Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-09

Tins.
His Political Career.
Mr.. Moloneys public life dates al
most from the time of his admission
TO the bar to within few years ago
his last appearance in the political
arena occurring when he was defeated
for mayor by James +. Farrell in 1908
A natural leader, decedent was an i'm
portalt factor in the councils of his
party of the state, county and city.
His greatest stride in political adj
vancement was made in 1892, when HI
was nominated by the State Demo
cratic Convention for the office OF At
torney General and in the succeeding
November election defeated his Re
publican opponent by handsome ma
iority
Arriving IN the U. S. A., his adopted
home, in 1867, Mr.. Moloney deter
mined at once 10 study law He en-
tered the University of Virginia and
with the class Of II received his
Bachelors Degree. A few weeks later
he was admitted to the Virginia bar
and the same year came to Ottawa Il
open an office. He speedily became
we'll known in La Sale county, and
served Ottawa as city attorney in
lS79-Sc and 81.
m al 10.
torney, serving four years. where he
exhibited the same uncompromisinl
spirit as when he became Attorney
General. In 1892 he was nominated
by the State Democratic Convention
for Attorney General. and was elected
in November following.
While Attorney General Mr.. Molo
ney vigorously prosecuted illega
trusts and made aAnational reputation
through his work He secured man,
decisions ilimicable to these corpora
lions and favorable to the people. Al
ter his term OF Office had expired Mr.
Moloney opened an Office In Chicago
and went into partnership with T J
Scotield, his former assistant. Latel
he returned to Ottawa and opened hi!
office, as his own extensive bushes.
interests required a great deal of at
tention. He decided to devote him
self to the interests OF his home city
In 1898 and 1916 Mr.. Moloney took ;
vigorous stand for his country ant
there was not more patriotic citizcl
In word and deed in the state OF Hi
nois. He consented during the Span
ish-American war that his sol. Free
Moloney. might go TO the front witt
his company, Co. c. Third Illinois In
fantry. and personally accompanies
the regiment in all its camps and cam
paigns from Springfield to Chickamau
ga and Porto Rico. He helped tn
boys In blue in time Of privation. sick
ness and hardship with a generou
purse and his personal efforts, In
manner that endeared him to the SO
diers, their friends and all patriotic
citizens.
During the recent border trouble h
evidenced that same patriotism to
ward the Ottawa boys encamped a
I San Antonio.
While he was at the front In Port
Rico he was nominated by his part
for Congress. Later he was nearl
unanimously elected mayor OF Ottawa
Tribute BY Rev. Quirk.
4 The following Tribute to Mr.. Nc
\ loneys life was written fol- the Ire
TraderJournal by Rev. NJ. A. Quirk:
4 Today the city OF Ottawa loses 1t
foremost citizen, man who was
leader in business, political and rel
sious life, but whose efforts alon
! these lines were felt not only in thi
community, but reached far beyond i
Beng in every sense OF the word,
sell-made man. who alone ald unaide
had fought his way up from humbl
surroundings to the commanding pt
sition he occupied at Lis death, tn
Hon M. T. Moloney sympathized wit
every torn OF human endeayor IN
old adage, HONS sum, ct nil human
um me allie um puto," or as Henr
George expressed. it, Il am for man
was eminently true of General Mol.
ney. The number Of poor he ha
helped, the number of young peopl
struggling to get all education fc
whom he made it possible, will neve
be knowa until the Recording Ang'
announces it. He not only followe
the Sciiptural injunction, let not tn
left hand know what thy right han
glveth," but nothing annoyed MI
more than to have his secret charlie
disclosed. His intimate friends kne
some OF them, but no one Of us kne
them all During the short week
his last illness, tho writer had hear
OF many Of his good deeds, done ff
those of whose very existence he dl
not suspect. Mr.. Moloney was awar
No ingratitude or even abuse OF n
charity ever made him cynical
dried the springs Of his big, generot