Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-21
n NOT OARERR.
Lewis @. Cassidy, Eminent Alta
ney and Hsrk,ttan. Political Leadt

Lewis G. Cassidy, Eminent Attor-
nef and brilliant Political Leader.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 18.--Lewis O.
Cassidy, one of the most prominent mem
bers of the Philadelphia bar, died sud
denly ct his residence here this morning.
Mr.. Cassidy was attorney general OF the
state during Governor Pattison's admin
istrstion. The cause Of death is supposed
to have been apoplexy. On Saturday he
was overcome with nervous prostration,
bu his condition was not considered So
rious and his sudden death was q shock
and surprise to his family and friends.
MIR. Cassidy was born In New York
city October 17tn, 1929. His father was
native Of Ireland, sDd type-foundes
by trade. During Mr.. Oassidy's infancy
his parents removed to Philadelphia and
few years atterward his father died.
This calamity threw him largely on his
own resources for support and education,
as his mother was poor. He entered the
public schools - Philadelphia and in due
course Of time was admitted to the Cen.
trail High Soaool, whence hs was gradu-
aied in 1912.
Ee received an appointment to West
Point, but this occupation of soldier in
the prosy anteboiium deys was not attrao-
tive to him, and at the earnest soicits.
ton OF his mother he decided TO adopt
the law as his vocation. He antered the
office OF Benjamin Harris Brewster in
1886, and after TIRES years Of diligent
study he WAS admitted to the bur il 1919.
He ct ouoe forged rapidly ahead in his
profession. He devoted himself to crimi-
nal practice, and it was not long before
he had established reputation in that
branch of the Law. II is said that nr.
Cassidy tried more homicide cases than
any lawyer in the U1ited States, and it
was a fact of waich LIE was very proud
TINT he never lost capital oase. No
client of his was ever hanged,
although he defended many Of
the most desperate criminals Penn
sylvauia ever produced. Mr.. Gas.
sidy entered the political arena slnos. as
soon as he entered the law. Ho was al.
why's Democrat, and as such he was
elected to the state legislature before he
was 25 years OF age. He declined q re.
election because il interfered with hiA
lsgsl buaingss, bat he continued to take
an active interest in local politics. In
1856 he was declared elected to the Office
| OF district attorney OF philadelphia
county, and he was sworn in. Subse'
q1eGtly, however, his seat was contested
snd he had to give up the Office 20 the
contestant, William 3. Mann, who after
ward formed e law partnership with him
In 1860 Mr.. Cassidy was delegate to
the nstionsl Democratic convention hold
in Charleston and subsequently in Bati
more, after the dissensiops in AID disin
tegrstion Of the originel convention. HI
warmly espoused the cause OF Stephen
A. Douglass, and during the rebellion wa
war Democrat and pronounced edvo
cate of the abolition of slavery. Fol
many years he was member OF Phila
delphia's board of education and exertsi
himself in extending Che public school
to colored children. He was also mem
her of The convention which gave new
constitution to the siota of Pennsyl
vania, and was one OF the most actiY,
men engaged in that undertaking. AL
though he wGs 10 active in politics an,
was the idol of tho Democrats of IN
lower section Of Philadelphia he woult
never accept public office until Rober
y. Pattlson was elected governor OF Penn
sylvania. Governor Pattison had for
merly baen student in Mr.. Cassidy
office and when tne chief executive o
tha state offered the office of attorney
general to Mr.. Cassidy the latter accepted
it. He showed great ability and Iearhin
while in this otiics aud was Bucsessful ii
all the great constitutional cases b
argued before the Supreme Oouit.
Mr. Cassidy went to the Democrat
national convention in 1880 IS Samue
j. Randall delegate, and refused III
honor of nominating Gen. Winfield
Hancock for the presidency of the Un;te
States, on the ground that it would ap
pear treacherous to his own candidate
Rsrdall In the latter part of his life Nh
Cassidy withdrew altogether from cFimi
nal practice in the Law and devoted him
self to corporation and other large civ
| ansaa