New-York tribune., 1902-04-06

politics" But it is also said that IL the company
should at any time its influence in that line
it would find able counsellor and poIiucai
diplomat in it's president Mr.. Cassatt. For nine
teen years he intrusted by his constituents
with an office Of great responsibility being elected
annually without opposition. and his retirernent
years ago from this place of public trust was
deeply regretted by those whom he had served so
well. Possibly the biographers of Mr. Cassatt may
neglect inform pOsterity as to his achievements
in lines political. but a member of Mr. Cassatt $
first cabinet tells how Mr.. Cassatt entered ana
remained long in the political field
1T was about twenty years ago" said Mr.
Cooper. that Mr. Cassatt sent for me and an
other of his trusted friends. Then, as now. MT
Cassatt lived in the township of Merton and L
lust across the line in Delaware County. Our con-
ference was in secret. Mr.. Cassatt. with that
cearness and brevity which characterizes all of his
statements, quickly unfolded his plan. He was
deeply Interested in the subject of good roads IN
order secure them he felt that 1t was necceSry
that he should be elected Township Supervisor
Township supervisors vested with eXtraordi-
nary powers in Pennsylvania Mr. Cassatt realized
this He wanted US to tell him how he should
proceed In order to be elected We undertook the
task. a.,
cal ratio in Merton Township that of four
Republicans TO one Democrat This certainly was
an obstacle Mr. Cassatt was a Democrat. After
much discussion IL was decided that We woulu
have Mr. Cassatt nominated by the Republicans.
Knowing that If this was done the Democrats
would be compelled do the same. The scheme
worked out beautifully, and the nominee OF
both parties Mr.. Cassatt unanimously elected
AT the end of his first year in office Mt CaSSitt
again summoned the two members of his poAticaI
cabinet. He submitted his reports. He had buiit
some roads What the mileage was now forget
but good progress had been made. But there was
another side to the question, as 1T was presented
by Mr.. Cassatt. The tax rate had been ihcredS'u
AZ per This looked serious until Mr. CaSsatt
explained that property values had appreciated 81
per cent. This defence considered sufflctent
and decided that ne should again go before the
people. the campaign slogan to be Good roads.
1t rather risky but MIR. Cassatt said that IN
II would be necessary that he should hold the Of
flee for least six years. So he flooded the town
ship with literature telling what had been done
and what was to be done Again MIR. Cassatt was
triumphantly elected AT the end of the second
of his administration the tax rate had climbed
considerably higher. but he met this with the
showing that there had been n corresponding in
in property values. He again re-
elected and so IL went until at the end of six
plished Merton Township not only had good roads.
but 1t had the best roads to be found anywhere in
the United States.
'Tnen the tax rate began to dwindle. and it was
decreased until the burden almost insgnitt-
cant. but the value of property continued to In
crease and presume that ii is worth ten
his debut in politics. He remained In office. :
great his love for political excitement. until
sylvania Railroad Company. As | have stated the
Pennsylvania company holding itself entirely aIoof
from politics. would not entertain the thought OF
having for Its president man who held the hign
and honorable position of Township Supervisor.
When Mr. Cassatt laid down his political Of
flee | wrote him a letter of congratulation.
should be able to induce the company to take
active rart in politics. ne would remember his
deeply for my assistance, told that | had been
placed upon the waiting list and that if he ever
was in need of political counsel he would
tainly summon the members of his former cabi-
net