The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-01-20
''J0E'' CASSIDY QUEENS BOSS,
 IS PARD0NED

New York, Jan. 20-Joseph Cas- sidy former Democratic | boss of Queens, who spent a year in Sing Sing for selling a, supreme court nomination to William Willett, has been restored to citizenship.
 A pardon, including such a restora- tion, signed by Governor Whitman, reached Cassidy Thursday night. It is said to have been issued at this time, in pursuance of the governors 8 policy imp ardoning, in cases where he regards it is justifable, after a year has elapsed from the parole.
 Cassidy was >paroled in January last year. Nearly 4,0OO Queens citi- zens petitioned the governor for the pardon.
 Willett, who stayed in jail a few months longer than Cassidy, because of difficulties with Warden Thomas M. Osborne, probably will get his par don and restoration to citizenship by the time year has elapsed from his parole.
 "Cur1ey Joe's'' restoration to citi- zenshi comes at a time when it will be very useful to him politically. He began to look around to see what could be done with his former or ganization, within d few months of his release, although the regular county forces, led by Borough Presi- dent Maurice Connolly, rofessed to believe he would never come back.
 Cassidy Busy In Politics.
 Cassidy has been doing much quiet work lately, in anticipation of the city election this Fall, when, if condi- tions are propitious, his forces may give President Connolly considerable of a fight against his reelection.
 A test of his recovered strength will come next Tuesday, at the special election for Sheriff, to fill the place of the late Sheriff Stier, killed by luna- tic. The regular Democratic, Connolly candidate, is Samuel Mitchell He is opposed by Theodore Wilsnacls, Re publican, Deputy Excise Commis- sioner, appointed by Governor Whit man.
 Wilspack is supported by the anti Connolly Democrats. They are led, nominally, by Edward Roche, wealthy Far Rockaway bathhouse proprietor, who is a close friend and business associate of Cassidy. 1.-The anti-Connolly men were ready to sup. port James Hicks, Republican candi- date for Sheriff. at tho regular cleo ton in November if the courts had permitted his name to go on the bal lot in the short time between Sheriff Stier's death and Election, Day.
 Cassidy undoubtedly has the sup port of many Democrats who are dis gruntled with the present city ad- ministration. In combination with Republicans, which the intricacies of Queens politics would not make un- likely these Democrats might make trouble for President Connolly. Friends of Honest Larry Dresser. former borough president, removed from office, who constitute consid- erable political force, might also sup port him.
 Speculation Is Rife.
 There was much speculation in Queens yesterday, as to the early res toration of Cassidy's citizenship. Some wiseacres professed to see an explana- tion in these facts:
 One of Doughty's neighbors and business associates is G. Wilbur Doughty, of Inwood, just over the line from Far Rockaway, in Nassau county Doughty is a Republican leader in Nassau county and former assemblyman. He attended the din- ner given to Cassidy after his release from Sing Sing, which aroused much criticism.
 One of oughtys neighbors and close friends is Frank Lord, Governor Whitman's personal counsel.
 All of which, those who know their way through the devious mazes of Queens county politics declare, indi- cates that said politics may be even more devious than usual this sum- mer, and may produce some remark able combinations when the city cam paign gets really started.
 Cassidy refused last night to say anything about his political future. "I am greatly pleased with the par don,,'' he said, "and am deeply grate- ful to Governor Whitman. I am too happy just now to even think of poli- ties"
 Many messages of congratulations were received at the Cassidy home in Far Rockaway last night.
 Albany, Jan. Ex-Governor Whit mans action in restoring citizenship rights to Joseph Cassidy, it was said at the executive offices yesterday, was in accordance with his policy of pro- viding an incentive for future good living by restoring a prisoners right to vote after he had been at liberty year and had not come in contact with the authorities. William Willett has not yet applied for a renewal of his citizenship privileges.
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