Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-02-13

panles 1t is that Aid. Kahler seems to
he 80 deeply Interested In. There Il
such determined opposition to the ordl.
nance on the part Of frontage owners
1t is not at all likely that the ordinance
will pass the Council.
Republicans Of the Thirty.second
Ward met Wednesday evening at No.
4S3l Langley avenue. The Mayoralty
question was not discussed, but those
present expressed themselves warmly
In favor Of Charles Randall. the pres.
ent Hyde Park Assessor. Hyde Park
citizens attended the meeting In large
numbers. Resolutions were adopted
indOrsing Mr.. Randall for reelection.
Mr.. Ludwig Wolff II not a candidate
for City Treasurer. and would not .ac-
cept the nOminati tiOn II rendered him on
u gold platter
"The late 4. NJ. Billings was u strong
character and never cared to reveal his
true side to the world" said Mr.. Jones.
Ills charities were carefully concealed.
ana their full extent will never be
known. could. II l thought II proper,
tell Of many instances Of his generosity.
He hated Ostenta tiOn In all things, and
was always ready to condemn dishonest
business practices. ] never knew Of his
Integrity being questioned In all his
dealings.'
II IL related, as showing one Of Mr..
Billings cham Ctcristics. that he took
occasion numerous times to criticlse
his son, q. X. q. Billings. for his eX-
pendltures In horses ana turn.Outs. One
day Ben" rs he II best known. was
called to task for having purchased u
housekeeping and very speedy trotter.
He prevailed upon his father to drive
the horse over the West Side bOulevaiSls
one afternoon, and Mr.. Billings return
ell from the drive delighted.
THAT'S a fine horse. Ben," said the
old man. "HOw much did you pay for
him:"
"Oh. not very much." Ben replied. II
bought him down at the stOckyards."
How much did you pay for him!"
II only had to pay $3.50" ben an.
swered. without blush. as he remem-
bered that It cost him $500 for the high
stopper.
"Is that ally" Mr.. Billings exclaimed.
well, I'll give you $50 ana take him
Off your hands,"
Ben had to buy another trOttlng horse.
Gas companies are u favOrite object
of attack by legislative blackmailers,
but Mr.. Billings was not an easy vic
tim. 4 good story IL told of a former
State Senator, who Is still In public life.
He was one of ring Of four Senators
who were bOssing the Senate ut u GER
tain session. He called on Mr.. Billings
as the agent OF the big four" He
found the gas man In his office, which
was separated from other rooms only
by u low partition.
The Senator reminded Mr.. Billings
that there We're several bills on the cal
endar that would seriously injure his
company II passed. The legislator
thought there was Il way Of defeating
the menacing measures, but SAID II
would take cash. and considerable of
1t. Mr.. Billings assumed an air of blus-
tering despair ana said In a loud voice
that could be heard In the outer office:
'No, sir. You have got better
thing than have. You may take the
gas company, ana I'll go to Springfield
and ill your job"
The Senator was alarmed and tried
to sOOthe the gas man, but Mr.. Bill
lings shouted only the louder ana con-
tinued:
There Is more money In being
State Senator than there Is running u
gas company. ! will make the trade
right now. Here Is the desk and there
are the books. You may take right
hold aud III get out at once. All l ask
II that little chair" lpOinting to a cor