Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-05-18

Washington. May 1S.-John A. kas-
son, former United States minister 10
Austria, died here today
Kasson was IS years of age. He
formerly resided in Iowa, was mem
ber OF the legislature. congressman
from that state. negotiated several re-
ciprocity treaties, and was one OF the
best known diplomats of former years.
Kasson had been prominent In many
walks of public life since the days of
the civil war. He was a contemporary
and colleague of James A. Garfield
when the latter was republican leader
in the house and had much to do with
framing the important legislation OF
that period He relinquished legis-
lative service TO become minister Tor
the United States to Austria and Haer
was minister to Germany. and had
long career of diplomatic life.
Among his most distinguished
achievements was the successful nego-
tiation in collaboration with the late
William Walter Phelps of the tripartite
treaty between America, Great Britain
and Germany which settled the dispute
between the three countries as to the
ownership of the Samoan Islands.
which resulted in a division of the
group between the three powers. Pres-
ident Mckinley appointed him special
plenipotentiary to frame various reci-
prosity agreements with foreign ma
tions, under the terms of the Dingley
tariff act, and there are many other
achievements of note in the field OF
diplomacy recorded to his credit. kas-
son write many essays and some larger
works, among the latter a history OF
the formation OF the United States con-
stitution and "a history of the Monroe
doctrine. He was born in Vermont but
while still O young man moved TO
Iowa.
His Iowa Career.
Kasson was born in Charlotte, VI.
Jan. II, 1922. His father died when ne
was 6 years Of age and his early lie
was q struggle to support himselt ana
secure an education. He finally was
graduated from the state university
taught school and studied law. In 1891
he removed to ST. Louis and in 1887 to
Des Moines. In the succeeding year ne
was selected by Governor Lowe to eN-
anime. and report upon the condition
of the state offices. In the Same year
he was chosen chairman of the repub-
lican state committee and effected a
strong organization of the new party.
He was a delegate from Iowa to the ia
nous national republican convention in
chicago which nominated Lincoln foS
president in 1850, and was member OF
the committee on resolutions TO frame
a platform at this critical time in the
life of the party Kasson was mem
Der Of a SUBJ committee of five chosen
for this purpose. the other members be-
ing Horace Greeley. Carl Schurz, Aus
tin Blair and William Jessup. He draft
ed the final tariff plank, which was
made the preteXt for the Inauguration
of the war of the rebellion and resulted
in the final emancipation of 100000
slaves. This plank was considered the
most momentous document penned
since the Declaration of Independence
Upon the election of Lincoln kasson
was appointed first assistant postmas-
ter general In the summer of 1863
he was nominated by the republicans or
the Des Moines district for congress
and was elected He served in congress
six terms in all. taking rank among its
ablest members He afterwards served
in the state legislature. and later at
tanned his high rank as diplomat