New-York tribune., 1906-10-28
MERTON E. LEWIS.

Senator Merton E. Lewis of Rochester. Re-
publican candidate for Controller of the State
Of New York, has risen in politics chiefly be-
cause Of his success as a fighter for reforms.
His first big battle in this field was with the
prizefghters, and although he had to combat
the champions of the heavyweight the middle
weight and all the other wei ghts, and although
in the first round Of the bout he was knocked
down and almost counted out. yet he finally
triumphed
1t was at the beginning of the legislative ses-
sion of 1898 that Mr. Lewis struck his first blow
at the pugilists. AS an Assemblynan from
Rochester he introduced 8 bill repeating the
Horton boxing law, under the cloak of which
prizefghts were being held in this city by a
clique OF Tammany men. with the connivance
Of the police and Tammany officials Imme-
diately he found himself confronted by powerful
interests. which threatened unless he withdrew
his bill, not only kill 1t but him so far as his
political future was concerned. The reason for
this onslaught upon the Rochester Assembly
man was evident. The passage of his bill would
not only abolish prizehghting but 1t would cut
off princely source of revenue from its hackers
II would put out Of busfz4ss certain Tammany
men who arranged fights, decided who should
win and then "milked" the gullible public with
fake exhibitions. Senator Big Tim" Sullivan
made q furious attack the Lewis bill at its
hearing before the Assembly Codes Committee
which reported the measure so amended that IT
was a mere farce 1t was changed so as to
exempt New York City from its provisions thus
permitting fights where they could still enrich
Tammany. When the Rochester Assembly
how he had been tricked he surprised the
Assembly morning by asking it TO Kill the
emasculated bill The measure thus came 10 an
untimely end
Though routed. Mr.. Lewis was not defeated
He accepted a denomination for the Assembly.
although threatened by Tammany that, If he
did so, it would invade his district and by means
OF unlimited funds accomplish his overthrow
Ana the invasion was made. On October %
1893, The Post-Express,'' Of Rochester, printed
the following: The New York promoters Of
Prtzedghts have determined 10 defeat Mr. Lewis
for reelection TO the Assembly this fall They
sent Assemblyman 7. ?. Sullivan, better known
as Little Tim" 10 Rochester a few weeks ago
10 negotiate with Democratic manager to the
end that the strongest man possible be induced
TO run against Mr.. Lewis 1t is under
stood that the New York priZefght promoters
have promised certain Democrats in the 1st Dis
trict that they will furnish So 900 more money
than has been used already to aid in the election
Of Mr.. Lewiss opponent. The money is not TO
be put out until the latter part of next week"
But, in spite Of Tammany's efforts, Mr.. Lewis
was reelected, and s he returned TO
Albany he reintroduced his anti-priZehghting
bill. Big" and Little Tim" Sullivan along
with a strong array OF Tammany sporting men
their counsel and lieutenants. fought the bill at
every stage Of its progress. Mr.. Lewis however
had stirred up public opinion all over the state
10 such an extent that he forced its passage in
spite of its foes.
you legislators" he told the Assembly Com
mittee on Codes, will be held responsible by
the people If this Horton law is not repealed
The eyes OF the masses are fastened upon
you, and I tell you, gentlemen that whosoever
falls TO vote for this repeal is a doomed man"
1900. =
In the Senate. as in the Assembly, Mr. Lewis
has been fighter for reform. For example, in
February Of this year he astounded his fellow
Senators by rising from his seat and asking
that the lobbyists be driven from the floor. He
declared that for several days he had seen
Legislative agents., such as voting machine
advocates and gas lawyers. moving from Sena-
tor 10 Senator and engaging them in whispered
Conversations THE privileges Of the floor he
said, Should certainly not he extended TO those
who here solely to progress or retard the
course Of legislation IN which they are inter
Guiding the honest farmer from my district and
at the same time admitting the corporation
lawyer"
The Lieutenant Governor answered from the
chair that Mr.. Lewis had taken a praiseworthy
step. and he warned the doorkeepers to keep the
lobbyists out.
In dress. speech and manners Mr. Lewis is
a plain man. On ladies night in the Senate
Chamber. for example when many OF the mem
bers would appear IN dress suits. Mr. Lewis
might be seen Just before the upper house
was called to order, sitting placidly in his seat
clad IN everyday business clothes, with q
SLOUGH hat pulled down his eyes and srnok-
ing pipe. His simple tastes also shown IN
hts home in Culver Road Of the boundary
lines of the city OF Rochester It is an uarre-
tentious two story frame house, set in the midst
Of ample grounds, in which are planted fruit
trees Of many varieties. Concentration. he be-
lIeves is the chief element OF success; and
eccordingly e. he has confined his energies almost
altogether to two things-Iaw and politics
When asked recently by a friend If he had read
g. much talked Of novel. he replied
1T rarely, If ever read fiction. 1t takes my
time and attention away from more important
things"
seYes" interrupted the friend But light
reading will rest your mind that 1t can work
better afterward"
.'Verv true" responded the Senator with a slow
wink at believe in light reading, but along lines
that converge with my work that lead to some
definite central point instead OF flying away on
taneents For example. one OF my fayorite books