New-York tribune., 1906-12-30
THE "BoUNDIYG" OF MR.. oAssATT.

Mr.. George w Perkins attributes the death
| ~ Mr Cassstt 10 the constant bounding Of
| iconoclasts" by which he means unreasonable
and malicious public criticism. Ihis is, per-
| haps, to be expected. Mr.. Perkins Just at pres
! emf is naturally In a mood to resent public
criticism and TO blame the muck rakers Tor
all human Ills No doubt there is a tendency TO
indulge in exaggerated denunciation Of promi-
nent persons whenever the community is I'M
pressed with the necessity Of efectng reforms
in business which those persons nave con-
Quoted with perhaps entirely good intentions.
The iackal in human nature is ever ready 10
manifest itself. and delights in nothing so much
as In tearing to pieces. when 1t has the chahce,
that which little time before it had regarded
with awe or admiration. serious movement
10 reform abuses in business and political
methods has unquestionaby been used by dem
agogues TO punish individuals. who were as
much the heirs the creators of these apuses'
IN a measure utterly out of proportion to their
proper responsibility for them. Nevertheless, It
is a healthy moral sentiment which has de-
manded better methods. more exact observance
OF the law and keener sense of the obNga-
tons of trusteesbip than have been prevalent
in this country.
Mr.. Cassatt was doubtless grieved, In CON-
mon with other leaders of the business world.
by the revelations OF the last two years, which,
among other things, showed the need of great
reforms in the property which he managed
The exposure of the relations between officials
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the great
shippers could not fail TO cause him worry, and
perhaps ii accelerated the progress OF his dis
ease. Every man in public life charged with
great responsibility must bear the burdens of
misdeeds for which he is only indirectly respon-
sibIe. and face public criticism. whose rough
and ready justice must often seem TO him
misnomer for injustice. King Humbert said
that the danger of assassination was one of
the risks OF the royal trade and the public
figure of business or politics must take
abuse or misconception a part of his days
work. and may count himself fortunate In
deed if he gets through the battle. fighting
hard. creating antagonisms and himself giving
wounds. so far unscathed as Mr.. Cassatt-
Few men have long filed public place. IN
vting popular criticism, with a larger meas
IRE of public good will than Was enjoyed by
Mr.. Cassatt. He for years in the popu-
lar mind the type Of the progressive railroad
president, anxious TO anticipate the wants of
the people and ready TO effect every improve
ment for safety and comfort which engineers
could devise. The Pennsylvania Railroad has
enjoyed an enviable and deserved popularity. and
While other roads have been, often unreason-
ably. criticised for an unaccommodating spirit.
it has been cited a sample OF what a
railroad should be. Even after the recent in
veSngation showing favoTitism to shippers and
gifts 20 railroad officials, while some few per-
sons lndulged in bitter abuse of the railroad
and its president, it cannot be said that the
public, as a whole. treated Mr.. Cassatt and
his company ungenerousy. For the most part,
the newspapers commented On the facts as a
revelation Of looseness Of system and a sur
vival OF methods once openly prevalent with
out criticism, and blamed Mr.. Cassatt for lack
Of knowledge and discipline ra ther than for anv
wrongdofng. His efforts to reform abuses when
he became aware of them were cordially re-
ceived and he had full credit In the public
mind for his pioneer labors to stop rate cut
ting and rebating when these practices were
universal, and TO bring American railroads out
Of the chaos of earlier days.
Probably Mr.. Cassatt's pride was hurt by the
investigation. The effort TO effect reforms nav
have strained his failing strength But GER
tainly no man accustomed as he was TO giving
and taking blows had any reason TO despair or
break his heart over the attitude of the public
toward him Mr.. Perkins will not serve his
memory by representing him as thin skinned
egoust, oppressed by a sense OF unmerited dis
grace, when. as q matter OF fact he ended his
life In the enjoyment OF the general good will
or The public, everywhere spoken of as one Of
the most progressive, openminded and useful
men IN the railroad world
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