The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-22

special correspondence OF The Tribune.
Washington, Dec. 2l.--The Hon. Will
liam Lorimer. of Chicago. surprised
the minority members of the house of
representatives on the opening day of
the session. He also surprised fhin-
self. Mr.. Lorimer deliberately walked
into Democratic caucus. 1t was rot
done with malice prepense. The hous,
adjourned about 4 o'clock. after list
ening to the reading of the presidents
message. The caucus was held i'm
mediately afterward. A constituent
had sent in his card. and Lorimer had
left the chamber a few minutes he
fore adjournment. He returned with.
In few moments. fancyng the house
still in session. On entering the lobby
door near the speakers desk, aprar-
emily absorbed In thought. he mechan-
ically moved toward his seat There
was litter on the floor as he entered
the main aisle. II became an outburst
OF laughter as he still pursued his way
voice putting a motion at the desk
of the presiding officer. He turned on
his heel, and seemed dumbfounded
when he saw Mr.. Hay. of Virginia.
welding the gave. Taking in the sit
uation at a glance, he began to re-
trace his steps.
"Ch. don't go, Lorimer." shouted
Il A 1f sp..a
entirely welcome We're glad to have
yon with us
Lorimer neither smiled nor respond
ed to the courteous invitation. Appar-
emily absorbed in his own reflections.
he passed through the bazc doors
leading into the speakers lobby. He
disappeared amid cries of Come
again when you can't stay so long"
and "Send in Mark Hanna
William Lorimer was placed hors
de combat in the great national politi
cal contest last month. He was the
only prominent Republican seriously
wounded in that battle. For him it
was truly battle royal. Through
sheer pluck he won the district from
the enemy six years ago by q plural
tty of 4,342, defeating both q Democrat
and a Populist. although their COM
bined vote showed a majority of 4,142
against him. He retained his grip
upon the district two years later by
plurality of 6.136 and a majority of
5.5S1. Two years ago he again won
a victory by a plurality of 3,197 and Il
majority of 2,lfS These defeats
taught the opposition q lesson. Last
month the Democrats and Populsts
united on a candidate. and carried the
day after a desperate struggle. de-
feating him by over 1000 majority.
lormer was then the acknowledged
Republican leader in the city and
county. and was looming up as a
power in state politics.
I.orimer is muscular and well-knit.
He has light blue eyes and a pure
Saxon complexion. His thick flaXen
hair and welltrimmed mustache re-
call pictures of the old Anglo Saxon
kings. A born political ader. he has
absolute control of his nerves. excel
lent Judgment, and great reserve force.
master in political strategy. he
never forgetS that silence is golden.
and that eternal vigilance is the pric
of political power. His career aptly
illustrates the possibilities of political
life in America. 1t is peculiarly pic
English boy. when only nine years
old. His father Presbyterian
Clergyman. died a year afterwaru.
leaving his family almost destitute.
The boy promptly put his shoulder to
the wheel. He became newsboy.
His first days work netted him Il dol
lar. 1t was the first money he had
ever earned He turned it in toward
the support of his mother and sister.
from this time Oh he was the main
stay of the family. Fancying he could
do better as boot black. he went
into the business. He made more
money than before, bul the business
was distasteful tn his mother. She
secured him place as an errand boy.
The pay was so small that he again
took up the sale of newspapers. alter
mating it with his duties as Il knight
of the brush.
A regular patron at this time was
the Hon. Michael Kenna who has
since then achieved Il national repu-
tation under the sobriquet Of Hinkey
Dink When fifteen years old Lori
mer became a runner for a laundry,
and finally got work with pork
packer. The employment disagreed
with him, however, and he obtained
a situation as Il street car conductor.
This lasted five years. He became a
member of a trade union, and was ac-
tive in organizing ii benevolent asso>
ciation among his fellows. He also
began to develop a taste for politics.
An ardent admirer of James G. Blaine,
he took an active part in promoting
his aspirations to the presidency. He
complained bitterly of lack of or
ganization among Rlaines friends. On
the day of election for Il long time he
sought Blaine ticket in vain. There
We're no such tickets in his precinct.
He searched an adjoining precinct, and
finally obtained what he sought.
Chagrined beyond expression he Or
ganized Republican club. There
were thirteen members. For months
they met In the family kitchen. This
organization is today the foundation
upon which the party organization is
built. The young men had no expcr-
fence in practical politics. All they
wanted was an opportunity to vote
for the men of their choice. Embold-
ened by their success they made a
fight at the primaries for delegates
to the city convention. and won It. In
1885 I.orimer became member of the
central committee, and has retained
the place ever since. In the following
year he was elected constable by 127
majority. He afterward became as
sistant superintendent of water-pipe
extension, and wound up as superin-
tendent of the water office. These are
the only political places he held prior
10 his election to congress. lie sought