Changes

===“Proxy” incident===

===“Proxy” incident===

[[File:William H. Robertson New York.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[W. H. Robertson]] was furious at French for propagating a forged letter.]]

[[File:William H. Robertson New York.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[W. H. Robertson]] was furious at French for propagating a forged letter.]]

In September 1882 amidst the state's gubernatorial election that year, the Republicans were divided once again between the Stalwart and Half-Breed factions; Judge Charles J. Folger was the candidate of the former.<ref name=nytimesobit/> French claimed that [[William H. Robertson]], a prominent figure among the Half-Breeds, sent him the subsequent telegram:

In September 1882 amidst the state's gubernatorial election that year, the Republicans were divided once again between the Stalwart and Half-Breed factions; Judge Charles J. Folger was the candidate of the former.<ref name=nytimesobit/> French claimed that [[William H. Robertson]], a prominent figure among the Half-Breeds, sent him the following telegram:

{{quotebox-float|Hon. W. H. Robertson:

{{quotebox-float|Hon. W. H. Robertson:

It is of utmost importance that you come here on the 3:30 train. State Committee meets here to-night. Answer you will come.

It is of utmost importance that you come here on the 3:30 train. State Committee meets here to-night. Answer you will come.

W. H. Robertson.}}

W. H. Robertson.}}

A subsequent investigation and "threats of criminal prosecution" were launched against French, who claimed innocence, having been deceived and acting in sincere good faith.<ref>[[Harvard University]] (1883). [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_School_Herald/SugBAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=stephen+b.+french+stalwart&pg=PA146&printsec=frontcover The School Herald: Vol. 2], p. 146. ''Google Books''. Retrieved May 25, 2023.</ref> No penalizing action materialized; Despite the established nature of forgery, the authorship of the fake letter was never determined.<ref name=nytimesobit/>

An investigation and "threats of criminal prosecution" were soon launched against French, who claimed innocence, having been deceived and acting in sincere good faith.<ref>[[Harvard University]] (1883). [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_School_Herald/SugBAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=stephen+b.+french+stalwart&pg=PA146&printsec=frontcover The School Herald: Vol. 2], p. 146. ''Google Books''. Retrieved May 25, 2023.</ref> No penalizing action materialized; Despite the established nature of forgery, the authorship of the fake letter was never determined.<ref name=nytimesobit/>

==Death==

==Death==