Front cover.
Title page.
NYCHS
excerpts
presentation
of the
journal
for the
NYS
Sheriffs
Association
1940
convention
August 4 - 6
at Niagra Falls:
Part I


Webmaster Note #1 of 3: In 1940, the NYSSA -- then in only its sixth year and its first with all 62 county sheriffs in the state enrolled as members -- held its annual convention at Niagra Falls. NYCHS is honored to present image and text excerpts from the convention's 190-page official jounal. Each sheriff image in this presentation has been scanned from his individual portrait page -- photo with caption -- in the journal. The text excerpts are from the official minutes.

The remarks and resolutions, with their pre-WWII focus on safequarding the nation against totalitarian terrorism, resonate with almost eerie relevancy in our own post-9/11 era. This presentation would not have been possible without the good offices of NYS Commission of Correction Chairman/Commissioner Alan J. Croce, NYCHS president, and, of course, NYSSA.

Officers and Committees

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George A. Casey,
Westchester County,
President
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Edwin R. Auer,
Onondaga County
1st Vice-President
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D. Sayre Beam,
Livingston County
2nd Vice-President
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Lewis N. Spring,
Wyoming County
Secretary
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Milton V. Saulpaugh,
Columbia County
Treasurer
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Louis R. Yaguda,
Albany, N.Y.
Counsel &
Executive Director
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Executive Committee

Richard J. Lewis,
Albany County
Chairman
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Albert W. Skinner
Monroe County
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James V. Mangano
Kings County
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Rudolph L LaChapelle
Clinton County
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Jacob S. Dreyer
Suffolk County
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Ira R. Cowdrick
Niagara County
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Trustees

David Dows,
Nassau County
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William C. Stallknecht,
Monroe County
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Albert E. Ellinger,
Oneida County
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Legislative
Committee

Eugene J. McGuire
Bronx County

H. William Pollack,
Erie County
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Earl J. Daniels,
Broome County
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Fred A. Bigalow,
Niagara County
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Roy L. Chadwick,
Chautauqua County
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C. Fred Close
Dutchess County

Charles E. Malsan,
Herkimer County
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Sixth Annual Convention
New York State Sheriffs' Association
Hotel Niagara - Niagara Falls, N. Y.
Business Session
Monday, August 5, 1940
Meeting called to order by President George A. Casey at eleven o'clock . . .

PRESIDENT CASEY: . . . Mr. Yaguda, may we now have the report of the Executive Director?

MR. YAGUDA: The office of Sheriff in this State has in recent years been undergoing one of the most severe tests in its history; not a test of its ability to survive, as in the early years, when it first came into being and when the gun ruled rather than the Courts, but a test of moral fibre ---of integrity--and of independence of spirit.

These are not mere phrases, for they indicate hard-hitting questions which each of us would do well to answer for himself. After all, it comes squarely back to the individual, for the office of Sheriff is intensely individualisticand it is this quality that calls for men who will take command to prevent further retrogression.

In our generation there probably has never been a time when these characteristics I have named have been so vitally necessary as now if a safe and sane course is to be steered. Each Sheriff and Deputy in this State should accept the tremendous responsibility of paving the way toward the re-establishment of the prestige which constitutionally has been vested in the office.

The foundations of our Association are broad and deep. The superstructure which has been slowly rising through the years since 1934 is worthy of such a foundation. The offerings of each Sheriff and Deputy toward the building of our Association should contain nothing trivial, or cynical or false. Our conception of service should not be limited to county boundaries, but should be state-wide; we should insistently demand higher standards rernembering that the quality of our work is a measure of our integrity.

During the 1940 Legislative session the total of bills introduced in both houses was 5741 and of that number 877 were approved by the Governor. Of the 877 new laws 68 applied directly or indirectly to the Sheriffs' office, and have been included in 12 memorandums mailed to each Sheriff . . .

Of the bills introduced, 43 required special attention because of their ultimate effect on the Sheriffs' work. Included among them were:
 

  1. -- a series of picketing bills which virtually tied the hands of peace officers;
  2. -- a measure which dispensed with the requirement that an execution be returned unsatisfied before a garnishee execution could be issued;
  3. -- a bill which increased exemptions from levy and which, if enacted, would have created considerable disturbance on the question of value of items levied upon;
  4. -- a bill in relation to the appointment of special deputies in emergencies which would have nullified the existing powers under Section 182-a of the county law.


We continued to oppose the measure offered to delegate to the Board of Estimate in New York the power to create, modify and abolish grades and positions and fix salaries of all persons paid from the City treasury and employed in county offices of the City of New York. This was designed to abolish the Sheriffs in the Boroughs of New York.

I am pleased to report in connection with all of the previous type of Legislation named, that none of any consequence was either passed or approved.

Among Legislation sponsored was the Breed-Martin bill placing Sheriffs and their deputies on a parity with State Police in connection with the enforcement of Section 73 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, particularly concerning the payment of the fees of judicial officers and Courts in such cases. Under the present law, the fees of such judicial officers and Courts are paid by the Comptroller of the State of New York where the arrest is made by a state trooper, but where such arrest is made by a Sheriff or his deputy, payment of such fees falls back upon the town. Despite the fact that the Legislature attempted to correct this deplorable situation by passing the supporting measure, it was vetoed by the Governor for the second successive year.

We favored and sought passage of the Tifft-Hammond bill in relation to the furnishing of registration stubs to Sheriffs' offices so that a complete check would be had of licenses issued in each county. The bill passed the Assembly, but was held in the Senate committee.

Another measure introduced by Assemblyman Tifft and Senator Hammond would have given the Sheriffs fingerprints and photographs of crimes committed within the county of the Sheriff to whom such fingerprints and photographs were furnished by arresting officers. This measure failed to reach action.

In connection with the two foregoing measures I desire to express my thanks to Sheriff Tifft for his indulgence and assistance in attempting the passage of the same.

Former Sheriffs --
Associate Members

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I. Burt Cooper,
Cayuga County
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Ira R. Cowdrick
Niagara County
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David Dows,
Nassau County
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Albert E. Ellinger,
Oneida County
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Walter J. Flynn,
Sullivan County
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Carl J. Hosmer,
St. Lawrence County
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Richard J. Lewis,
Albany County
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Charles E. Malsan,
Herkimer County
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Peter J. McGuinness,
Kings County
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Frank J. Quayle Jr.,
Kings County
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William C. Stallknecht,
Monroe County
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Arlington B. Thatcher,
Broome County
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Willard Wilcox,
Cayuga County
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You will recall that on all legislation of consequence, letters went forward from our office asking your support or opposition and requesting that your attitude be expressed to your representatives in the legislature. While many of the Sheriffs did notify their legislators of their attitude toward such bills, many instances were found where Assemblymen and Senators stated that they had not heard from their Sheriff, and therefore treated the subject matter as routine rather than specific legislaion.

The defense plan of Governor Lehman forcefully calls to attention the necessity that each Sheriff be prepared for an emergency. You are, therefore, now in a position to demand that your Board of Supervisiors share this responsibility with you or else stand accused of failure to cooperate in the National and State plan.

We are in a period of history where we find it necessary to defend democracy and all its ideology against the terrorism of the totalitarian state. I need hardly remind you this morning, especially as peace officers, that when a statement is made as was recently, that democracy will be dethroned and replaced by the victorious slavery of the Dictators, what this will mean to all men throughout the world.

Surely, those charged with providing funds for the efficient up-keep of your office cannot close their eyes to what is now an accepted fact. We must be prepared.

Following my usual custom I made many calls upon Sheriffs throughout the State in an effort to be of assistance with any problems that were troublesome and maintained contact generally with all of our members through correspondence. Many legal problems were solved including action in Federal Court to free one of our members from a law suit, which service on our part to the Sheriff resulted in relieving him from liability.

At our last convention I advocated a traininq school for Sheriffs. It is now common knowledge that the school which was conducted at Syracuse on May 16, 17 and 18, of this year, not only brought excellent results to those who attended, but in addition brought forth much favorable comment for the efforts of the Association in promoting such a school . Seventy-six (76) Sheriffs and deputies received certificates of compliance from the New York State Department of Education for having successfully passed the examination which was conducted at the close of the school sessions, which can be considered an accomplishment for a new project.

In passing I desire to express my thanks to Sheriff Auer of Onondaga County, his staff and to all City and County officials for the splendid assistance which they gave toward perfecting the School plan and their constant aid during its operation.

In order to avoid repetition, I will omit other activities which will be covered by our President in his report.

It is gratifying to report that after hovering about the mark of 61 active Sheriffs in our membership,.we have finally reached 100 per cent enrollment and the figure, therefore, stands at 62 active Sheriffs on our rolls, making complete unification of every county in the State.

It is my sad duty to report the passing of one of our members to his eternal rest. Sheriff Frank T. Snider of Albany County was a quiet and unassuming man who enjoyed the respect and affection of all with whom he came in contact. He typified the good neighbor and efficient officer holder, and was constantly on the alert to give assistance whenever and wherever required. The people of his county miss him. . . .

With the passing of time I have come to know many faithful Sheriffs all over the State of New York who are serving the best interests of our Association by upholding its purposes daily. We of today are not responsible for errors or omissions committed in the office prior to the institution of this Association. We of today are, however, obligated to build for a greater future. As we enter another year, let us here and now dedicate ourselves to carrying out our duties and obligations to the end that a new spirit will be rekindled in our respective counties and toward the further end that the feeling of uncertainty and doubt which has hung over the office of Sheriff in recent years may be dispelled for all time. . . .(Long applause)

[Continued on Page II of the 3-page NYCHS presentation.]

More pages of 1940 NYSSA convention journal excerpts:
Page II ------ Page III

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