New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-23
CASSIDY TELLS
OF WILLETT DEAL
Ex-Leader TestiheS NOmi-
nation Was Approved
by MCCoOey.
TAKES STAND AS
DEFENCE WITNESS
County Clerk Ruoff Explains
Stock Purchase That
Caused Trouble.

Joseph Cassidy, ex-leader Of the Demo
Gratis OF Queens. told how he came 70
permit the nomination OF William Willett,
ir., at Yesterdays hearing in the trial of
Mr. Wilett. in Brooklyn. He was called
10 the stand late in the afternoon as a
witness for the defence. District Attor-
ney Cropsey having rested the case OF the
people at noon.
He said that Louis r. Walter. jr., spoke
to him about nominating Willett in Au-
gust. 1911. He then suggested that Willett
get his friends out and help him IN the
primary fight. In September. 1911, after
the bill increasing the judges had become
law. he went TO the Surrogate's Office In
Brooklyn and saw John n. McCooey,
leader Of the Brooklyn Democrats.
We'll. John. what are you going to do
about the new judges he asked
II may possibly take them all, returned
Mr. McCooey.
You know what happened to Callahan
last time You don't want to have that
happen again. do you?"
I'VE have got TO have good, high class
men for those places"
We've got good, high class men in
Queens"
Who are they7"
Then Mr. Cassidy showed him a card on
which he had written a list OF possible
candidates. The list consisted OF Surro
gate Noble. County Judge HUMPHREYS
Magistrate Maurice f. Connolly. George
Gregg, Leach. Story and willett. Mr. Nc
Ccoey said that It would not do 70 have
Catholic nominee from Queens, as the
Democrats OF Brooklyn were going 10 Sc
lect one Of that denomination. Noble he
objected 10 because OF the investigation
into his Office that was being conducted
by Commissioner Fosdick at the time. He
also objected 10 Connolly because he did
not believe IN elevating the magistrates
from the lower courts too rapidly.
How about Nillett?" asked Cassidy.
"He ran for Congress in the Suffolk
Nassau district and made a good run
He'd be all right" replied Mr.. Nc
Cooey. story is a personal friend OF
mine and would like TO see him NOM
mated. Have you choice? From what
YOU say. think you might favor Will
lett"
II might; but YOU haven't said we couid
have one OF the places
We'll. see me before the convention.
Both Walter ard Willett spoke TO him
about the nomination after that. On the
morning Of the convention day ne met
Walter and Leonard Ruoff IN Brooklyn.
He told them that Mr.. McCooey had
agreed TO let Queens have one OF the Su-
preme Court nominations n they picked
a good man. and he wanted TO 80 over
his list again. Mr.. Ruoff agreed TO VII
let's nomination. and when Mr.. McCooey
vas told Of the choice. at the Jefferson
Building few moments later he said:
"All right: that suits me"
Mr.. Cassidy returned 20 the witness
stand in the evening and explained that
the 800 added TO his bank account on
September 26. 1911. was made up OF 1850
from a note discounted by James Gala
han. s. 900 from David Gideon. 500 from
Senator Hart and other amounts con-
tributed to a primary fund which he had
handled and had never been called upon
TO account for.
NJ. Ruof. who is now County Clerk OF
Queens testified as to the meeting An
other Witness was n. II. Frost, formerly
Mr.. Willett's law partner. lie told OF the
organization Of the Automobile Building
Company. of which he was treasurer and
afterward manager, and OF which Mr..
Willett was president lie and Mr.. VII
lett each received 5000 IS salaries, and
their firm got 5000 for acting as the con-
Germs lawyers. His testimony was eI-
pected by the defence to establish that
the shares OF stock In his company were
OF value in the fall Of 1911, when Alr.
Willett made purchase from Walter for
$500 two DAYS before the judiciary con
vention. Walter was also A witness. He
said that he had used $3.50 of the money
10 pay debts and had put 1880 In the
bank TO take with him to the race track.
He denied that he had taken any OF VIII
let's money 10 Cassidy.