Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-26
Political Careers Lay on
Same Lines Long Before
They Rose to Present Off
cial Positions.


/ present official position.
/ Commissioner Bigelow first came before
/ public notice late in the 9rs as Director
| OF Public Works in Pittsburgh At the
same time McAfee was Director Of Public
| Works in Allegheny, this being before the
| two cities consolidated At this time, the
| late Chris Magee and William Finn, the
| present Washington party leader were
| the undisputed bosses Of the Pittsburgh
Republican machine, the like Of which
has never been seen since in Pennsyl-
vania.
Finn then as now was the leading
member OF contracting irm. His firm
paving and other city work. The only
material that seemed good enough for
paving Pittsburgh streets was a certain
stone called "Ligonier block" obtainabe
exclusively from Flinn's quarres. About
this time a dispute arose over specifca-
tions In city contracts, Il Is said. and
Bigelow was forced from his position as
Director Of the Department of Public
Works. His removal received the unqual-
ihed approval of Finn, and Magee offer
ing no opposition although he and Bige-
low were cousins.
a battle royal then began. for Bige-
low had a brother Tom, who had millions
of money and a proportionate supply of
family loyalty. MaEee died about this
time leaving Finn in sole control of the
machine" Tom Bigelow promptly gave
up all other business and devoted himself
to the political annihilatlon of Finn.
REIGN OF FLINN TERMINATES
Quay and Penrose gave assistance and
the Legislature of 1901 passed the famous
Pittsburgh Ripper Bill" by which the
office of Mayor was abolished and a new
executive office of recorder created in
its stead with increasing powers. Cover
nor Stone appointed a recorder satIsfac-
tory to the Finn element and Flinn's
management of the municipality of Pitts
burgh and his control of the Republican
machine" in that part of the State ter
minated.
The next Legislature conveniently abol-
ished the office of recorder and created
again the office of Mayor. The people of
Pittsburgh did not oppose this jugglery,
since to get rid Of the Finn machine was
worth almost any price to them
Edward NJ. Bigelow, the man who was
later to become Highway Commissioner
for the State, was thus revenged al
though his brother Tom. who had made
this comeback possible, died shortly
afterward. 1t was in working out this
political coup that BEelow became so
closely allied with McAfee and the Oliver
interests.
McAfee himself owes his political posi-
tion almost entirely to Oliver Before get
ting into public life McAfee was superin-
terdent OF one of the mills of the Oliver
nd
the Oliver family. Throu- the Oliver
control of political factors IN Allegheny in
the SOS, MCAfee became Director OF Public
Safety In the city Of Allegheny and later
Director Of Public Works
McAfee thus became the active repre-
sentative of the divers not only in local
politics, but in the councils OF the Re-
mated by Matthew Stanley Quay. In April,
1903, Governor PennypaCker appointed Nc
Afee State Banking Commissioner, and he
has held a state office ever since. After
serving for two years as the head Of the
State Banking Department, McAfee, in
July. 1905, was appointed by Governor
Pennypacker as Secretary of the Com
mOnwcalth.
About this time Senator Quay died and
the leadership Of the Republican State
machine passed into the hands Of PEN
rose, but this did not alter the political
Importance of McAfee. He was reappoint-
ed Secretary of the Commonwealth by
both Governor Stuart and Governor
Tener. Thus he has been at the head Of
this department for seven and a half
years and under three Governors
During all these years McAfee has been
recognized as the main representative OF !
the Denomination" at the front" That |
Is 10 say II has been his business to
ook particularly to the solution Of ad- |
problems that have involved /
political results Thus he has come 10 be /
The Earl" The Premier" The Chief |
of staff" etc,
McAFEE AS AN ADVISER.
II is a matter OF common knowledge |
hat all three OF the Governors under
whom he has served as Secretary Of the /
Commonwealth have consulted his iudg- |
ueut regarding many subjects Of i'm |
Since Penrose took the party .
leadership, and for some time before |
hat, there probably has never been a /
consultation OF State leaders that has not !
included McAfee. He Is credited with /
lrirg.ng out John X Tener, and probably /
lad more 10 do with Teners nomination /
han any other man. Earlier than this. /
dcAtee had much 10 do with the Sc
ection OF Oliver for the United States
'rLtEC 10 aANNtt4 lNAdLGEE - Knox ]
when the latter resigned to become At
5rney General Of the United States
Allied with AIcAfee and Oliver. who
we're working In with the Penrose-Nc-
NiChol interests in the eastern end Of
he state, Bgeiow was the logical choice
IS Highway Commissioner II was Blge-
Dw who had created the Pittsburgh park
ystem. and al the time hts appointment
vas recommended he was in charge Of
he construction Of several hundred miles |
# highways in Allegheny County Strange |
o say, this highway Improvement was
made possible by a special county bond
ssue the necessary legislation for which
vas introduced in the Legislature by the
more or less effectively suppressed VIII
lam Finn.
The appointment Of BlgeIow followed
he passage by the Legislature OF an act
eorganlz!ng the Highway Department.
realty enlarEing its scope and authoriz-
lg a small army OF salaried positions and |
pening the way for endless contracts.
With Bigelow at the head OF the orxanl-
alton, Penrose was confident that a great
olitical stroke In strengthening his own |
osition had been accomplished. The ac-
iVty Of Bigelow on his behalf has proved
hat his belief was justified
In 1913, at the last session OF the LeRrfs-
ature. when the Organization ele-
lent in the State Senate attempted 10
revent the confirmation Of the appoint
lent OF Bigelow, administration pressure