PRESIDENT CASEY: . . .The time has now come when the President must submit his report. . . .

MEETINGS: On December 9, 1939,  . . .[and on] February 12, 1940, your Officers, Executive Committee and Trustees met at Albany to discuss pending legislation in the 1940 Legislative session; to carry out the plan for a Training School for Sheriffs and for a review of events preceding that meeting and in preparation for further activities.

On the evening preceding the inauguration of our Training School for Sheriffs, that is on May 15, 1940, your Officers, Executive Committee and Trustees held a meeting at Syracuse, N. Y., where questions of importance were passed upon and preparations were made for the present convention.

On June 14, 1940, the Convention Committee met at Niagara Falls; a program was outlined; sites were inspected for holding our various events, and other details were given careful attention.

In addition to the foregoing meetings, it was my pleasure to attend and address a testimonial dinner given in honor of Sheriff Close at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

On February 5, and thereafter on February 17, 1940, Mr. Yaguda and I, as representative of our Association, attended a meeting in New York City of the Joint Legislative Committee on Interstate Cooperation, during which meeting we pledged the support of our group toward the progress and aims of that Committee.

On June 4, 1940, I presided at a session of the National Jail Association held in Philadelphia and attended that conference as a member of the Board of Directors of that Association and as President of this Association. During the discussions I called attention to the work that the Sheriffs are doing in the State of New York and particularly to the results obtained through the Training School which we instituted.

On July 11, 1940, I attended with a Committee appointed by me, a conference at the offices of Governor Lehman in Albany, touching on the subject of National and State Defense, and thereafter attended a similar conference on July 24th, at which time I was accompanied by Sheriffs Auer and Beam, and Mr. Yaguda.

The plan which evolved from the various groups called in by the Governor has already been directed to your attention. Our great concern is the proper execution of that plan in the event of an emergency and the far reaching effects which will result if there is any hesitancy or failure on the part of a Sheriff when called upon to act. A real test is in the offing and how it is to be met will be discussed at a later point in our deliberations.

MEMBERSHIP: Sixty-two (62) Active Sheriffs are members of our Association; there are eighty-two (82) associate members and thirty-nine (39) ex-sheriffs.

LEGISLATION: The 1940 session of the Legislature brought with it a large number of bills which required urgent attention on both the favorable and unfavorable side of the ledger. You will have noted from the report and review made by our counsel that no serious inroads were made upon our present powers.

While on this subject it is rather urgent that your attention be called to the fact that indications point to some so-called corrective legislation for 1941 which may have a far reaching effect upon the future activities of the Sheriff's office. This can be attributed to certain matters which arose in the course of the discussions on emergencies within the State. Whether those seeking the so-called essential changes shall succeed in their efforts will depend entirely upon the determination of every Sheriff in this State to demand of his representatives in the Senate and Assembly that a halt be called upon further encroachment.

You must become conscious of the fact that it is only by concerted effort that we can hope to stay the present determination to absorb our police duties. I, therefore, urge that you prepare yourself to meet this issue whenever it arises, and to aid definitely in stamping it out.

GENERAL MATTERS: Our Committee on Standard Uniforms will report during this Convention and I urge that you give its report your serious consideration. At no time has there been greater necessity for complete unification and standardization of all Sheriffs' police units. I trust that every Sheriff in this State will fall in line with the plan that every police deputy from the northern to the most southern tip of this State shall wear a uniform which will readily be distinguished as that of a member of the Sheriff's staff and the public will become conscious of the fact that the Sheriffs have a state-wide mobile police force.

A survey made by our Association indicates that if such plan is adopted, we can produce a force that will be second to none. Once more I must add that the success or failure of this venture lays entirely in your hands.

Lastly, let me emphasize one more fact for our welfare. In traveling through the state and meeting various members of our Association and from an intimate knowledge of our requirements, I am convinced that our future success depends upon rotating the office of President and that each incumbent serve for one year in that capacity. I also recommend that the offices of First and Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer be rotated. Through these means you will provide your Association with a constant supply of new and active officials, all of which will be of great value to us in our various objectives.

CONCLUSION: I wish that I possessed adequate language to tell you how loyally, faithfully and unselfishly the entire line of officers have cooperated in the work of the year. There has been no discordant voice, no attempt to evade any call, and I can only say that no President was ever blessed with a nobler official group. These men have given freely of time and wholehearted support in the interest of the Sheriffs of this State. . . .
(Long applause)
. . . .
Convention adjourned.

SHERIFF MANGANO: The following resolutions were adopted for the consideration of this convention.

Frank T. Snider passed to his eternal rest on May 14, 1940, leaving aside from his earthly possessions an indelible impression on the minds and hearts of his many close friends and associates, who will long hold him in happy memory.

Sheriff Snider was elected as Sheriff of Albany County in November, 1939, assumed office on January lst, 1940, and remained in that office until the day of his decease.

For many years Sheriff Snider was an office holder of the County of Albany, and during that period he endeared himself to many because of his even disposition, his warm clasp of friendship and his friendly attitude whenever approached under trying or other circumstances.

In the passing of Sheriff Snider there goes out from among us a friend and a faithful associate.

Therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that this resolution be spread upon the records and a copy thereof be conveyed to his family to whom we extend our sincere sympathy in their and our loss.

Dated, Niagara Falls, N. -Y.,
August 6 , 1940.
NEW YORK STATE SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION.
By
James V. Mangano
Howard C. Harford
Gerald K. Nellis.
. . .
(Carried unanimously)

SHERIFF MANGANO: The following memorial is offered:

Frank J. Cleary passed to his eternal rest on May 25, 1940, leaving aside from his earthly possessions an indelible impression on the minds and hearts of his many close friends and associates who will long hold him in happy memory.

Deputy Sheriff Cleary was appointed as deputy sheriff of Kings County about 25 years ago and remained in that office until the day of his decease.

For the many years Deputy Sheriff Cleary rendered efficient and honest service to the people of Kings County. During that time he endeared himself to many because of his even disposition, his warm clasp of friendship and his friendly attitude whenever approached under trying or other circumstances.

In the loss of Deputy Sheriff Cleary there goes out from among us a friend and a true public servant and a faithful associate
.

Therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that this resolution be spread upon the records and a copy thereof be conveyed to his family to whom we extend our sincere sympathy in their and our loss.,

Dated, Niagara Falls, N. Y., August 6, 1940.
NEW YORK, STATE SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION
By James Mangano
Gerald K. Nellis
Howard C. Harford.
. . .
(Carried unanimously)

PRESIDENT CASEY:
The next resolution will be presented to the convention for consideration by Sheriff Harford of Orange County.

SHERIFF HARFORD: This resolution is offered for consideration:

WHEREAS, the great conflict raging in foreign lands today threatens the liberties and peace of our own United States, and

WHEREAS, the vast sums appropriated by our Congress for defensive measures constitute an appeal to all people of the United States not only to assist in every way possible with these defensive activities, but to beware of foreign espionage agents, saboteurs and propaganda, arid

WHEREAS, the Hon. Herbert H. Lehman, Governor of this State, in collaboration with the President of the United States, has seen fit to place the military, naval, enforcement and economic forces in this State at the command of the President and the Congress.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New York State Sheriffs' Association in convention here, pledge its cooperation, both moral and physical, to the Governor arid all other enforcement agencies he has besought for such support, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the New York State Sheriffs' Association is prepared to take its place by the side of all the enforcement bodies in an effort to further unify the activities of such agencies in this State.

Dated, Niagara Falls, N. Y.,
August 6, 1940.
By James V. Mangano
Howard C. Harford
Gerald K. Nellis.

(Carried unanimously)

. . .
PRESIDENT CASEY: Are there any further resolutions?

SHERIFF MANGANO: I believe Sheriff Nellis, of Montgomery County, has a resolution.

SHERIFF NELLIS: This resolution I present for your approval.

WHEREAS, the New York State Sheriffs' Association is meeting --in the City of Niagara Falls, for the purpose of holding its Sixth Annual Convention, and

WHEREAS, it is an established fact that the Host City provides the means for success or failure of the comfort and entertainment of its guests, and

WHEREAS, the present Convention has profited and been made pleasant through the welcome extended and the cooperation of the officials and citizens of Niagara Falls, it is hereby

RESOLVED that the New York State Sheriffs' Association express its sincere appreciation to the Hon. Ernest W. Mirrington, Jr., Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls, and through him to all the citizens of that place for the splendid hospitality and spirit of welcome extended to our group, and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Hon. Ernest W. Mirrington, Jr., Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls, as a permanent record of the action taken by this body.

Dated, Niagara Falls, August 6, 1940.
NEW YORK STATE SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION
By James V. Mangano
Howard C. Harford
Gerald K. Nellis.

(Carried unanimously) . . . .