Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-07


OF his party had well nigh disappeared in
Pennsylvania and totally in Philadelphia.
His mention of Lewis G. Cassidy partcu-
larly recalls that while only thirty two years
have elapsed since the former Attorney Cen
eral died every one of the honorary pail
bearers have followed him to the grave, while
but half dozen of the prominent men who
attended his funeral are alive today.
Lewis I. Cassidy is n tradition today
among the younger generation Of Democrats.
To the older ones he is the one luminary
outside the Governor himself who frightened
the pathway Of Democracy during Robert Il.
Pattison's first term.
ON Cassidy, the Attorney General, Pat
tison, the Governor, leaned heavily.
at Ew" CASSIDY was not only great
- politician, but he was great crimi-
nal lawyer.
He was the central figure in one of the
closest political fights ever waged in this
city.
it was way Back in 1856, two years after
the consolidation of the city, when he was
selected as Democratic nominee for District
Attorney.
The Republicans named William B. Mann
as his opponent.
The Democratic Party in Philadelphia
was then at the zenith of its power and in
hucncc.
1t had not become n thing of shreds and
patches to be traded for in the market place.
rev men living today recall that memoir
able struggle in which every resource of
Ootn contestants was called into play.
tolohel Mann was declared defeated but
he instantly began contest.
Inc hearings were carried on for about a
year, and ut their close Judge Oswald
thompson declared Colonel Mann elected by
seventeen votes.
Six years later, in 1862, Cassidy again
contested for the place with Colonel Mann.
lie sought both vindication and revenge.
But again he was defeated, and very de-
Cisively.
POBERT E. PATTISON was n law stu
~ dent in Cassidy's Office. 1t was there
that he drank deeply from Democratic
sources.
1t was through Cassidys efforts that Pat
tiSon was elected Governor. His reward was
ms appointment as Attorney General of the
state in Pattison's first Cabinet
lie was absolutely fearless in the dis
charge of his duty
On several occasions he fiouted the opinion
of some of the leading Democratic LAWYERS
of the State.
DAVID II. LANE has good cause to re-
member Lewis c. Cassidy. 1t was under
cassidy direction that Lane was removed
from the office of Recorder of Deeds in this
city during Pattison's administration.
Inc case involved the question of the right
OF Governor to remove at his pleasure,
without the concurrence of the State SEN
ate, Recorders Of Deeds of cities of the first
class.
IL was very delicate question of law.
The late Justice John Stewart, of the Su-
premc Court, former State Senator and then
PRESIDENT Judge of the Franklin district,
opposed the idea.
Former United States Senator William A.
Wallace and Senator J. X. =. Hail. of Elk
county, and. II l am not mistaken, the
eruditc AMI able Simon =. Wolverton. were
OF the opinion that the Governor could not
exercise this power under the Constitution
without the concurrence of the Senate
Cassidy. as Attorney General, advised the
removal OF Lane, and he was sustained by
Common Pleas Court No. 3 of Philadelphia.
subsequently the Supreme Court sus-
tanned this in the opinion given by the Chief
Justice himself.
IT WAS through the efforts Of this great
L Democrat and able lawyer that some of
the most important laws were passed for the
protection of the ballot box.
'ne OF thc gravcst questions which he de-
tcrnned during his term as Attorney Gem
eral was the adjudication that the net of
Assembly to prevent bribery and fraud I'm
election was not only n lawful exercise of
legislative power, but was also an election
law within the meaning of the Constitution.
1t was under this decision that Cassidy
removed one of the County Commissioners
OF Schuylkill named John Ieanord for Sc
curing his nomination through corruption.
IT wns the first case of the kind in the
country.
ENEW politicians in the East now recall
l. the celebrated furthermore case in Fav.
cite County.
DR.. Smith Buttermore was n pbysician
residing in Connellsville.
lie was not only n leading figure in his
community, n former member of the Legis-
laturc but leading Democrat in that part
! of the State
furthermore was accused of conspiracy 70
| appropriate Tor improper use some of the
| FUNDS devoted to charity In Connellsyille
! | recall the case distinctly because I oc
companied the Appropriation committee on
its tour OF Western Pennsylvania at the
| time.
The late Mayor Patterson. of Harrisburg.
was Scrgeant-at- arms in charge of the com
| mittee.
| Through ButtcrmOres interest as n NOM
Der OF the Legislature several other men with
| himScit had secured nm appropriation for n
, hospital which did not exist.
| When the committee visited Connellsyille
| to examine the hospital they found nothing
but couple of tumble down frame houses
| which Dr. Buttermorc explained were TO be
| transformed into Il hospital
| shall never forget the appearance of the
| unfortunate physician as he endeavored to
| '' ''' ~, ''""' queries OF tnc COM
mitt"e as to his purposes and use of the
| money.
| Cassidy pursued the case with relentless
energy. although great pressure was brought
to sidetrack 1t. Buttcrmore and his cronies
were tried, convicted and sentenced.
IT Is still famous case in Fayette County
The case involved the novel question how
far those who were not within the Dauphin
County jurisdiction at the time of the con-
spiracy could be held responsible?
LYMAN O. Gilbert State Sopoto.
and General C0fr0th for the defense, held
that they could not be held responsible.
But Cassidy won
ON NOVEMBER, 1880, the former At.
~ torney General died at his home at the
junction Of the county line and Bustleton
rOad.