The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-24

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When he FIRST made his appearance at the
Forty-ninthi congress-, tho disposition was
manifest to hold him very cheaply, but no
soon made. himself known and RESPECTED
for his upcouth but no less sensible ear
n~estness, and it was not very long before
he had forged to the front as a leader on
the Democratic side, and his beard grew
rapidly In the Jericho of the house, SO that
his tarry was not so long as Is usual with
our parliamentary tyros.
1t is not generally known, but II Is ney.
ertholess absolutely true, that by his well
directed efforts the rehabilitation Of the
American navy was given its first inn
petus, which resulted In arousing congress
to the unwelcome fact that we had no
navy and that we were at the absolute
mercy OF any second rate power that might
seek TO embroil us In war. The matter
came about in the following way:
IL seems that when Frank Lawler was
serving his apprenticeship at the trade of
ship carpentering at Mound City, Ills,
during the late war, IL happened that he
made u jackstaff with bis own hands and
fitted IL on the flagship of Admiral Porter,
who superintendent the job and compli-
mented the young mechanic on the neat
ness Of his work. When Lawler went TO
congress, he remembered the incident and
expressed the desire to "a friend to meet
Admira Porter and recall the incident
TO his recollection, feeling proud naturally
that the boy who had toiled in so humble
an occupation should have risen by his
own efforts Ant fought his way into con-
gress. This friend, who was intimate with
Admiral Porter, escorted LAWYER to the
admirnl's house and introduced him, with
the result that a strong friendship was ut
once formed, and the admiral, whose nose
was then badly out of joint at the navy
department, became very confidential con-
corning naval matters.
Finally Lawler, who was president of
the Ship Calkers' association Of Chicago,
expressed q desire to serve the admiral in
any matters he desired TO present to con-
gress, q proposition with which the adj
miral Immediately closed, and il was
agreed that Lawler should introduce q res
olution appropriating $50, 600, 900 as a
standing appropriation wherewith to re-
habilitate the American navy and con-
struct new ships, which was to be accom-
panied by an official letter from Admiral
Porter, IN which he would portray in
startling language the effete condition of
our navy and the pressing necessity for
immediate action to appropriate money
whercwith to build war vessels equipped
with all the appliances to meet the great
advance In the art of modern warfare.
Accordingly at the second session Of the
F~orty-ninth congress, ON Jan. 20, 1857,
Lawlcr introduced his resolution, accom-.
panied by an elaborate letter addressed TO
LAWYER, in which Admiral Torter set out
In alarming terms and vigorous language
the immediate necessity for action ON tho
part of congress to rchabilitate the navy,
pointing out the dangers which attended
the existing condition of affairs and max
ing the astounding assertion that the
American navy consisted Of but one ship
equipped with high power guns, the Dol
phin, and she was only "a dispatch boat.
Mr.. Lawler experienced considerable diff
Guilty In securing the printing N Admiral
Porter's letter In The Congressional Rec
ord, and his resolution was referred TO the
naval committee without attracting any
particular attention.
But when this letter vns read next day
in The Record il caused "a ilutter of excite
ment, and the matter was brought to a
climax when Senator Teller, In "a debate
upon an item of appropriation concerning
the transportation of bullion, directed at
tention TO the fact that Admiral Porter
had addressed a letter to n distinguished
member of the house, published i'm The
Congressional Record, in which the sensa-
tional statement was made by the highest
officer in rank in the navy that the Amer
lean navy was in al alarming condition,
only ono vessel OF war armed
with high power guns, INT she was only a
dispatch boat. Senator Teller's speech
was couchcd in vigorous language, deplor-
ing the existing conditions I'D urging
that some of the surplus money In the
treasury ought TO DO ut once appropriated
wherewith to construct ships equipped To
equal the ships of other nations and save
Us the humiliation and disgrace that would
follow In the event Of war.
Senator Tcller's speech received substan-
tial echo both in the senate and house, and
$ll, 900, 600 was appropriated at that con-
gress for the construction of new ships,
forming the famous white squadron that
made the tour of the world and excited the
admiration and envy of all the European
powers. This had been the dream of Adj
miral Porter's later life, and he lived To
see 1t realized through the humble but no
less effective efforts of Frank Lawler, orcc
the poor apprentice who set n jackstay in
Admiral Porter's flagship Mt Mound City.
Lawler modestly claimed but little credit
for his achievement and was entirely cen
tent To satisfy himself with the reflection
that the fable Of the rat gnawing tho lion
out of the meshos was emphasized in his
case.
Every body who had an acquaintance
with Frank Lawlcr knew some story about
him. Naturally after his death these an.
were recalled.
AT tho time tho location of the Worlds
fair was the question of the day Congress
man Quigg of New York and Lawler of
Illinois were W Of the most radical i'm
their views as to the place for holding the
fair.
when Quigg arrived In Washington"
said Congressman Lawler, "he lost his