The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-24
WILLETT BORROWED
TO FOOL POLITICIANS
Lawyer. Accused of Buying
Nomination. Explains why
He Got $4,000.
DENIES BRIBING CASSIDY
Justice Scudder. Called as Wit
ness. Supports Tale
Of Bluff.
DENIES BRIBING CASSIDY


on the charge OF paying for a nomination
to the Supreme Court in Queens. took the
stand in his own defence at night
session of court last night.
lie explained why he borrowed $500
just before he got the nomination and
denied that he paid Joseph Cassidy or
Louis T. Walter for the honor
Willetts testimony was largely in cor
roboration Of that already given by Cas-
sldy and Walter lie told OF seeing Wal
ter about the nomination and of meeting
Cassidy. whom he had previously OPP
posed. on the train Walter had already
Informed Willeu that Cassidy was no.
actively opposed 20 his nomination.
Suppose | we're a candidate for the
supreme Court bench. would YOU oppose
me-" Willett asked. Cassidy replied that
he would not
Thereafter Willett decided 10 assist
Cassidy in his primary fight. he said. and
told several OF his friends that he would
finance the fight n was for this pur-
pose that he borrowed the $4,000 from
Frank X. Merrill He concealed the fact
from his partners because they were op-
posed to his spending money for such a
purpose while there were outstanding OBJ
legations against the firm.
Borrowed to Make show.
AS to the alleged worthless stock lie
bought from Walter for $1,000. and which
has been looked upon by the prosecution
as a blind to cover bribery. he said that
he considered the stock of good value and
that Walter first wanted $4,000 for il.
After getting the $1,000 no said he Dor
rowrd $4,000 to make the politicians
think he had money TO spend. Then he
borrowed second 10000 to buy the stock
and pay on his obligation TO Merrill. lie
borrowed, he said. the $4,000 after his
nomination
Willett asserted that the charge that H.
bought his nomination originated in the
ofiic. of Surrogate Noble. whom he de-
feated He heard the Surrogate's chief
clerk. Hendrickson. making the charge in
n street corner speech Just after ne was
nominated. he said. II was various sub
ordlnates in that Office who spread the
charge broadcast
Supreme Court Justice Townsend Scud-
der. testifytng as character Wit
ness for Willett said that wille.t
had told him on october 3. 1911.
that he did not pay a cent for the Su-
preme Court nomination. the buying Of
which he IL now being tried for before
Justice Jaycox and a jury in the Supreme
Court in Brooklyn, but that 1t was neces-
sary to have money and flash in order to
get a nomination In Queens. This last
was brought out on cross-exan1,nation.
II was before Justice Scudder. sitting
as committing Magistrate, that the
charges against Willett were originally
heard and IL was Justice Scudder who
held the Supreme Court candidate for
the Queens county Grand Jury. 40 that
his appearance 49, ~ character witness oc-
casioned some surprise. He said that he
had known Wllett for fifteen years and
testified TO his good character up TO the
time he had TO hold him for me Grand
Jury.
Asked Wiliett About Rumors.
The first time he spoke 10 me about
the charges against him was two days
after he had been nominated" Justice
Scudder said. In response to question
by District Attorney Cropsey He came
To court where | was presiding. ! in
vited him to take the bench and con-
graduated him and then told him ! had
heard d!sagreeable rumors The rumors
| had heard wer. that money had been
used in connection with the nomination
and said that ! hoped they were not
true
What did he say
That It was nothing like rs bad As
the talk.
"Th, WAS q day o. two after the
nomination and YOU mad heard these ru-
mors"
YES, | VA. IN the hotbeu of the ru-
mors"
rh. next timc Justice Scudder talked
10 Wilett about the matter was ON No.
v-inb.r >. tho first day he sat as d COM
hitting Magistrate on that occasion
Willett had told him he wanted the hear
Ing conducted publicly and not privately.
ON the last day Of the hearing tDe-
cemb-r - Mr.. Willett came to my
chambers before ! went on the bench"
Justice Scudder continued. 81 recall
that he said to me-: Judge. YOU seem
to think l did this. | did not do II at all.
although things look against me l did
not give cent for my nomination. But
] knew the people l was dealing with
knew no man could get the nomination
IN Queens county who did not show he
had the money. drew the money to
SHOW ! had it, hut intended to keep
II and spend it in my own way"
Brother Gave Worthless Check.