Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-10-16

efitlclsn4. i ne 9OOtt deeds OF u L&1
should net De permitted to fall IN
needed 70 the ground there to remain
until death REEVES the memory OF them.
EELESAP W.. LAWRENCE
The question thst should be asked by
every voter is. Which Of the two
men, Beiknsp or lawrence, wiil make
the lest representative in Congress,
for the Fifth DistrIet?' To any man
who will put the best interests Of the
district ahead OF mere political adyan-
tage, the question Is easily answered.
Mr.. Belknap has had the benefit of one
terms experience in the House. He Is
familiar with the ms and outs OF legIs-
lation. He knows where 10 strike for
bis district and when. The perplexi-
ties, complications and amenities Incl
dent TO legislation he has brushed up
against and is thereby equipped to turn
himself when the emergency requires.
He Is expert in securing recognition for
the purpose of presenting legislative
measures Entrusted 10 his custody. In
the prosecution of pension claims he is
perseverlng, pugnacious aud successful.
Neither WEAKNESS nor defeat discour-
age him, for during the long weary
Friday nights set apart for pension
claims he was always wakeful and alert
10 the interests of his constituents. He
will require no introduction to the vet
eran legislators Of the House and SEN
ate. nor will he be compelled TO make
acquaintance with the officers OF the
administration and the heads of de-
partments. He knows them all. The
moment he arrives in Washington he
will be ready for business. One of the
most important measures affecting this
city and district is the improvement of
Grand River. Mr.. Belknap viii be able
to do more to secure the attention of
the treasury department to tins subject
than any other man in Michigan. For
these reasons it must be apparent to
every candid man and intelligent voter
that his election is an imperative neces-
sity. Another factor in favor of Mr..
Belknap - that ne is one of Us. He
mingles IN society that has no select
list nor high board fence. The hand
of the scavenger is grasped as cordially
as the hand Of the banker. He is a
natural Republican in private life and q
patriotic servant in official life. The
sunny good nature and cheerful smile
are with him always whether chatting
with the workingman in the trench or
bargaining for material for his factory
with lumber baron. Always and ever
he is one of the common people.
If Mr.. Lawrence should be elected he
would 60 to Washington = veritable
novice. He knows little OF legislation
or legislative procedure. He would be
Handicapped from the start. In the
great and unwieldy Democratic ma
sjority he would be a pigmy among the
giants. It would be next to impossible
for him to secure recognition from the
chair to voice either petition or protest.
He would be assig0ed to obscure CON-
mittees and IN most every respect but
that of drawing his salary he would be
q nonentity. He would not otter from
many other new members in this regard.
He woIld have no standing with the de-
partments other than that secured by
the prestige of his Office. 1t is not de-
sired to underrate Mr.. Lawrence, nor
question his ability. Nor indeed is
there any question as to his popularity.
To be sure he is little known outside the
clubs and the aristocratic circles in
which he moves. In these he is popu-
lar. The old soldiers do not know MIN,
nor do the common people. He has
elected to move above and beyond
them. His culture aud wealth enable
! him TO withdraw from association with
the people at large, and nobody is at
liberty to question his choice. Just as
| election draws near it is too late to
propitiate the common people by cod
ding for their appreciation. Mr.. Law
renee is not the proper person to repre-
sent the Fifth district IN Congress.
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