New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-05
the admiration of the officials with whom he
has had business relations

Judge Lawrence one Of the former Controllers
Of the Treasury. was an interesting If rather &C.
centric person, and many stories are tod OF
him apropos OF his dsplcasure whenever one
of his decisions set aside by the courts.
On one OCCASION when case OF unusuai III
terest decided by him against the appellant WIS
carried To the Court of Appeals OF the DISTRICT
OF Columbia, to prevent he possibility OF ms
decision bcin; reversed he volunteered to as
sist the attorney for the Government in the
prosecution. His offer was accepted. but the
presiding Judge had, unfortunately, taken
violent dislike to the Controller. and did not
relish the idea Of his appearance before the court
counsel IN a in which he had already
acted as judge. In the progress Of the trial
Judge Lawrence seized the unusual opportunity
Of exploiting his own decisions. and more fire.
quenty. perhaps. than was in good taste re-
ferred to Lawrence. such and such volume.
such and such case.
Lawrence? Lawrence" finally queried the
Judge. pray. who is this Lawrence that you
frequently quote? Lawrence indeed! /
never heard Of this authority before"
1t is said that Judge Lawrence was so an
noyed and irritated by the sncering words and
manner Of His Honor that he failed to make
as Controller OF the Treasury was Sc; aside.
1t is much to be regretted that the literary
executors of Captain Bassett have reluctantly
concluded that 1t will be impossible for them 10
put his notes and letters in such shape that they
can be published, for they would make most in
tcrcsting reading and be valuable addition to
American history For more than sixty years
Captain Bassett was in the employ OF the Senate
Scarcely more than lad when he was APP
pointed. ne grew old In the service. and in the
six decades he served at the Capitol II was his
good fortune TO know all the great men who sat
during that period in the upper house and h
had. too. the opportunity to note the changes
social and political. Of half century. His
official position was that Of assistant door
KEEPER but 10 his share fell many delicate
duties such as setting the clock back al the
close Of the sessions. that the senate might ad
journ according 10 the letter II tn" law NO
statesman no matter how great Was ever more
conscious OF his dignity than Captain Hass"t
and when he walked up the aisle ~ the Senate
chamber with stately micn and dignih"d tread
CARRYING in his aged hands the electoral votes
his snow crowned head towering above those
about him. the sight Vas imposing and one not
sidcring Captain bassetts amiahl" PERSONALITY
and the number OF years ne was connected with
the Senate that he should gain the friendship
~ those whom he served. and that among his
friends he counted many men "hofe names af'
forever written In the book Of fame lie appf'-
ciated the confidence rcposcd IN MN, ana Mas
fnllv conscious Of the opportunity ne en-
loved FOR studying men ana anaI'S' r"'
wears before his death il was his iond AMBITION
TO write a volume ~ "reminiscences ana l" th's
end ne kept copious notes that should one ''S
have n value equal 10 the famous lhary 90
Pepys: but, unfortunately having been prepared
only Tor his ow. guidance. they are discon-
nectcd the people mentioned are r'i'fr'" I" "''s
nv initials and IL has. unhappy. been iouhu
mpossitle to put them In any kind o' order
Every now and then an auction axes pace
in the Government departments THIS occurs
whenever An appropriation for new FURNITURE
h.c,,nes available. and 1t ~ necessary 10 dis-