The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-28

After brief illness this well known citizen OF New
York died at his residence In this city on Sunday
morning last, in the sxty-sixth year OF his age Mr.
Cutting was born In 1905, ana was descended from
an Old'and respectable family OF this State At
Columbia College he received an excellent education,
and after studying law was admitted to the bar. His
thorough knowledge OF his profession, added to a
brilliant intellect and fine oratorcal powers,
soon placed him at the head of the bar and
gave him national reputation. Entering
into politics as democrat, the same ability
which distinguished his career as lawyer
made him one OF the leaders Of his party. In 1886
and 1887 he represented New York city the lower
House OF the State Legislature, and during the two
sessions, which were unusually exciting, he was
conspicuous in the debates. Some OF the speeches
delivered by him In the Asse nbly attracted marked
attention at the time by lie ,igor and logic of their
arguments.
In 1887 the democracy went OUT of power in this
State and remained in the minority for several
years. In the same year Mr. Cutting retired from
active politics and devoted his entire attention to
the duties Of his profession. 1t is doubtful II any
other lawyer Of this city ever possessed more
extensive practice OF the kind of bust
ness he attended to than did the de.
ceased for nearly twenty years. There was
hardly an important commercial suit before the
metropolitan courts in which he was not engaged
during this period and it also be said that there
nave been lew lawyers more generally successful in
their cases than lie was in his. This fact speaks all
the more 1avOrably Tor his abilities, because his
branch of the profession gave but little scope for
oratorical eloquence 1t being limited to solid argu.
ment.
Re-entering the political arena, Mr. Cutting was In
the fall Of ts52 elected Representative in Congress
for the Eighth district OF this State, comprised
OF the Twelfth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth
wards OF this city, defeating Mr.. Brooks by
more than one thousand majority. In Con-
gress he participated IN the exciting debates
on the Kansas and Nebraska questions and gave
offence to the Southern democrats because he refused
to support their views It was during the discussion
on the Nebraska bill that Mr.. Cutting became in
volved in personal quarrel with John G. Breckin-
ridge. On the 21st OF March, 1854. the former led
Committee, which was the programme Of the admin.
straton party. The motion for such reference was
defeated by majority Y. OF fifteen, and Mr. Cutting
tee of the Whole on the State OF the Unon Although
the democrats had majority of seventy in the
House, and the Southern wings supported the ad-
ninisration on the question, the motion was carried
and amid much excitement the House adjourned
On the Monday following In Committee OF the Whole
the bill came up, and Mr.. Cutting, In debate severely
criticised the action OF Mr.. Breckenridge on pre-
vlous day. IN questioning his motives. Breckinrfdge
rcorted with great bitterness accusing Cutting or
having stated fasehood IN saying that he mad
skuked on the Nebraska question. On the same day
retraction of the lie. Breckenridge refused to re-
tract unless Cutting withdrew the Improper and
offensive" language which called forth the lie.
Later in the evening the member from Kentucky
wrote another note, referring the whole matter to
his friend r. T. Hawkins, who was authorized to
make arrangements for hostile meeting.
Hawkins, supposlng his principal the cha-
lenged party, addressed Colonel James Mon
roe, Cuttings second, submitting the terms
regulating the meeting. Monroe replied, deny
Ing that his principal had challenged BrecKin:
ridge and submitting his terms. Lively correspon-
dence followed from this veritabe comedy OF errors
which finally resulted in the settlement of the affair
to the satisfaction OF both gentlemen The state
ment OF an evening paper that Breckenridge had to
resort to special pleading is incorrect Neither gen.
tleman sought to avoid the meeting. Had Mr.. Haw-
kins delivered the second note OF Cutting Breck
inrdge denying that his remarks were OF personal
character the quarrel would have ceased the day
after the debate.
On the close Of his term Mr.. Cutting retired from
active political life, nor did he after aspire to
office. During the war he the leader Of the war
democracy Of this city and extended to the govern
ment hearty support in its efforts to suppress the
rebellion. Personally he was in every respect
most estmabIe gentleman. Courteous and accom-
plished he made a delightful companion in society.
He married many years ago and leaves widow and
several children. To them and 10 the very large
number OF friends possessed BY the deceased gentle
man the loss Is irreparable. But few men OF
prominence have lived in New York who have
been more deservedly admired and esteemed than
Mr.. Cutting. AS a lawyer he was able and brilliant
as a citizen he was whOle-sOuled and patriotic and
as a man he was honest and died with an unblem-
ished character.