The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-29
BOSS" CASSIDY
LOCKED IN CELL

nised Cassidy as the picker OF all candi-
dates. At the time Of his first nomina-
ton for County Judge--Judge Humphrey
is now serving his second term of six
ycars--he didn't speak to any OF the dele
gates then about his candidacy. he said.
He spoke to Cassidy, his political friend.
and that was enough.
Surrogate Noble had known Cassidy for
thirty years and Walter about the same
time. He has been a Surrogate for fifteen
years and has always been the political
friend Of Cassidy until after the. judicial
nomination OF 1911, when Willett was
nominated. Since then he has not been
as close friend as he was.
He said that he was a candidate for the
nomination, and had some hopes Of getting
II because OF his friendship for Cassidy.
Hopes Blasted ~ walter.
His hopes were blasted Just before noon
on the day Of the convention. He was In
saloon In Court Square with Lennie
Ruoff, one Of the delegates. when Walter
came in. said the Surrogate.
II had heard hints that Willett was go
Ing to get the nomination." said the Sur
rogate, so l asked Walter about II. Is
II true that you're going to give It to
Willett?' asked" said the Surrogate. 1T
Ia, said Walter. I had spoken to Walter
before then about my candidacy. I asked
him to ask Joe Cassidy to consider my
chances as hard as he could"
Maurice Il. Connolly, Borough Presi-
dent OF Queens and now Democratic
leader OF the county, having succeeded
Cassidy, narrated AN interesting chapter
OF his experiences with the ex-boss, "a
chapter indicative OF Cassidy's grip on
Queens politics. Mr.. Connolly was
elected Borough President on October
2. 1911, TO finish the term for which Law
hnA hnn MI ,t..I
was ousted.
How long have you known Cassidy"
Mr. Elder asked.
About ten YEARS" said Mr.. Connolly.
Have you known him intimately"
Mr.. Connolly smiled. part of the
time knew him very intimately" he
eaid. part OF tho time l knew him less
intimately and the rest Of the time I
knew him just the reverse OF intimately"
The five Aldermen Of Queens had the
power of electing the successor to Gres-
ser. and Connolly won them over before
the election. Cassidy heard OF this and
made trip to the MAGISTRATES court
where Connolly, then Magistrate. was
sitting.
1T was on Sunday" continued Mr.. Con-
molly. Cassidy and l went to my inner
office. He smiled and | smiled. He
said. Well. that's nice trick you've
played on me- I said, Thank you You
never told me you wanted 10 be- Boroug n
President he said, NO. I had more sense
than that | replied. How about the or
Eanixation" he asked
This is not an organization matter.
I answered.
Can't We do any business he asked
told him We could not. He told me
might need him. l answered that ~ ]
ever needed him there would be time then
TO talk about that.
He told me that one of my Aldermen
might go back on me. and I said II he did
there would be time to talk about tina,
when IL happened. Cassidy asked me II
We could 60 along together. l said We
could not. He made some more appeals
to me. but did no; listen to them"
Henry Heyson. president OF the Ma
tional Bank Of Far Rookawsy. said tina,
four days before the judicial convention
OF 1911 willett came to him and wanted
loan. He said he could make a short
term loan. Wi!lett told him he had g
chance TO make some money II ne could
borrow some. and only wanted 1t fol
| fifteen days.
Two days before tho nomination Willet
by Wiiletts wife for $1,000 and the Other
by Willett's brother Tor $4,000. HeysOr
discounted these, deposited ss,S15 to VII
| letts account and gave to Willett thu
banks check on the Seaboard Nationa
Bank for the $4,000. That same Satur
day morning within an hour the Seaboart
bank telephoned to him and he identified
4 a voice over the telephone as Willets.