Fayette County loses a good man
Local editorials from 50 years ago are being reprinted every Monday and Tuesday in this column. This editorial appeared in the Evening Standard, a predecessor of the 蘑菇视频, on Oct. 31, 1966.
With the unexpected death of County Commissioner Anthony Cavalcante a page in the political history of Fayette County is ended.
He died Saturday night, less than one week after he was the chairman of a rally for Milton J. Shapp, the Democratic candidate for governor. His physicians urged him not to attend, but Mr. Cavalcante felt it was his duty to be at the rally. He was hospitalized the next day.
Commissioner Cavalcante was a firm and miltant believer in Americanism, constitutional government, the rights of the working man and individualism.
In whatever situation he found himself he battled for his convictions with all the vigor in his body. Though many have been critical of his proposals and programs during his life of public service, they all respected Mr. Cavalcante’s courage and independence to stand up against the mob whenever he felt he was right.
Tony Cavalcante was loaded with energy and curiosity. He welcomed the opportunity to be the underdog in a political battle. He reveled in tackling the ruling powers. He glorified in his ability to investigate stupidity, waste or injustice in government.
Though we disagreed with some of his methods of rule, we still admired his directness. He told you which way he was going. And we commend the much good that resulted from his years as a public servant.
Tony Cavalcante had to earn everything he received. Nothing was handed to him.
While attending German Township High School, he worked in the mines. His education was interrupted by World War I. He fought in France during World War I with Company D, 110th Infantry and was awarded the Purple Heart.
He graduated from Dickinson Law School in 1924. His first elective office was as a state senator in 1934. He was re-elected in 1838 for his second four-year term.
In 1948 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served for one term. In 1964 he became county commissioner.
He was legal adviser for many years for local units of the United Mine Workers of America, and he represented the UMWA District 4 in various legal matters.
Commissioner Cavalcante was a veteran and he was one proud of his heritage. He was president of the United War Veterans of Uniontown and served as judge advocate of the Pennsylvania Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars. When he died he was VFW Post 47 commander.
He was a member of the National VFW Americanism Committee and had served as VFW State Americanism chairman.
Commissioner Cavalcante was fearless of anyone. He took on the Fayette Democratic Party in the 1964 election and received the highest number of votes in the fall election to become chairman of the board.
Commissioner Cavalcante had a zest for living. Several years ago an illness slowed him down, but he bounced back with force and strength.
A man of lesser force would have been content to sit back after his election as commissioner. But that was not the way Mr. Cavalcante wanted to do things.
He moved into the gubernatorial campaign and became a battler for Milton Shapp. It is sad that he could not be around for the election day on Nov. 8. He loved America. He loved his family. In his death the county and the state lost a spirited, colorful fellow man.