Tom Cavanaugh A Vote Getter

Dowagiac News: There is hardly anything more noteworthy in the politics of southern Michigan than the remarkable vote-getting powers of Attorney Thomas J. Cavanaugh, of Paw Paw, a fact always claimed by his many friends, conceded by his few enemies, and indisputably evidenced by his election this week to the presidency of the village of Paw Paw for the fourth consecutive time.

His election on this last occasion did not result from an obliteration of party lines or other concessionary action on the part of his political opponents, but was secured only after a spirited campaign when every effort was made by party leaders to arouse the partisan jealousy and bigotry of the rank and file.

The True Northerner, the much-respected organ of the republican party in Paw Paw, which waged effective but unsuccessful campaign against Mr. Cavanaugh's re-election, pays him the following exceptional compliment in speaking of his election:

"We doff our hat to Thomas J. Cavanaugh, for the fourth time elected president of the village of Paw Paw, as the greatest vote-getter in the place. The town is his, through his ability to break the ranks of the republican voters, and whatever he wants in this village, it looks as though he can have it for the asking."

A young man of exceptional ability; progressive but conservative; tactful, diplomatic, but of time-tried integrity; over-flowing with American "get-there" and energy, but in no sense erratic, Mr. Cavanaugh is a leader whose power is contributed to him by his friends rather than forced from them. Among the people of Paw Paw he is a leader, not a driver, and his good counsel and persistent energies have contributed to a considerable extent to the progress and upbuilding of Van Buren's pretty county seat town.

The simple fact of an election to the presidency of a small village may not at first sight appear to carry any particularly uncommon significance, but to be the recipient of a trust so repeatedly reposed; to enjoy this confidence from your neighbors, from the man whose back yard joins yours; and to know that each ballot is cast not so much for a party representative as for the individual; this is uncommon indeed. Mr. Cavanaugh's success must have a beneficial effect upon every observer of public events, as it carries with it a striking illustration of the fact that even these days of "fast" politics when legislatures are bought and sold and the average politician's word is worth less than a democratic nomination in the second ward of Dowagiac, honest methods and a watchful consideration of the interests intrusted to his keeping are necessary ingredients of an enduring success. Other policies may produce spasmodic accumulations of things that glitter, but never a successful success.

We predict a splendid future for the young man from Van Buren, and join The True Northerner in doffing our headgear to the four-times president.