Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-23

master workman of his party in Chica-
so. In Congress liorimer promptly
made his marlS--not as an orator, but
as a shrewd and tireless worker. He
astonished the veterans by teaching
old dogs new tricks. An appropriation
FOR the construction of a new postofIice
in Chicago had been passed Mt Il pre-
Vlous session. 1T was evident that the
plans and specifications would be de-
lAyed four years in the Treasury De-
partment, owing to n pressure Of work.
Lorimer managed TO crowd through
another bill appropriatinG $25. coo to eX-
oedite the work of the architect. Ii
was done while the House was dazed
in discussion over Vhe rules. and so
deity that the veterans of legislation
are even today entirely unable 10
analyze the parliamentary process by
which ii was accomplished.
Lorimer seldom takes the floor, but
when he does enter the realm of argu-
ment talks slowly and deliberately.
measuring his words with great care
and stating his propositions tersely ana
explicitly. He makes no gestures and
resorts to none OF the arts of oratory.
such is an epitome of the career of the
man from illinois treadng in the foot
steps of Thomas c. Patt and Matthew
,. Quay. He bids fair in time TO rival
II not surpasS both i'll political power.
He has developed all the qualities re-
Nuiitu III TIE business department oil
true political leadership. Like Platt ana
Quay. he may lose mis- seat in Congress
ana travel the multirarious avenues of
politics unshorh OF power. Indeed. he
may gather strength from defeat, and
become stronger than ever.
The minority of the House lost many
killed and wounded in the late fight.
The one most deplorcd is John j.
Lentz, of Columbus. Ohio. Lentz has
more Vim, mentally and physically,
than I.ormer: but he lacks Lormer's
balance and judgement. Figurativeiy,
he will attack anything from Il Wild
cat TO buzz saw. He is fully as hand
some as Lormcr. and far more self
conscious. His face is a picture of
determination, and he has the frame of
an athlete. Above everything else. he
Is an orator. He can soar into the
blue empyrean and return to earth
without dropping feather. When no
lltical discussions are the order of the
day. he roamS the floor, looking for n
night, and usally gets one. In hot dis
cusSion, he is n picturesque figure.
There is nothing groiesnue about him.
He fights like man intlamed with pas
sion and bursting with indignation.
Paul CaSsagnac and Notwithstanding
ed could not create more excitement
in the French Corps Legislatif than
can Eentz in the United States House
OF Representatives. His bouts with
his colleague, Gen. Grosvenor, have
been singularly frequent and sangune-
Gus. His adherence of imperialism
surpasses either that of Wellington
or Carl Schurz.
Early in the year his magnetism was
so great that he fairly hypnotized an
audience in Cooper Institute. They
broke into loud cheers for Aguinaldo,
and stirred Lentz to the acme of ora
torical effort. II is said that it was this
speech that converted George $. Bout
we'll to the faith. and led to the stir
ring pronunciamcnto of the anti-impe-
rialists. The loss of such man is ir-
reparable to those wearied with rout-
Inc work and dreary discussion. Mr.
Lentz has not appeared in the House
UP to the present writing. 1t has been
said that he is editing some country
newspaper. Certain tx is that he is as
great in The newspaper field as in the
oratorical field. Two years ago, it is
said that the editor OF small country
newspaper printed in his district asked
him to contribute brief article on
free silver. Within II few days Lentz
sent in the article. When put in type