Charles H. Tuttle | |
---|---|
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York | |
In office April 6, 1927 – September 29, 1930 | |
Appointed by | Calvin Coolidge |
Preceded by | Emory Buckner |
Succeeded by | Robert E. Manley (Acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | New York City, New York | April 21, 1879
Died | January 26, 1971 91) New York City, New York | (aged
Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Lake George, New York |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Helene L. Wheeler (m. 1907) |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | Columbia University Columbia Law School |
Charles Henry Tuttle (April 21, 1879 – January 26, 1971) was an American lawyer, politician and civic activist. He was the 1930 Republican nominee for Governor of New York in the election against Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Early life and education
Born in New York City on April 21, 1879, he was raised by his mother and his grandfather Isaac H. Tuttle following the death of his father H. Croswell Tuttle.[1][2]
Tuttle received a bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1899. He received his law degree from Columbia Law School in 1902, passed the bar and became an attorney.[3]
Start of career
From 1902 to 1927 Tuttle was a lawyer with the New York City firm of Davies, Stone and Auerbach.[4][5] He also became active in the New York City Republican party.[6][7][8]
Service as U.S. Attorney
In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge appointed Tuttle as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.[9][10][11]
During his three years as a prosecutor Tuttle earned a reputation as an anticorruption crusader, winning convictions of numerous public officials, including federal Judge Francis A. Winslow and Kings County Judge W. Bernard Vause.[12][13][14][15] During Tuttle's investigation into Tammany Hall's connection to organized crime and corruption, he discovered that Vause was paid $190,000 in return for obtaining pier leases for a shipping company.[16]
In another Tuttle case, Judge Albert Vitale was accused of owing $19,600 to gangster Arnold Rothstein, and was investigated by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for failing to explain how he accrued $165,000 over four years while receiving a total judicial salary of $48,000 during that same period.[17] Vitale was removed from the bench and George Ewald, who succeeded him, was accused of paying Tammany Hall $10,000 in order to obtain the seat.[18]
In 1927 Tuttle led an investigation into price gouging by Broadway ticket agencies.[19][20][21][22][23]
During his term as U.S. Attorney Tuttle also successfully prosecuted several crooked bail bondsmen.[24][25][26]
Tuttle also successfully prosecuted the Moscahlades and Dachis Brothers arson rings, organizations responsible for several for profit fires in New York City.[27][28][29][30]
In 1928 the British cruise ship Vestris sank and 111 passengers and crew were killed, including American tourists.[31][32][33] Tuttle investigated, and his work led to major reforms in international maritime safety.[34][35][36]
In 1930 Tuttle sent Albany's Democratic political boss Daniel P. O'Connell to jail in New York City for contempt of court. Tuttle was investigating illegal activities in Albany, including gambling, and O'Connell refused to answer his questions.[37][38][39]
1930 campaign for New York Governor
Tuttle's high profile as U.S. Attorney made him a likely candidate for political office, and on September 17, 1930, he resigned as U.S. Attorney in anticipation of running for governor. He won the Republican nomination at the state party's September 26 convention.[40][41][42][43][44][45]
Although he described himself personally as "dry" on the issue of Prohibition (in favor of keeping alcohol production and consumption illegal), Tuttle favored repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment and argued that individual states, not the federal government, should be free to regulate alcohol as they saw fit. He hoped to campaign on an anticorruption platform, but his opposition to federal prohibition drew fierce criticism from rural Drys. Deciding that he was not sufficiently in favor of Prohibition, the Drys fielded a third party candidate.[46][47][48][49][50][51]
The Drys argued that Tuttle was too weakly for prohibition, New York Democrats argued that Tuttle was a Wet (because he favored repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. During the campaign, Democrats mocked the Republican ticket of Tuttle (an alleged Wet) and lieutenant governor nominee Caleb Baumes (a prominent Dry who supported the Eighteenth Amendment) as asking for votes by trying to please all sides on the Prohibition issue.[52][53][54]
On November 4 Tuttle lost to Roosevelt by what was then the largest plurality in New York State history. Roosevelt's victory was attributed to Tuttle's position on Prohibition, as well as the hard economic times of the Great Depression, for which voters blamed Republicans. As a result of his landslide, Roosevelt became the frontrunner for the presidency in 1932.[55][56][57][58]
Later career and civic activism
After losing the race for governor, Tuttle returned to practicing law as senior partner in the firm of Breed, Abbott & Morgan.[59][60][61] He also served on the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Commission and maintained an active role in the Republican party.[62][63][64][65]
Tuttle was also active in numerous charities and civic causes. From 1913 to 1966 he was a member of the City College of New York board of trustees.[66] He chaired his local Selective Service Board during both World War I and World War II.[67][68] An advocate of racial integration, Tuttle helped draft New York State's law against discriminatory hiring.[69][70] Active in the Episcopal church, he worked to advance tolerance and ecumenical unity with Catholic and Jewish leaders as a leader of the Greater New York Federation of Churches.[71][72][73][74][75]
In 1945 Tuttle received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre from the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. Through the 1940s, Tuttle was one of only four Americans to have received the award, with the other three being Presidents Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman.[76]
Retirement and death
After retiring from practicing law, Tuttle was counsel emeritus at Breed, Abbott & Morgan. He also maintained a summer home in Lake George and served for many years as counsel for the Lake George Association. Tuttle died in New York City on January 26, 1971, and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Lake George, New York.[77][78][79][80][81]
Personal
In 1907 Tuttle married Helene L. Wheeler of Oswego, New York.[82] Mrs. Tuttle was born on November 12, 1881, and died on October 6, 1968.[83][84] They had four children, son H. Croswell Tuttle, and three daughters, Evelyn, Charlotte and Helene Jasmine.[85][86][87][88][89][90][91]
See also
References
- ↑ Branch Rickey, by Jimmy Breslin, 2011, Chapter 6
- ↑ The City College Quarterly, published by College of the City of New York, Volume 9, 1913, page 143
- ↑ Catalogue of officers and graduates of Columbia University, published by the university, 1916, page 182
- ↑ Newspaper article, Two men a Day Hurt in Blasting?, New York Times, February 17, 1907
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle as Student Excelled in Debate, New York Times, October 5, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Hylan Gives Advice to the Republicans; Tells C.H. Tuttle They Should Stop Finding Fault and Support His Program, New York Times, March 28, 1925
- ↑ Newspaper article, Asks Central Rule for Republicans; Tuttle Says Party Should Have Organization Like Tammany for City Politics, New York Times, November 24, 1925
- ↑ Newspaper article, Young Republican Dinner; Charles H. Tuttle Will Speak Tonight on Organization Work, New York Times, July 18, 1926
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle is favored for Buckner Post, New York Times, March 10, 1927
- ↑ Hilles for Tuttle in Buckner's Post, New York Times, March 29, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle is Appointed to Succeed Buckner, New York Times, March 30, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Accused Judge Resigns, by Associated press, published in Rochester Evening Journal, April 1, 1929
- ↑ Newspaper article, obituary, ex-Judge Winslow, New York Times, March 30, 1932
- ↑ Newspaper article, Jurist is Accused of Accepting Fees, Baltimore Sun, May 11, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Vause Loses Plea to Escape Jail, New York Times, December 22, 1931
- ↑ Garrett, Charles (1961). The La Guardia Years. New Brunswick NJ: Rutgers University Press. p. 65 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Muston, Kimit (November 17, 2018). "Calling Judge Crater: Chapter Four". History in Context Every Day. Lafayette, IN: The Public "I".
- ↑ Allen, Oliver E. (1993). The Tiger: The Rise and Fall of Tammany Hall. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. pp. 233, 243. ISBN 0-201-62463-X.
- ↑ Newspaper article, Ticket Speculators Are Gouging Public, Prescott Evening Courier, July 20, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Acts to Stop Fight Ticket Gouge, New York Times, July 20, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Ready to Act in New Ticket Gouge, New York Times, August 27, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle is Defied by Ticket Agency, New York Times, November 5, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Scores Ticket Gouging; Producer Says Not Any Show Is Worth $6.60 an Admission, New York Times, March 23, 1928
- ↑ Newspaper article, Whalen Demands Data on Bail Graft; Tells Tuttle It Is His "Duty" to Turn Over Grand Jury's Charges Against Police, New York Times, January 26, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, 300 Brokers Face Bail Bond Inquiry, New York Times, February 2, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Grand Jury Indicts 2 Bronx Bondsmen, New York Times, March 1, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Six Plead Guilty in Warehouse Fire, New York Times, November 10, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Eight in Arson Gang Get Prison Terms, New York Times, November 12, 1927
- ↑ Newspaper article, Face Arson Charges: Furriers Accused of Hiring Man to Fire Shops, Reading Eagle, March 18, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Fur Incendiaries Enter Guilty Plea, New York Times, April 17, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, 339 Take to Lifeboats as Liner Vestris Sinks, New York Times, November 13, 1928
- ↑ newspaper article, Survivors Relate Tales Of Heroism As Vestris Sinks, Owosso Argus-Press, November 16, 1928
- ↑ Newspaper article, Vestris Disaster A Mystery, Testifies Her Former Skipper, Baltimore Sun, November 22, 1928
- ↑ Newspaper article, Ship Engineer Says Crew Quit, Toledo News-Bee, November 23, 1928
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Wants Aids to More Safety at Sea, Baltimore Sun, November 24, 1928
- ↑ Newspaper article, Ship Disaster Laid to Federal Laxity; Tuttle Declares Government Failed to Adopt Devices Urged After Vestris Inquiry, New York Times, October 2, 1934
- ↑ Newspaper article, Albany Politician Sent to Jail for Court Contempt, by Associated Press, published in Meriden Record, August 2, 1929
- ↑ Newspaper article, O'Connell Gives Up; Bail Set at $30,000; Politician Sought on Perjury Charge in Baseball Pool Surrenders in Albany, New York Times, January 8, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, O'Connell in Court, Fights Coming Here, New York Times, January 23, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Boom Gains, New York Times, August 10, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Demands Dry Repeal, by Associated Press, published in Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, September 17, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Newburgher on State Ticket, Newburgh News, September 27, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Charles Tuttle is Party Leader, Gettysburg Times, September 27, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle's Resignation Accepted By Hoover, Hartford Courant, September 28, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Hoover Sends Tuttle Thank You Note, But no Hint of Support, Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, State Drys Move to Name Candidate; Charles H. Tuttle Consults the Oracle, New York Times, September 26, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, New York Drys Will Put Third Party In Field, Meriden Daily Journal, September 27, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Won't Sign a State Dry Law Like Volstead Act; In Reply to Roosevelt, He Pledges Dry Enforcement Under Nuisance Statute, New York Times, October 3, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Baumes Shuns Stand of Tuttle on Repeal; Says He Will Back Running Mate Fully, But Is Not Ready to Give His Prohibition Views, New York Times, October 4, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Drys to Nominate Dr. Carroll Today, New York Times, October 7, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper column, Why I cannot support Mr. Tuttle, by S.E. Nicholson, The Canaseraga Times, October 16, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Lehman Attacks Baumes as Dry-Wet, New York Times, October 16, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Smith Ridicules Republican Wets; They Illustrate Latest "Duck and Dodge" of Party on Prohibition, He Says New York Times, October 31, 1930
- ↑ Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom, by Conrad Black, 2005, page 206
- ↑ Newspaper column, Daily Washington Letter, by Rodney Dutcher, Southeast Missourian, August 12, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Roosevelt Reelected Governor of New York; Democratic Executive Carries Entire Ticket With Him in Statewide Sweep; Plurality Sets Record, Reading Eagle, November 5, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Latest Election Returns, by Associated Press, published in Lincoln Telegraph-Herald, November 6, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Cox Praises Roosevelt; Suggests Governor Is "Logical" 1932 Candidate, New York Times, October 2, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Chas. Tuttle to Resume Law Work in New York, Newburgh News, November 8, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, C.H. Tuttle Attacks Trust Law Methods, New York Times, May 28, 1940
- ↑ Newspaper article, Church Leaders Ok Funds For Ghettoes, Miami News, September 15, 1967
- ↑ Newspaper article, Area Study Urged on Transit Needs; Tuttle Asks Up to $1,000,000 for it -- Would Include Loop Railroad Link to Jersey, New York Times, December 8, 1954
- ↑ Newspaper article, Head Metropolitan Transit Agency, New York Times, September 22, 1955
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Elected Head of Republican Club, New York Times, April 25, 1951
- ↑ Newspaper article, Republicans Choose New York Delegates, New York Times, February 8, 1952
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle, Trustee for 50 Years, To Be Honored by City College, New York Times, April 28, 1963
- ↑ Newspaper article, Board 145 First to Examine Men Called in Draft, New York Times, July 31, 1917
- ↑ Newspaper article, Oxford Group Used for Dodging Draft, by Associated Press, published in Regina Leader-Post, January 5, 1943
- ↑ Newspaper article, Racial Tolerance Urged by Tuttle; Former Federal Attorney Talks at Breakfast of St. George Society Group Here, New York Times, June 12, 1944
- ↑ Report, Matter of Board of Higher Education v. Carter, New York Court of Appeals Reports, April 2, 1964
- ↑ Newspaper article, Topics of Interest to the Churchgoer; District Attorney Tuttle Will Speak Tuesday at Men's Presbyterian Dinner, New York Times, January 25, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Hearing On Cathedral Row Set Back Until Next Wednesday, Lewiston Morning Tribune, December 11, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, 6 Cited for Work for Human Rights; Charles H. Tuttle and Newton D. Baker Among Those Honored by B'nai B'rith Lodge, New York Times, November 25, 1936
- ↑ Newspaper article, Constitution Held 3 Faiths' Bulwark; Protestant, Catholic and Jew Speak in Fair Symposium on Religious Freedom, New York Times, May 9, 1939
- ↑ Newspaper article, Church Group Opposes Change, by United Press International, published in Bonham Daily Favorite, April 29, 1964
- ↑ Newspaper article, Grand Cross for Tuttle; Highest Honor of the Eastern Orthodox Church Conferred, New York Times, June 4, 1945
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Makes Plea for Lake George; U.S. Attorney Begins Drive to Increase Membership in the Association, New York Times, July 8, 1928
- ↑ Newspaper article, Meet at Lake George; Cottagers' Association Re-elects Officers--Want a Police Patrol, New York Times, August 17, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Formal Opening of Lake George Beach, The Warrensburg News, June 14, 1951
- ↑ Reports, People v. System Properties, New York Court of Appeals Reports, February 28, 1957
- ↑ Social Security Death Index
- ↑ Newspaper article, Charles H. Turtle, Civic Leader Here for Many Years, Dies at 91, New York Times, January 27, 1971
- ↑ The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy, published by F.A. Virkus & Co., Volume 2, 1926, page 80
- ↑ Newspaper article, Mrs. Charles H. Tuttle, Wife of Lawyer, is Dead, New York Times, October 7, 1968
- ↑ Newspaper article, Evelyn Tuttle Wed to Lieut. Horne Jr.; Daughter of U.S. Attorney Is Married by Right Rev. A.S. Lloyd, Suffragan Bishop, New York Times, May 17, 1930
- ↑ Newspaper article, Tuttle Family is Happy; Wife and Three Children Cheer Nomination at Albany, New York Times, September 27, 1930
- ↑ LaGuardia in Albany; Will Attend Charlotte Tuttle's Wedding at Lake George, New York Times, July 11, 1934
- ↑ Newspaper article, R.B. Bryant to Wed Helene J. Tuttle; Son of Judge to Marry Daughter of C.H. Tuttles, New York Times, March 25, 1940
- ↑ Newspaper article, C.H. Tuttle, Lawyer, Dies, Baltimore Sun, January 27, 1971
- ↑ Obituary, H. Croswell Tuttle, Glens Falls Post-Star, December 8, 2006
- ↑ Obituary, Jasmine Tuttle Bryant, Syracuse Post-Standard, November 30, 2008
External links
- Charles H. Tuttle at Find a Grave
- Finding Aid to the Charles H. Tuttle Papers, New York State Library, accessed February 8, 2011
- Film Clip, Charles H. Tuttle with family after winning gubernatorial nomination, September 30, 1930, Critical Past.com web site, accessed February 8, 2011
- Profile page, Life Stories of a Celebrated Lawyer in New York and Lake George: The Memoirs of Charles H. Tuttle, Esq, Amazon.com, accessed February 8, 2011