Representative Augustus William Cutler

Augustus William Cutler (October 22, 1827 – January 1, 1897) was a 19th-century American politician and lawyer from New Jersey who served as a Democratic Representative in the United States Congress from 1875 to 1879. A great-grandson of Silas Condict, a prominent Revolutionary-era statesman and former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Cutler was part of a family long involved in public affairs in the state. His ancestry and upbringing in New Jersey helped shape his later career in law and politics and grounded his commitment to public service.

Cutler pursued a legal education and was admitted to the bar, establishing himself as a practicing lawyer in New Jersey. Through his legal work he became familiar with the issues affecting his community and the state, gaining experience in matters of property, commerce, and local governance. This professional background provided a foundation for his later legislative work, as he brought to Congress the perspective of a practicing attorney who understood the practical implications of federal and state law on ordinary citizens.

Entering public life as a member of the Democratic Party, Cutler became active in New Jersey politics during a period of significant national change in the decades following the Civil War. His political alignment reflected the Democratic Party’s positions in the postwar era, and he participated in the vigorous debates over reconstruction, economic policy, and the evolving role of the federal government. His reputation as a lawyer and his family’s longstanding political connections contributed to his emergence as a candidate for national office.

Cutler was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives and served two consecutive terms from 1875 to 1879, representing New Jersey during the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses. His tenure in Congress coincided with a significant period in American history marked by the end of Reconstruction, contested national elections, and ongoing debates over civil rights, economic development, and federal authority. As a member of the House of Representatives, Augustus William Cutler participated in the legislative process, contributed to debates, and represented the interests of his New Jersey constituents in the national legislature. He took part in the democratic process at a time when the country was redefining its political and social institutions in the aftermath of the Civil War.

During his congressional service, Cutler worked within the Democratic caucus as it sought to influence federal policy in an era of shifting political majorities. While specific committee assignments and sponsored measures are less extensively documented, his role as a voting member of the House placed him at the center of deliberations on appropriations, national infrastructure, and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. His two terms in office reflected the confidence of his district in his ability to articulate and defend their interests in Washington.

After leaving Congress in 1879, Cutler returned to New Jersey and resumed his legal and civic activities. Remaining identified with the Democratic Party, he continued to be regarded as a figure of experience and standing in state and local affairs. His post-congressional years were spent in the practice of law and in the quieter pursuits of private life, informed by his years of public service and his longstanding engagement with the political life of New Jersey.

Augustus William Cutler died on January 1, 1897. His career as a lawyer and legislator, together with his connection to the prominent Condict family, placed him within a continuing tradition of New Jersey public service. Serving two terms in the United States House of Representatives during a transformative era in American history, he contributed to the legislative work of the nation while representing the concerns and perspectives of his New Jersey constituents.