His first appearance in active politics was in 1856, at which time he was an ardent worker to secure the election of .Tames Buchanan, for President, and .John B. Haskin for Congress, and in 1858 took a prominent part in the re-election of Mr. Haskin. In 1863 he was instrumental in procuring the passage of an act authorizing the construction of a hoi-se railway for Morrisania and West Farms, an enter|)rise which was rapidly pushed to completion, and since its organization has been treasurer of the company. In 1867 the question of rapid transit began to attract public atten-

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

tion, and having been in that j'car elected to the State Senate (his opponent being Hon. James W. Husted), his influence secured the passage of the first act ever passed by the Legislature for that purpose. In 1869 he was re-elected, and in 1871 he again received the unanimous nomination of his party, but was defeated by the Hon. W. H. Robertson. To show Mr. Cauldwell's adaptability for public affairs, he was at one and the same time holding the offices of State Senator, president of the Board of Town Trustees, chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the county, member of the Board of Education, president of the Saving's Bank and chairman of the Democratic General Committee of Morrisania, and in all of these his duties, varied as they were, have been faithfully jjerformed. True to the Union during the war, his duties as supervisor were so faithfully performed, that he was the recipient of most honorable testimonials from the Citizens' Mutual Protection Association, and an engrossed copy of the action of that body, neatly framed, is among the treasures which adorn his library.