The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-30

/ scented this attack upon him. and
smarting under the rebuke uttered in
the house. resolved that Lawler should
/ be beaten If possible for reelection.
/ The methods of Mr.. Gould are well
/ known, and, although Lawler had been
I originally elected by several thousand
majority and In a democratic district
where he was or had been intensely
I popular, he pulled through at the cleo
ton to the 50th congress by the mar
row majority of 16. which. in his witty
way, he characterized as Sweet Six
teen" Although the opposing candi-
date was running independently, oceans
of money were forthcoming to secure
his election. and the slender means of
LAWYER were overtOpped on all sides.
1t happened. however. that, although
the first count showed that Lawler had
been beaten by his adversary, a re-
count developed that LAWYER was elect
ed by 16 votes, but ii cost him a pretty
penny. and thereafter he was more
cautious in attacking the money kings
i'm debate in the house.
REFUSED TO FALL IN LINE.
Lawler voted for the dependent PEN
sion bill that was vetoed by President
Cleveland Speaker Carlisle was ex-
ceedingly anxious that the veto should
be sustained, and took upon himself
the arduous task of whipping In such
dtliotld as supported ana NOteQ Tor
the bill. among them Frank Lawler.
Mr.. Carlisle induced Col. William r.
Morrison to change front on this bill,
and, although he had voted for it, he
nevertheless voted to sustain its veto,
which was carried by a small majority
Not so with Frank LAWYER, upon whom
Mr.. Carlisle expended his labors in
vain. Lawler was made of sterner
stuff, and although he was threatened
with political communication and
the. wrath of the speaker and the adj
ministration. he stubbornly refused to
stuitify himself by supporting the veto
of the bill he had earnestly advocated.
As he explained TO his friends. he had
advocated the measure because IL
would operate to take many unfortu-
nate soldiers out of the poor house,
among them some dozen or more from
his own district and the Veto IL sus-
tanned. would have the effect of keep
ing them i'm dire distress. the objects OF
public charity. Why" said LAWYER,
IF l should vote to sustain the veto
after voting for and advocating the
bill. / would not dare show my face
in the Second district of Chicago. and
would be hooted of the streets by all
the little children"
LAWYER was a very hard worker. He
made IL point TO answer every let
ter with his own hand. and rarely |
sought his couch until far I'm the night. |
AS he was the only democratic con- |
gresham from Chicago, he was called |
upon TO perform the major part of the |
work of his party friends. and during |
his service he secured action on more /
pension claims. some dating back 10 or |
Is years unadJudicated. than all his |
colleagues from the Chicago. or. in |
deed. other Illinois districts. He was /
generous TO a fault. and impoverished /
himself by insisting upon entertaining /
every Chicagoan who visited Washing |
ton. no matter whether political friend |
or adversary. He had mingled with /
people during his career TO 1
such an extent that he was Justly rated /
as the best news man in congress IL /
was his practice as well as his pleasure
to mingle freely with the journalistic
and many an item Of impor-
tant news. especially for the West 1
emanated from him. He did not wait /
TO be importuned or solicited. but in /
the evening would visit the various
newspaper bureaus and give up what
he had. For this reason he was VERY
popular with the craft.