The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-03-14
A Model Supervisor

Farmers Friend.
\ few years ago the citizens Of
Lower Merton township elected Mr.
A. j. Cassat, Vice President of th,
Pcnnsylvapia Railroad Compluy. To
the Office of supervisor for the town
ship. SO well has Mr.. Cassal dis.
charged the duties of this position
that the people have retained his
valuable services in that capacity.
The roads have been improved on
scientific plans, and the taxpayers
huye received the largest possible
benefit from the money expended
Lower Merton township is couyiuc.
ing proof that it pays in every way
to elect thoroughly competent men
to the Office of township supervisor.
OF course there are but few districts
that can secure the services Of one
so competent as Mr. Cassatt, but all
should do the best they can.
The Public ledger, of Philadcl-
in speaking of this matter says odi-
torially:
When Mr.. Cassatt, as road super.
visor of Lower Merton township. re.
fused TO permit the Gladwyno Elcc.
trc Railroad Co. to occupy certain
roads unless they should be widen
eel ut the company's expense, the
Lodger commended the stand he
had taken, as he had simply laid
down rules that ought to be made n
part of the law. As he is candi-
date for reelection, an effort was
made to beat him by declaring that
he was opposed TO trolley roads,
but the people of Lower Merton are
intelligent enough TO know that he
was simply guarding their interests,
and this fact having become appar-
ent during the canvass, the Phila-
delphia and Rose1ont 90. has COM
plntelv 81 1nsathe y. y'n...s ~ FIRST
getting tiid JUR/sae OF a large ma
iority of the residents along Haver-
ford road to the construction of its
liue, and then agreeing TO accept
the other conditions laid down by
Mr.. Cassatt. Thus the township
will get its trolley line, but under
much more favorable conditions
than if Mr.. Cassatt had not protect.
ed the interests of all property own
ers."
Other supervisors, through whose
districts trolley companies are striv-
ing for the right of way, can learn n
valuable lesson from the course pur.
sued by Mr.. Cassatt. 1t is always
best to stand by the interests of the
people.
In the country districts the trolley
is paralleling the railroads, and seek
ing every populous community by
the public roads heretofore free
from track encumbrances. Turn
pike companies succumb readily to
the overtures of trolley companies,
but, what is worse, local authorities
are almost eager to give up the pub
lie roads unconditionally to trolley
companies, to occupy, possess and
use them as they please. Just as the
State was nearly ripe for country
road Improvement the trolley COM
panies intervene and spoil what
roads there are, and discourage per-
manent road improvement. II troll
ley companies wish to follow the
highway they should be compelled
to widen it at their own expense 30
as to provide themselves q clear
track without encumbering the com
mon driveway. Country roads need
not and should not have a wide
driveway, but the driveway sh ould
be clear of trolley tracks. II the
right men have been selected for
the people who have oc-
casion to use the public highways
will be protected against the en-
croachments of the trolley COM
panies.