Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-11-03
WILLIAM iORiMeR.

William Lorimer is running for his
fourth term in Congress as the Repre-
sentative vi the Second Congressional
District. Incidentally he is giving a
large part of his time to making a sue
cess of the Republican campaign in
Cook County.
Mr.. Lorfmer was born of Scotch par.
ents in Manchester England April II.
tS6l. aud for Il man only 80 years of
age has reached a prominence political.
ly attained by few men twice his age.
His father was a minister. AS boy
he found employment in the lowlest
lines. He made his first money as a
newsboy, purchased a bootblack's out.
ut. and for a time earned a livelihood
stunning shoes in Clark street.
His mother secured for him a place
as errand boy with Carson. Prize. Scott
x Co. He stayed there until he became
solicitor for laundry and was gradu.
ated from that position to one with the
Wilson Pork Packing Company. After
learning the business he went to work
Tor Armour & Co.. and later for Nelson
Morris. His health failed while he was
1T work for Morris and he took place
with the West Division Street Railway
Company as conductor. He was con.
ductor for Ave years. and while at that
work was one Of the organizers Of the
Street Railway Employees Benevolent
Association.
His first political work was in behalf
Of the late James @. Blaine in the cam
paign Of 1884. and 1t consisted largely
OF talks on the platform of his street
car with patrons of the company.
After the election of 1854 he began
to take an interest in political organiza-
tion work, and his first attempt in this
line was made In the kitchen of his
mothers home at % Lisle street. Thir-
teen young men participated in the
meeting. and they organized the Young
Mems Republican Club of the Sixth
Ward. In 1885 Lorimer was elected
County Central Committeeman. and he
has been a member of that body ever
since. In 1886 he was nominated for
constable on the West Side and won
by 127 votes. 1t was his first political
office.
His second position was that of as
sistant superintendent of water pipe
extension in the City Hall. and the
third was superintendent Of the water
office. His three terms In Congress, In
addition to the places mentioned. are
the only political jobs he has ever held.
In 1898 Mr.. Lorimer entered the real
estate business with william J. Muir.
ply. In 1890 he was beaten by three
votes for the nomination for County
Clerk, and in 1892 he was nominated
for Clerk of the Superior Court, but
was beaten with the rest of the Repub.
iican ticket in the landslide of that
year.
In 1892 he became a resident of the
Tenth Ward. and In 1894 was nominal.
cd for Congress in the Second District,
then Democratic, and supposedly made
Democratic by apportionmeut. Lori.
mer won by 1900 plurality. In 1896 he
was renominated and defeated John
Y. White by 6,7OO majority. In 1893
he defeated G. Porter johnson by
$500 majority. He was nominated for
the fourth time at the beginning Of the
present campaign, and notwlthstand.
ing the usual Democratic majorities In
the wards composing his district he
feels confident of being returned for
another term.
In Congress Mr. Lorlmer has kept up
his record for hard work and constant
application to duty. He upset all pre-.
cedents Immediately after his inaug,l.
ration for his first term by pushing
through a resolution for an appropra.
ton for immediate work on the new
Chicago pOstoffice In the face of the
most determined opposition.
He was largely instrumental in Sc.
curing the passage Of the bill appro-
priating 100000 for the improvement
OF the Chicago River, and another
$25O,OOO to pay for the government IN
spection Of meats intended for export
He introduced and had passed a bill
amending the arbitration laws to pro
hibit the blacklistlng OF employees by
railroads and other corporations, and
his wOrk for a postal savings bank bill
has attracted attention.
OF him Amos J. Cummings, the In
nous Washington correspondent ant
Democratic Congressional leader, said
in recent article:
mo man In the House yields more
personal influence and none shows
more judgment and less self-conscious
ness. He is the only Republican who
can carry his district. He won II from
the Democrats. and he keeps 1t by hi
personal popularity"
-
CHARLES S. CUTTING.