Stephen W. Downey, California Water and Power Attorney

About this book

INTRODUCTION Since 1909, Stephen W. Downey has been engaged in legal work in Sacramento. Beginning primarily as a personal injury and criminal lawyer, he advanced through a series of positions with various public districts concerned with water and electric power to eminence as one of the leading water attorneys in the state. His work with public districts brought him into issues involving public vs. private water interests, the relations between local districts and the state and federal governments, and public districts vs. public utilities. And because water is at the heart of California's economy, Sacramento is the capital of the state, and his brother, Sheridan Downey, was United Sties Senator from California, Stephen Downey, though essentially nonpartisan, was close to state politics. Mr. Downey, slight, white-haired, quick-moving, was 71 years old at the time the following interviews were tape-recorded in his large office in the law firm of Downey, Brand, Seymour & Rohwer, located in downtown Sacramento. Though still actively engaged in his law practice, he took time out for six recording sessions from October 1956 to January 1957. A quiet-spoken, friendly man, his gentle modesty almost belied his high reputation until one became aware of the keen mind behind his unexpected humor and easy speech. In one letter regarding the then-proposed interview he wrote, "I do not have enough imagination to think anything in my life is of historic value to California. I have four children and eighteen grandchildren that are my only claim to immorality (sic)." Perhaps a part of his influence also lies in his conciliatory nature, his insistence on giving all his associates their due credit, and his unwillingness to say a bad word about anyone. This series on interviews was tape-recorded and edited by Willa Baum as part of the work of the Regional Cultural History Project, directed by Corinne L. Gilb. Associate Justice Jesse W. Carter of the California Supreme Court recommended Mr. Downey as an able participant in much of the major water and power litigation in California. Willa Baum