Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-31
TWO OLD LAWMAKERS.
George V. Lawrence and Uncle John
Cessna Will Be at Harrisburg.
POLITICAL RECORD OF A FAMILY.
A Bill to Stop Payment Of Naturalization
Fees to Get Votes
INMATES FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY

none Will De more Conspicuous Ludu ucle
John Cessna, Of Bedford, and George V.
Lawrence, of Monongahela City. Mr..
Lawrence comes from remarkable
family that has figured extensively
in Pennsylvania politics for more
than half century. When he first entered
the Legislature in 1S43 he had the honor of
being the youngest member in the House,
and to-day he enjoys the distinction of be-
ing the Oldest. This is great record and
probably can't be equaled in the State.
Mr. Lawrence started for Harrisburg last
evening with several important bills stuffed
into his pockets. When he was introduced
to Sam Stewart, of Verona, who aspires to
the Speakership, he remarked: 'I presume
you remember my old friend Kerr, who
preached there years ago?"
Mr.. Stewart said the minister lived before
his time.
'Come, Mr.. Lawrence, suggested Dis
trict Attorney Lyon, ''you must remember
we are young men and can't go back as far
you can"
''That is so,'' he replied. 81 don't know
many of the Representatives now, and I
will miss many of the old-timers. I must
begin over again"
expected an Ol0-E1mo House.
"When 1 was first asked last fall to run
for the Legislature" Mr.. Lawrence con-
tinued, 81 refused, but consented when 1
understood that BuckaIew and ex-senator
Wallace would return. 1 was under the
impression it would be an old-tine House,
and thought would like to go back. But
Buckalew and Wallace won't be there, and
1 am disappointed I served with Buck
alew in the Constitutional conven-
tion, and 1 always considered him the
ablest Democrat in the State. He was so
modest and such gentleman. I remember
he was very kind to me, and our difference
in politics had nothing to do with our So
cial relations. Morton McMichael, of Phil
adelphia. sat with me in the constitutional
convention, and, after we had been at work
for several weeks, he said: Lawrence.
never heard much about Buckalew, but ne
is wonderfully brilliant man. His es-
innate was correct
"Buckalew, like Judge Jere Black, was
very careless about his dress. remember
one day 1 was walking down Chestnut
street, in Philadelphia, with him. His
coat was badly torn, and he stepped into a
tailor's shop to have it repaired. The
tailor told him to come back in few hours
and gave him white duster to wear in the
meantime. Unmindful of his appearance,
Buckalew worked in the convention all
afternoon. The members laughed 9 good
deal about his duster, for it was out of
season, but it never dawned upon him that
he looked ridiculous"
Fifty Years of Political Life.
Nh. Lawrence has been in public life off
and on since 1843. He served three years
in the Senate, four terms in the House and
three terms in Congress. He has spent 25
winters away from home. During his first
two terms in Congress he represented |
Greene, Washington, Beaver and Lawrence |
Then the district was changed |
by knocking off Greene. His father was
Speaker of the House in 1922 and 1924; his |
brother William held the same position
in 1858 and 1850, and George V. was Speaker |
was also a member from Warren county. |
William opposed Alexander Mcclure tor |
the Speakership. William had Simon |
Cameron on his side and won. George |
thinks that his brother made an able pre-
siding officer. The above is certainly |
legislative record that few families or in |
1ividuals in the State can beat
Among the bills Mr.. Lawrence will in
troduce is one written by Judge McIlvaine,
Of Washington county, making it a penal
offense for any of the political parties to
pay naturalization fees to get votes. 1t is
understood that the Washington County
Republican Committee paid out $500
in such fees, and more money for
The same purpose was spent in Allie
yheny. Mr.. Lawrence says it is a
bad practice and ought to be stopped. He
claims that any man who is not patriotic
enough to pay his naturalization fees should
not be admitted to citizenship
Giving Women a Chance,
Another bill, if passed, will make women
eligible to become notaries public. It does
not insist on their appointment but under
he present laws females are ineligible. Mr..
Lawrence is steering clear of the
question of suffrage. He says
hat many women are competent
% perform the duties OF q notary The
business is being monopolized
oy the fair sex and the two go together
Washington county is also making an
,ffort to secure an additional law judge
The present judge is overworked. He
,olds court for "a weeks continuously out
If the year, besides sitting every Monday
% hear arguments The population has in
,reased to IS, 900, and the citizens think
hey are entitled to another judge.
Among the other representatives going
% Harrisburg last evening were j. F. Pat
erson, of Burgettstown, and Sam Stewart,
# Verona. There were several people after
obs on the train also They were Assistant
sergeant at Arms of the House Pomeroy,
If New Wilmington; ex-RepresentAtive A.
u. Phillips, of Lawrence county, and Cap
ain William Catlin, of Monongahela City.
Dr. Pomeroy would like to hold mis- present
OBJ if he can't get anything else. Phillips
i'd not say what he wanted.
Wants to Be Sergeant-at-Arms.
Catlin is a colored barber, and came
within an ace Of being elected sergeant-at-
rms of the House two years ago. He will
make an effort to secure the place held BY
'omeroy.
Messrs Lawrence and Patterson think
thompson will be the next Speaker.
hey would not say that they intend to
ote for him, but the indications
re they will Sam Stewart was very shy
bout his aspirations. He was not sure that
e is candidate for Speaker. He added
hat, according to the newspapers, the
peakership was settled in favor of
thompson. 'I intend to vote for
)alzell," he said. mo fight was
1ade against me, and it is only courtesy
hat should stand by him. If Senator
luay can't be reelected without the votes of
)alzell's district it is no fault of mine. The
Allegheny representatives will support
)alzell in good faith
Will Leave Tonight.