USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 54
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In the course of his busy career many honors were conferred upon Dr. McSweeney. In 1922 he received the honorary degree of Master of Science from the University of Vermont. Toward the close of his life he did much traveling, studying in both this country and abroad. He found time to give to banking, real estate and other interests in addition to his medical practice. He and a group of Burlington and Winooski citizens together founded the Champlain Trust Company at Winooski in 1907, and Dr. McSweeney served from that time, until its purchase in 1929 by the Burlington Trust Company, as president of the institution. He was also one of the corporators of the Burlington Savings Bank. He was a member of Delta Mu Chapter of Nu Sigma Nu. Continuously from 1906 to 1918 he was a member of the Bur- lington Board of Charities. He has belonged to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and was a charter member of the fourth degree assembly of the Knights of Columbus, as well as a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was likewise a member of the Lake Mansfield Trout Club. Politically he was a lifelong Democrat. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, being a communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and his religious devotion was deep, quiet, sincere and constant.
On June 10, 1890, Dr. Patrick Eugene McSweeney married Margaret A. McMahon, of Stowe, Vermont. They became the parents of four children:
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I. Frances, who died in infancy. 2. John Leo, who died at the age four. 3. Dr. Edward Douglas McSweeney. 4. Dr. Katherine E. McSweeney. Both of the last-named children were associated with him in the practice of medicine and surgery, and their biographies follow.
The death of Dr. Patrick Eugene McSweeney occurred September 2, 1938, in Burlington, Vermont, and was an occasion of deep sorrow and regret. Many glowing tributes were paid him, but of these the following editorial in a Burlington newspaper was perhaps one of the most interesting:
When the earthly career of a man is ended, and he passes through the portals into a Great Beyond from which we mortals are separated by an impenetrable veil, we pause to consider the character and the work of the man.
There are those whose lives may have meant much to those near and dear to them, but who seem to have lived in a little personal orbit which touched comparatively few lives. There are others, great-hearted, energetic, talented, reaching forth in many directions to give of themselves to mankind.
In this latter class was Dr. Patrick Eugene McSweeney. . . . Here was a man in whom there was no guile. He lived so that men trusted him and he had faith in men. He found joy in the giving of the best he had to others.
Following a recent trip to the Holy Land, Dr. McSweeney told a group of men one evening of his journeys there. He left a profound impression as he stated simply and sincerely the fundamentals of his faith and the joy that he found in visiting the scenes so closely associated with the Christ whom he revered and served.
Those who knew him best recognized that it was this firmly founded faith which furnished the power for the forceful and useful life which he gave to the world. And so it is that, leaving all else behind as his earthly record, that faith will move on with him into a Promised Land where it will reach its rich fulfilment.
EDWARD DOUGLAS McSWEENEY, M. D .- Dr. McSweeney was born January 20, 1898, in Burlington, Vermont, son of Dr. Patrick Eugene McSweeney (q. v.) and Margaret A. (McMahon) McSweeney. He attended both parochial and public schools in Burlington, and was a member of the class of 1919 at the University of Vermont, where he took the Bach- elor of Arts degree in that year. In 1922 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Medical School of the same institution of learning. For one year he served an interneship at the Mary Fletcher Hospital, in Burling- ton, and he also had postgraduate work at the Memorial Hospital in New York City and at the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled, also in New York, as well as at the University of Vienna, in Vienna, Austria. He studied for a time, too, at the Graduate Medical School of Harvard University. Since 1923 he has been engaged in medical practice and in surgical work in Burling- ton, with offices at No. 295 Pearl Street. He is today specializing in indus- trial surgery and gynecology.
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In addition to his regular practice, Dr. McSweeney is a member of the staffs of Mary Fletcher Hospital, the Fanny Allen Hospital and the Bishop de Goesbriand Hospital. He belongs to the Chittenden County Medical Soci- ety (of which he was formerly president), the Vermont State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and is a Fellow of the American Col- lege of Surgeons. He holds memberships also in the New England Surgical Society, the New York and New England Railway Surgeons and the New England Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. For six years he was a member of the Board of Health of the city of Burlington. Since 1937 he has been director of the Chittenden County Trust Company. He is a Demo- crat. During the World War he served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Field Artillery Corps from August to December, 1918, and was honorably discharged with that rank. He is affiliated with the Theta Nu Epsilon and Nu Sigma Nu fraternities, De Goesbriand Council of the Knights of Columbus, the Lake Mansfield Trout Club and the American Legion. He attends the Roman Catholic Church. In spare time he is fond of outdoor recreations, notably fishing and camping.
In 1927 Dr. Edward Douglas McSweeney married Ruth Casey, a native of Burlington, Vermont, and daughter of William J. and Marie (Hornkohl) Casey. The following children were born to Dr. and Mrs. McSweeney: I. Edward Douglas, Jr. 2. Marie Margaret. 3. John Richard. 4. Ruth Ann. 5. Margaret Louise. 6. Katherine Jane. 7. William James. 8. Louise Elizabeth.
KATHERINE ELLA McSWEENEY, M. D .- Dr. McSweeney was born March 4, 1901, in Burlington, Vermont, daughter of Dr. Patrick Eugene and Margaret A. (McMahon) McSweeney. Public and parochial schools in Burlington provided Dr. Katherine Ella McSweeney's early education, and in 1922 she was graduated from the University of Vermont as a Bachelor of Arts. She took her degree of Master of Arts at Columbia University in 1924, and her degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1930, at the Medical School of the University of Vermont. There followed a year of interneship at St. Vincent's Hospital, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as well as some postgraduate study at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the New York Post Graduate Med- ical School. Since 1931 she has been engaged in a general medical practice in the city of Burlington, with offices at No. 295 Pearl Street, in association with her brother. Dr. Edward Douglas McSweeney (q. v.).
Dr. McSweeney, in addition to her other work, has interested herself in every new development in her profession. She is a member of the Burling- ton and Chittenden County Clinical Society, the Vermont State Medical Soci- ety and the American Medical Association. She is a member of the staffs of the Mary Fletcher Hospital, Fanny Allen Hospital and the Bishop de Goes-
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briand Hospital, serving as attending physician at the two last-named of these. Also concerning herself with social and organizational affairs, she is connected with the Catholic Daughters of America, the Klifa Club and the Phi Beta Phi Sorority. She attends the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concep- tion of the Roman Catholic Church at Burlington.
A woman who has also devoted some time to her hobbies, Dr. McSweeney is especially interested in stamps and antiques, having fine collections of both.
HON. THOMAS F. CONWAY-The career of Thomas F. Conway, one of the outstanding sons of the Lake Champlain and Lake George Valleys, should be an inspiration not only to the youth of these historic regions, but of the nation. Starting from humble beginnings, he by his own unaided efforts has risen to a position of leadership in his profession, in statesmanship, and as philanthropist and moulder of public opinion in many different fields. Of his long and distinguished career it is to be regretted that the plan and scope of this history will permit only the briefest outline.
Born the fourth day of May, 1862, on a farm in Chesterfield, Essex County, on which his parents John and Mary Conway (née Collins), who had come to this country from Ireland prior to their marriage, had settled, he was educated at the "Little Red Schoolhouse" in his district and at the Keeseville Academy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1878. While a student there he taught district schools winters, worked on his father's farm in vaca- tions, and on his graduation became principal for a year of the Au Sable Forks High School.
On reaching majority he joined the Democratic party, in the affairs of which he has ever since taken an active and influential part in both State and Nation.
He was admitted to the bar of the State in 1884, and to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1897. On his admission to the bar he began practice in Keeseville, New York. The leisure that came to him, com- mon to all young lawyers in the early years of their practice, he devoted to continued study of the science of jurisprudence and its underlying philosophy and the interrelated social sciences of economics, government and sociology, believing that a firm grasp of the fundamental principles of these sciences was not only essential to a lawyer's highest success in his profession, but a neces- sary qualification for the higher duty of service to society in the solution of the new and baffling problems constantly arising in our increasingly complex social and economic orders which he believed a lawyer should be best qualified to solve.
In 1887 he moved to Plattsburg, where he became a member of the law firm of Riley & Conway. In 1890 he joined the firm of Palmer, Weed, Kel-
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logg & Smith, of Plattsburg, long one of the leading law firms upstate, with an extensive practice in both State and Federal courts. The firm was com- posed of ex-County Judge Peter S. Palmer, Hon. Smith M. Weed, County Judge S. Alonzo Kellogg, and Hon. William E. Smith, then first assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury in the Cleveland administration. The following year the firm was reorganized under the name of Smith, Con- way & Weed. Its trial and appellate work largely devolved on Mr. Conway, and in its performance the thoroughness of preparation for the trial of his cases and the deep knowledge of law displayed by him in their conduct in all courts soon won for him wide recognition as one of the outstanding members of his profession at the upstate bar.
Shortly after locating in Plattsburg he was chosen leader of his party in Clinton County ; and, according to the "Plattsburg Daily Press," an oppo- sition paper :
If it had not been for Thomas F. Conway, we doubt if there would be a Democratic party in existence in Clinton County today (1934). . . . It certainly would have been a moribund institution had it not been for him.
In 1916 he established the "Plattsburg Daily Republican," a Democratic daily which has had large influence in its advocacy of Democratic principles, and to the editorial page of which he has been a frequent contributor.
He has been a delegate from Clinton County to every Democratic State Convention since 1890 and also a delegate from his Congressional District to every Democratic National Convention since 1896. In 1932 he was both a district delegate and delegate-at-large from the State to the National Demo- cratic Convention held in Chicago, at which Franklin D. Roosevelt was nomi- nated, and advocated his nomination, although the majority of the State dele- gation opposed it. He has long taken an influential part in the drafting of his party's platform and in determining party policies, both State and National.
In 1898 he was nominated as Democratic candidate for the office of Attorney-General of the State, on a ticket headed by Judge Augustus Van Wyck, of Brooklyn, and although the whole ticket was defeated, he ran thou- sands of votes ahead of the head of it and was defeated by less than 10,000 votes.
In 1898 he opened law offices in New York City, where his principal prac- tice has since been conducted. He never specialized in any branch of juris- prudence, and has participated either as leading trial lawyer or counsel in many of the most important litigations of our time, and has long been recog- nized by both bench and bar as one of the leaders in his profession in State and Nation. He ever observed the finest traditions of the bar, and has been a severe critic of its members who failed to do so, whether in public office or
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in their professional practice. In an address to the 1933 graduating class of the Albany Law School, he pointed out, among other things :
The betrayal of public trust by eminent lawyers in high public positions and by the often scandalous delays in the administration of justice, coupled with its almost prohibitive cost, the blame for which was usually placed by litigants on the bar and only too often justified, brought just reproach upon the profession.
We as lawyers may not close our eyes to the fact, humiliating though it be, that many of the most serious evils in our economic life were due in great measure to a comparatively small minority of the bar whose services were ever ready to be enlisted by the very forces that caused most of them. . . . They are in large measure traceable to a comparatively few great corporations and a far-flung network of subsidiaries, affiliates and holding companies, all tied together by interlocking directorates and neither needed nor created to serve the public, but to serve as effective instrumentalities for its exploitation.
No important step could have been successfully taken in the creation or operation of this jungle of corporate entities without the aid and advice of some outstanding member or members of the bar.
It must be remembered that the only mission of the bar is the promotion of justice. It therefore should be jealous of the reputation of its members. Character is the lawyer's richest asset-lack of it his greatest handicap. It should be treasured. Bartered for legal fees or financial favors, it may lead to material wealth, but is sure to lead to moral bankruptcy.
This address received wide attention and approval both by the bar, the judiciary, and the press.
At the Democratic State Convention in 1908 his nomination for Governor was strongly urged, not only by the entire northern tier of counties, but by many others upstate. In 1910 he was nominated as candidate for the office of Lieutenant-Governor of the State, a nomination to which he strongly objected and was induced to accept only at the urgent request of the other nominees on the ticket and the party organization. He led the speaking cam- paign in that election. The entire State ticket was elected. His majority was upwards of 32,000, notwithstanding William Randolph Hearst, the famous publisher, also was an independent Democratic candidate for Lieutenant- Governor that year. During his term of office he was acting Governor of the State for six weeks. As Lieutenant-Governor, he was not only President of the Senate, but also chairman ex-officio of the following State boards and posi- tions by which the greater part of the State's public service is carried on: The Tax Board, the Canal Board, the Land Board, Board of Trustees of Public Buildings, and chairman of the State Fair Commission. He took an active and influential part in the performance of their important duties, contrary to general understanding in the past that the Lieutenant-Governor's activities on such boards and positions were expected to be merely perfunctory. He appointed the memberships and chairmanships of all standing committees of
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the Senate, believing that the custom prevailing in the past of permitting this most important power to be exercised by sources outside the Senate and in no way responsible to the people gave undue influence to such sources in the shaping or enactment of legislation or to kill it in committee. His exercise of this power amazed both party organizations, more especially as in its exercise he entirely ignored the list of such committees and their memberships which had been made up by the party organization before his induction into office.
He introduced the innovation of delivering to the Senate at the opening of its annual sessions an address by the Lieutenant-Governor, outlining his views as to its duties in the consideration and enactment of important legislation pledged in the party platform. It was stated in the press at the time that his addresses to the Senate received an attention both by that body and the public "in strong contrast to that which the Governor's annual message received." Of his first address, the "Ithaca Journal" of January 5, 1912, said, among other things :
The address delivered by the Lieutenant-Governor in opening the Senate session attracted the attention of the politicians, as it was intended it should.
In that address he said :
Too often pledges made before election have been ignored afterwards, and hence the growing belief that officials chosen to represent the interests of the people as a whole often do so only insofar as a political boss or machine will permit them.
If the members of this important body will collectively and individually resent and fearlessly reject, as I believe they will, any attempt to influence their action from sources outside this chamber, except by legitimate argument, and make their votes upon each measure proposed or adopted record their independent judgment, they will have done much to increase popular confi- dence in our democratic institutions, and especially in our legislative bodies.
Shortly after taking office, in responding to the toast, "The Office Holder," at a banquet of the officers of the National Guard at Albany, he gave his views of the duties and qualifications of officeholders. Of this address the "Albany Argus," in its issue of January 15, 19II, said :
The words of the Lieutenant-Governor have a particular significance just now, spoken by a man of so large importance in the administration of the affairs of the State. Governor Conway sets a very high standard of duty of public officials right at the very beginning of the Democratic administration. His address attracted attention throughout the State; has heartened those who have had misgivings in reference to the new administration ; and has confirmed the high hope and expectations held by all who look for the best in public affairs during the Democratic régime.
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And the "Lockport Union," in its issue of January 19, 19II :
Lieutenant-Governor Conway made a speech at the annual dinner of the National Guard Association which is attracting statewide attention.
The "Schenectady Star," in its issue of January 20, 19II :
Lieutenant-Governor Conway's advice to electors and appointing powers should be heeded by those who desire the best in public affairs.
As presiding officer of the Senate he was often called upon to make parlia- mentary decisions on many important questions without precedent. Speaking of them, the "New York Evening Mail" commented :
Lieutenant-Governor Conway's rulings show him not only to be inde- pendent, but they indicate ability of a high order. He did not hesitate to establish precedents, and so sound and convincing were the reasons given for his rulings that he achieved the remarkable record of never having one of them overruled.
The "Amsterdam Sentinel" (Independent), in its issue of April 19, 1912, speaking of the sentiment in favor of Lieutenant-Governor Conway's nomi- nation for Governor, said :
As President of the Senate he has made an enviable record, and both Republican and Democratic leaders in that body have publicly acknowledged that he is the most able presiding officer the Senate has had in many years.
At the close of the first long session of the Senate, lasting over seven months, the tribute paid him by not only the minority leader, but many of the minority Senators, was, as reported in the "Buffalo News Bureau" at the time, "the most remarkable incident within the memory of legislators and legislative correspondents." The "Plattsburg Daily Star" (Independent), in its issue of December 24, 1912, said :
Lieutenant-Governor Conway has made a new office out of the Lieutenant- Governorship of the State of New York. Formerly it was a mere shell of an office, with few duties and those mostly per functory.
When in the early summer of 1912 it became evident that Governor Dix would not be renominated, a widespread sentiment arose, particularly upstate, that in that event Lieutenant-Governor Conway should be nominated as candi- date for Governor to succeed him, as a reference to the press of the time will show. As being typical of expressions in a large section of the press regard- ing his qualifications and the reasons why he should be nominated as candi. date for the Governorship may be cited the following :
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The "Upstate Democrat" of Schuylerville, in an editorial in its issue of April 17, 1912, said in part :
We repeat that every citizen who is hoping for the best in the administra- tion of our State government will welcome the possibility that Lieutenant- Governor Conway may become Governor. . . Above all is the fact, which is often expressed in the gossip of the Capital, that Governor Conway is intel- lectually a giant among his fellows. His keen analysis of situations and his judgments and conclusions, which search the very heart of every question which he discusses, are the cause of genuine admiration upon the part of his associates. Because of all these facts and others which might well be stated, it is a fair conclusion that there is no man in our State who is better equipped for meeting the responsibilities which fall upon the Governor of our State than is Thomas F. Conway.
This editorial was widely quoted and approved. The sentiment in favor of his nomination was especially strong among farmers, because, as the "New York Evening Mail" pointed out :
His addresses before the State Grange showed a clear grasp of the agri- cultural needs of the State, and have been widely circulated and approved by the farmers of the State.
When, however, the Democratic State Convention met for the nomination of the State ticket in the fall of 1912, the so-called "downstate" organization of the party, controlled by the then leader of Tammany Hall, dominated the convention, and while conceding Lieutenant-Governor Conway's high qualifi- cations for the office of Governor, insisted that the party candidate for the Governorship that year must be taken from downstate, as the present Gov- ernor was a resident of upstate, and William Sulzer, of New York City, was nominated. Mr. Conway had stated early in his term of office that he would not be a candidate for renomination or for the Governorship if Governor Dix desired it, but that if he were not renominated or would not accept a renomi- nation he would be a candidate to succeed him. As the "New York Press" said in its issue of June 9, 1912:
The Clinton County man frankly is a candidate for first place on the State ticket. He aspired to the Governorship nomination in Rochester two years ago, and it was with difficulty he was persuaded to accept second place.
A man of large means and with an important law practice in New York, Conway can afford to be independent, and it is understood that it will be the Governorship or nothing with him in the next State convention. Should Dix decide he does not care for a second term, or be set aside as unavailable by the party leaders, Conway's chances for the nomination ought to be good.
Mr. Conway was offered a renomination, but declined it.
Mr. Conway was a strong advocate of the nomination of Woodrow Wil-
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son for President at the Baltimore convention, although the majority of the delegates from the State of New York strongly opposed it, and he continued to be President Wilson's close friend and adviser during both of his terms as President. After his election not only his party organization in New York, but a large section of the press and public strongly recommended to the President his appointment as a member of his cabinet in the position of United States Attorney-General. Geographical considerations in the make-up of the Wilson cabinet, however, prevented his appointment. He was offered other important positions under the Wilson administration, but declined them, pre- ferring to continue his professional and other activities.
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