New-York tribune., 1911-01-16

trlCt died at hts home IN NdlAii'9' ~ -
this afternoon. aged forty-esht years. lie
had been suffering for several years from
diabetes. and for the last few months mad
been confined TO his bed He is survived ny
his widow. daughter, Florence, VINO IS
studen: at Vassar, and son. HaroId' al
home The funeral will be held Nednes-
day afternoon in the Episcopal Church in
Watkins.
owen Cassidy was born at Hector y. /"
in 1SG. He was educated at Cook Academy
az Moutour Falls, and later was graduated
from Colgate University In the class OF 81.
lie was admitted TO the bar in 1920. and
later became a member of the law firm OF
Watkins & Cassidy. at Watkins. Governor
Morton appointed him one OF the state
Commissioners Of Health. and he was con-
tinued In office by Governors Black and
Roosevelt
Mr.. Cassidy was elected to the Senate
in ls04 on the Republican ticket, defeating
Jonah T. Howe, Democrat. He was re-
elected in 1906. His opposition to the
Agnew-Hart anti-racetrack bill and his
fight against other measures favored by
the Hughes administration attracted much
attention. It was said that although Mr..
Cassidy was originally in favor Of the bill
against the racetracks he was induced 10
vote against II through telegraphic mis-
take in the text Of the famous John and
T. telegram, which caused the temporary
defeat Of the Hughes measures.
While Cassidy was at the session at
which the vote on the anti-racetrack bill
was taken, and less than half an hour be-
fore the call for the vote in tire Senate, he
received a telegram reading thus:
Washington. April s. 1908.
To the Hon. Owen Cassidy state Senate
John and think you better not support
Governor on racetrack bill owing 10 con-
J. sLoAT FAssETT.
The next day, when it became known in
Washington that the Governor had been
beaten. another telegram was sent 70 Cas-
sidy. as follows.
John and think you have made seri-
Gus II not fatal mistake. Get busy, move
j. s. FAssETT.
The John" referred to was Congress
man John w Dwight. Of Tompklns Coun-
y. which was included in Senator Cassldys
Senate district No matter what may have
heen the opinion Of Cassidy, he recognized
the value o. the advice Of the leaders or
his district. He had no reason to suspect
that the message was not genuine, and IN
any event had no time TO investigate o.
otherwise suostantiate its contents. The
Senator vent to New York soon atterward
where he met ,Ir. Fassett and asked for
an explanation. at the same time showing
the Congressman the original telegram OF
April s NJ. Fassett wss dunfounded, and
said that he vas sure that lie had not
written the message that way.
Returning 10 washington, Representative
Fassett started an investigation and ascer-
tained that an operator at the Capitol had
inserted a not" in the telegram, making
II read, Better rot support"
N- Cassidv's vote caused the temporary
defeat OF Governor Hughess plans, as the
vote in the Senate on the bill was p 20 p
Mr. Cassidy was defeated for renomina-
ton by the organization In 1908 and ran in
dependently as a candidate against Benn
Conger. Republican. and Major Robert P.
Bush. Democrat, but was beaten by Con-
ger. In declaring his intention 10 make an
indepenGent canvass Mr.. Cassidy said.
The Republican party has cut me In
shreds. and each delegate mas taken nome
= piece for a souvenir. I intend 10 demon
strata at the polls what the people. think
OF my work In the Senate, and their YER
dict on the question whether the LeGlslat-
ure is 70 he subject 20 the dictatfon OF the
Executive whether the chosen representa-
tive Of the people shall be told by the Gov
ernor how he shall vote on any question.
Mr.. Cassidy was a member Of the consti-
tutional convention In 1894 end was the
author Of several important pieces OF legis-
lation. Upon his retirement from the Sen
ate he resumed his law practice. His fond
ness and ability for repartes made him a
noru1aT figure in the Assembly.