The Penn's Grove record., 1894-04-13


Alexander G. Cattell, = native of Sa-
lem county and the only one we know
of who ever reached the T.. S. Senate,
died On Sunday night at jamestown,
y. Y, where he has been for about six
months under medical treatment. None
of the present generation in this yicin.
ity knew him but some of the old men do
He was born in Salem, February II,
1sl6. After receiving an academic
education in Salem, he entered mer.
camille life, taking a place in his
fathers store. He was elected to the
New Jersey LEGISLATURE in 1910, was
Clerk OF the House in 1928, and was
the youngest member of the Constitu-
tional Convention In 1874. He became
a merchant in Philadelphia in 1916,
with l.. y. james, and later with his
brother Elijah G. Cattell. He was a
director in the Mechanics Bank and a
member of the City Council from 1S4S
until 1853.
After serving a one of the first Pres
idents of the Corn Exchange Associa.
ton, be organized the Corn Exchange
Bank of Philadelphia, in 1857, and was
for the succeeding IL years its Presi-
dent.
In 1866 lie resumed his residence in
New Jersey, and for many years lived
at Merchantville, of which LIE was prac-
tically the founder.
From 1866 to 1871 he represented the
State of New Jersey in the United
Slater Senate, and declined a r~e-elec-
ton because of failing health. He was
elected to fill the vacancy caused by
the ~unseating Of John p. Stockton,
Democrat. The State Senate was Re-
publican by a majority of l. The Pres
ident being a Republican, voted steadily
against going into joint convention to
elect a Senator, and thereby defeated
Mr.. Cattelfs election for some months
after the vacancy occurred. This led to
the adoption by Congress of the act
which now regulates the election of
Federal Senators. The two branches
Of a Legislature are required to meet in
joint convention two weeks after their
organization. Mr.. Cattell's election
followed Immediately after the passage
of the new law, and he took his seat on
December 3. 1866.
While a Senator he served OIL the
Finance and Library Committees. He
declined the appointment of Commits
sioner of the District of Columbia, but
soon afterwards President Grant ap.
pointed him a member of the first Civil
Service Commission, of which George
William Curtis was President. After
filling that position for two years, in
1878 Mr.. Cattell resigned to become the
financial agent of the United States in
England, TO refund at a lower rate of
interest the Government six per cent.
bonds held in that country. He spent
mi year in London, and succeeded in
%refunding $780, 900, 600 at five per cent.
Mr.. Cattell was engaged in II number
of enterprises throughout his native
State, and, with Edward S. Hall, or.
ganized the New Jersey Trust and Safe
Deposit Company, of which he was
President for several years.
He bad been President of the State
Board of Assessors, charged with the
taxation of railroad and corporate prop
erty, and was the author of several eX-
haustive reports Of the same, which
have been submitted to the Legislature,
He was also a member of the State
Board of Education. His brother, Rev.
William c. Cattell, LII. D., vas Presi.
dent of Lafayette College for twenty
years.
Over forty years ago his health broke
down, and on several occasions he was
forced to retire temporarily from active
pursuits. Early this year he again was
Frustrated, and has since been under
treatment at the home Of DR.. Living.
stone, in Jamestown, N. Y. No child
rem survive the deceased, but he has a
foster daughter. President Grant re-
garded Senator Cattell as one of his
trusted friends.