George X. Schwartz

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. 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.

Political career

State House He made his first foray into politics in 1952, when he was elected to one of Philadelphia County's allotted at-large seats in the Pennsylvania State House. However, he was not re-elected as a member of the county's delegation two years later. He was able to regain a seat in the 1956 election, with the help of Democratic City Committee Chairman and Congressman William J. Green Jr. He remained ward leader until stepping down in 1982.

City Council Schwartz was elected to Philadelphia City Council in a special election in 1960, winning the 4th District seat, once again with the help and encouragement of Green. He was elected Council President in 1972, when Paul D'Ortona announced he would not seek re-election to the position. Schwartz's tenure as President was marked by an active and ironfisted rule. He set the course of virtually every piece of legislation, dominated the Council's Democratic caucus, and controlled most of the political patronage. 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. He resigned as Council President six days later, and left the Council altogether three days later.

Both Schwartz and Jannotti initially claimed that they were entrapped into taking the bribes. Indeed, the Abscam investigation would later come under criticism for excess involvement by government agents seeking to push bribes on public officials. Both men were initially convicted of the charges against them, but later had their convictions overturned by the District Court, which agreed with their assertion that they were entrapped. However, the Appellate Court later reversed the District Court's decision and reinstated the verdicts. The case finally reached the Supreme Court in mid-1982, and in the first high court ruling on Abscam, the Court concurred with the Appellate Court's findings and let the convictions stand. Schwartz had been sentenced to 366 days and was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

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 2007 Mayoral campaign. Schwartz also actively supported Lynne Abraham's campaigns for District Attorney.

His wife, Jerre, died in 1994. The couple had one son, two daughters and ten grandchildren.

Death and legacy Schwartz died of complications from pneumonia at his home in Rittenhouse Square in March 2010.

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. Additionally, it was his conviction and resignation from Council that allowed Joe Coleman to ascend to the Council Presidency, becoming the first African-American to hold the office. Coleman, who wanted to distance the Council from the Abscam-related taint, sought to be a more conciliatory leader than Schwartz, leading some observers to describe the Council as unruly, and prompting Mayor Bill Green, III (the son of Schwartz's mentor) to call the Council "the worst legislative body in the free world." Coleman's successor, John Street, sought to return more power to the office of President, and was seen as instrumental in helping get Ed Rendell's legislative agenda enacted. Some observers therefore credit Schwartz with indirectly helping Rendell and Street by showing the virtues of a strong Council President.