomas and Mary (McNa- mara) Murphy.
He was educated in the public schools of Mount Kisco and White Plains.
The family came to reside in White Plains in 1892. Young Mur- phy's happy disposition made him popular and secured to him many friends ready to give a helping hand to a bright lad.
When quite a young man he was called to exercise fatherly care over the town's poor, serving as Town Overseer of the Poor in the years 1904 and 1905. In 1906 he was chosen as Collector of Taxes and As- sessments for the Village of White Plains, a very responsible position and one which he filled to general satisfaction.
On May 1, 1911, he became
Special Deputy Commissioner of Ex- cise by appointment from the State Excise Commissioner. This position was created by act of the Legis- lature in 1907. Mr. Murphy is the second person to hold this office of great responsibility. He has proven in this position to be a painstaking official endeavoring by every means at his disposal to safeguard the best interests of the county. In the discharge of his particular offi- cial duties it is necessary to exercise good judgment enforced by no or- dinary intelligence; that he ably fills the office is very pleasing to Mr. Murphy's many friends.
There is one objection to Mr. Murphy, however, but as it concerns a fault that his modesty may some time permit him to overcome, there is hopes of him-he is a bachelor.
He is a prominent member in the White Plains Lodge of Elks, though he does not in any way show horns; he is also a Knight of Columbus, be- longing to the local council. He is also a member of several social or- ganizations which hail him as a " Jolly Good Fellow."
THE BRONX VALLEY SEWER.
A public work of great importance commenced in 1905, and which in 1911 is rapidly nearing completion, is the Bronx Valley Sewer, which parallels the river of the same name from White Plains to Mount Vernon, where it turns westward, tun- nelling under the hills to an exit in Yonkers.
In 1911 the work was in a great part finished, and in the time previously estimated; excepting as to some details that could not be taken into consideration so far in advance. It is expected that 1913 will see the work of construction complete and the sewer in satisfactory operation.
It is believed that the original commissioners " did the best
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they knew how " in endeavors to make this important public improvement reflect credit upon themselves.
And it is also confidently believed that the new commis- sioners, appointed in 1911, will do equally as well, if not better, to earn the commendation of the people they serve.
State Laws of 1904, Chap. 614, creates and prescribes the powers and duties of a commission to inquire into the necessity for the construction of a sewerage system for the valley of the Bronx River, in the County of Westchester, by the exercise of powers vested in the State, and providing for the payment of the expense of such commission; and names as members of such commission the mayor of Yonkers, the mayor of Mount Vernon and the president of the village of White Plains. This law became effective May 6, 1904.
Laws of 1905, Chap. 646, provide for the construction and maintenance of a sanitary trunk sewer and sanitary outlet sewer in the County of Westchester, and to provide means for the payment therefor. Appoints John E. Andrus of the city of Yonkers, William Archer of the city of Mount Vernon, and John J. Brown of the village of White Plains as the Sewer Commissioners empowered and directed to carry out the provi- sions of this act for the purpose of providing a sanitary trunk sewer in the Bronx River valley within the County of West- chester, and an outlet sanitary sewer through the city of Yonkers to the Hudson River, and preventing the pollution of the stream in the Bronx Valley and preserving the health of the people of Westchester County.
This act further provides that, the term of office of said com- missioners shall be three years from the date of their organiza- tion, when their term of office and the office itself shall cease and determine. The said Commissioners shall receive a salary at the rate of $2,500 per annum, during their term of office. The salaries received by said Commissioners hereunder shall be in addition to any salaries they otherwise receive as public officials. The Commissioners shall meet to organize within twenty days after the passage of this act.
The Commissioners named in the act of 1905, and here given, met and organized in June, 1905.
A subsequent amendment to the act of 1905 (passed in 1908) extended the term of office of the said Commissioners three years, to June, 1911.
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The preliminary Commission, appointed in 1904, and here mentioned, appointed George R. Byrne, of White Plains, as Civil Engineer, to conduct the preliminary survey. At the organiza- tion of the Commission, provided for by the laws of 1905, Mr. Byrne was continued in the employ of the Commission and made Civil Engineer-in-Chief in the work of construction.
The work done by the Commission has been pronounced most commendable.
By an act of the Legislature, passed May 9, 1911, the Gov- ernor was authorized to appoint three new Bronx Valley Sewer Commissioners to succeed those whose terms of office had expired. Accordingly, in July, 1911, the Governor appointed as such Com- missioners Frank J. Hoyle of Pelham, Henry C. Merritt of Tuckahoe and James L. Hayes of Yonkers.
The Board organized by electing Mr. Hoyle chairman, James J. Shaw, of White Plains, as secretary, and Edgar C. Beecroft, of Pelham, as counsel.
A supplementary act passed by the Legislature of 1911 appro- priated $500,000, to be added to $117,000 already available, to be used in completing the work of construction.
Two years' additional time is given in which the work is to be done-in 1913.
By special act of the State Legislature of 1912 an additional sum was appropriated to complete the work.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE R. BYRNE.
George Raymond Byrne, Civil En- gineer, County Engineer, Chief En- gineer of Bronx Valley Sewer, etc., was born on July 17, 1861, in Ports- mouth, Ohio, a son of Richard and Louise Ellenwood Faithful Byrne.
He was educated in the public schools of his native State and grad- uated from College with a special de- gree. He is a life-long engineer, thoroughly conversant with all the details of the profession.
He is at present a resident of White Plains, where he came to dwell in the year 1890.
He has served as official Civil En- gineer of the village of White Plains and as County Engineer of West-
chester County, serving in the lat- ter position from 1902 to 1906.
In 1905 when, by special act of the State Legislature, a Commission was created to construct the Bronx Valley Sewer the Sewer Board, ap- preciating the necessity of having the most accomplished civil engin- eer to design the construction, after canvassing the merits of many repu- table engineers in the State, selected Mr. Byrne as the man to whom the trust could be most safely confided. He accepted an appointment so flat- tering and set about to perfect his plans. Under his direct supervision and direction this most important work was completed, and when he retired from the position of Chief
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Engineer, in 1911, he left behind him the most telling evidences of the skill, capacity and genius of the designer.
At the present writing, he is a member of the firm of Byrne & Darl- ing, of White Plains, with extensive private business.
He is a member of White Plains Lodge F. and A. M. and a member of the White Plains Lodge of Elks.
The genial side of his nature at- tracts to him many sincere friends, and his popularity aids in gaining business preferment.
Mr. Byrne was married on June. 27, 1888, to Miss Edith Darling, daughter of Oscar and Hannah Smith. Of this union there are three. children, Clara L., Raymond D., and Helen F.
THE BRONX PARKWAY COMMISSION.
The State Legislature, Laws of 1907, Chap. 594, passed a special act which provides for preserving the waters of the Bronx River from pollution; creating a reservation of the lands. on either side of the river; authorizing the taking of lands for that purpose and providing for the payment thereof, and appointing a commission to carry out the purpose of the law ; of the commissioners to be appointed by the Governor, one must be a resident of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Borough of the Bronx, and one a resident of the County of Westchester.
To be known as the Bronx Parkway Commission. Salary of each commissioner $2,500 per annum. Terms of office, one shall serve three years, one for four years and one for five years. Successors shall be appointed for the full term of five years. In case of vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a resident from the section in which vacancy occurs.
The Commission can meet either in Westchester County, the. Borough of Manhattan, or the Borough of the Bronx. The. Commission chooses annually its own officers, retains all neces- sary counsel and attorneys, engineers, landscape architects, and such other employees as may be decided to be necessary ; salaries. fixed by the Commission.
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