George X. Schwartz
George X. Schwartz | |
---|---|
President of the Philadelphia City Council | |
In office January 3, 1972 – May 29, 1980 | |
Preceded by | Paul D'Ortona |
Succeeded by | Joseph E. Coleman |
Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 4th district | |
In office January 4, 1960 – June 1, 1980 | |
Preceded by | Samuel Rose |
Succeeded by | Ann J. Land |
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Philadelphia County district | |
In office January 1, 1957 – January 4, 1960 | |
In office January 6, 1953 – November 30, 1954 | |
Personal details | |
Born | New York City, U.S. | January 28, 1915
Died | March 26, 2010 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged 95)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Jerre |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | Temple University |
George X. Schwartz (January 28, 1915 – March 26, 2010) was a Democratic politician who served as a member of the Philadelphia City Council for two decades.
Early life
Though he was born in New York City, Schwartz grew up in West Philadelphia, the son of a successful real estate broker.[1] He graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1932, earned an undergraduate degree from Temple University in 1936, and graduated from Temple Law School in 1940.[2]
Political career
State House
He made his first foray into politics in 1952, when he was elected to one of
Leader of the 34th Democratic Ward
In 1962, Schwartz became the leader of the 34th Ward in West Philadelphia, defeating Leontina Papa by a vote of 56 to 23.[3] He remained ward leader until stepping down in 1982.[4]
City Council
Schwartz was elected to Philadelphia City Council in
Schwartz occasionally clashed with Mayor Frank Rizzo. When Schwartz refused to join Rizzo in opposing Arlen Specter's 1973 bid for a third term as District Attorney, Rizzo ordered his Police Commissioner to form a special hand-picked 34-member police squad to spy on Schwartz.[6] He would come to be known by the nickname "the silver fox" while he was serving on the Council, due to his graying hair, distinguished figure, and political clout.[2]
During his tenure as Council President, he brought several Philadelphia politicians onto his staff, including Lynne Abraham to do legislative and policy work for him. Schwartz also got Bob Brady (Later a Congressman and longtime and incumbent head of Philadelphia's Democratic Party) his first political job as a sergeant-at-arms for City Council proceedings.[2]
Abscam involvement
In January 1980, Schwartz met with two men at a suite at the
Schwartz was indicted on charges of accepting a bribe, extortion and conspiracy on May 23, 1980.[7] He resigned as Council President six days later, and left the Council altogether three days later.[8]
Both Schwartz and Jannotti initially claimed that they were
Both men began serving their sentences in Federal Prison on April 22, 1985.[11] Schwartz had been sentenced to 366 days and was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.[12]
Later life
After his release from prison, Schwartz largely remained out of politics. He did maintain contact with Bob Brady, who had succeeded him as leader of Democratic City Committee's 34th Ward, and supported his
His wife, Jerre, died in 1994. The couple had one son, two daughters and ten grandchildren.[2]
Death and legacy
Schwartz died of complications from pneumonia at his home in Rittenhouse Square in March 2010.[2]
His continuing political legacy was largely shaped by the careers he helped launch both by virtue of his power, as well as his downfall. He is seen as instrumental in the successful political careers of both Abraham and Brady.
References
- ^ "Schwartz, George X." Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Davis, Carolyn (March 28, 2010). "George X. Schwartz, 1915-2010 Council maestro, Abscam figure". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ProQuest 1845499629
- ^ GALLAGHER, MARIA. "POLITICS STILL TURNS BRADY'S LIGHT ON." Philadelphia Daily News (PA), June 19, 1986: 05. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/0EB298C35E2C74A5
- ^ "Sugar Signs For Basilio Title Fight". The Milwaukee Sentinel. May 13, 1959. Retrieved February 18, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Goldsmith, Phil (April 8, 2010). "The Silver Fox Still Casts A Long Shadow". The Philadelphia Post. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ Franklin, Ben A. (May 23, 1980). "3 in Philadelphia Council Indicted By U.S. in Inquiry on Corruption". The New York Times. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ Franklin, Ben A. (May 29, 1980). "Indicted Philadelphia Official Quits Post". The New York Times. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ a b "High Court Bars Abscam Review". The Press-Courier. June 7, 1982. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "729 F.2d 213". United States of America Vs. Jannotti, Harry P., and Schwartz, George X. F2d (729). Open Jurist: 213. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "Jannotti, Schwartz In Prisons". The Philadelphia Daily News. April 23, 1985. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "Prison For Schwartz, Jannotti". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 1, 1983. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
External links
- Philadelphia Inquirer Article Collections: Abscam archival of selected news