Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-31
ONE day in 1890 State Treasurer

November of that year.
ONE day in 1890 State Treasurer
~ Livsey suddenly disappeared. His
wife could give no clue to his where
abouts. An examination of his books
showed that they were In perfect order
and every security to the last dollar
accounted for.
This fact disproved the impression
that Livsey. who was confidante OF
Quay, had disappeared as defaulter.
The incident lost its sensational fea-
lures after an audit of the books dis
closed nothing wrong. 1t was then as
sumed that Livscy had wandered away
in a fit of mental alteration. but all at
tempts TO locate him through the ensu-
ing months failed utterly.
The routine of the office was carried
along as usual and that same year
Henry X. Boyer was elected his sue
cessor.
The mysterious disappearance of the
state treasurer finally ceased to be a
nine weeks wonder and he passed into
the limbo of the forgotten.
CEVERAL years later | received pri-
sey was living in Chicago.
| went to Chicago to the address
given. and on the ground floor OF a
four story apartment house under the
bell push in the vestibulc l read the
name "W. Livsey.'
Mr.. Lvscy. in shirt sleeves and slip
pers. answered the door in person. i
had known him for years aid his greet
:. ,n.J,ol aud NN.ithnnf tha
faintest trace of surprise at my pres
ence.
1t was Just as though I had seen him
the month before and had called on a
mattcr of business or to inquire about
his health.
He was not in the slightest averse
to talking about his sudden departure
from Harrisburg.
| spent two hours with him and his
wife.
TIE SAID that the impulse to leave
l. l. the state with its turmoil of poll
tics came upon him suddenly one day
| in the office. He was tired. He wa'
| in a way disgusted with politics. ant
! there came upon him an irresistible de
sire to cut loose from it all and go away
where he was not known and live th'
rest of his life in rest and quiet.
He knew that his books and accounts
were absolutely correct and the securi
ties all accounted for. His mind wa
easy on that score.
If, as he said. he hG.. suggested t
the political leaders his resigning a
state treasurer. there would have beer
a general protest and he would hav'
been compelled to remain at his post.
He simply left his Office one morning
went to Chicago, rented an apartmen
and started life over again. He subSe
uuently sent for his wife. He nevc
changed his name or took unusual pre-
cautions to conceal his identity.
He told me that he was perfect,
happy: had sufficient to keep him an
his wife the remainder of their live
and that nothing could induce them t.
return to Pennsylvania.
| never saw him again. He died
few years after.
TTENRY f. WALTON and Henry X
IL Boyer are the only men in the his
tory of the commonwealth who wer
ever chosen three times at three Sepa
rate sessions speaker OF the House a
Harrisburg.
This covers a period of 12S years an
ninety sessions of the Legislature.
On three occasions, therefore, Speak
ers Walton and Boyer were recipient
of the customary gifts bestowed b.
members of the House. irrespective o
party affiliations, upon its presidin
officer. Boyer resigned in his thir
term.
These presentations are invariabl.
made at the close of session. The
are usually a silver service, desk, watc
or other equally valuable memento.
4 silver service is the most popula
tribute.
Clerks and minor officials receiv
watches, rings, gold headed canes. um
brellas and small purses of gold.
NIOW and then a popular member
~ presented with some gift or toke
of regard.
1t is a little personal testimonial fror
n few friends; or perhaps from mem
hers Of committee to popula
chairman.
Only once in half a century, fro
personal knowledge and talks wit
"ancient" members, is there an instanC
where the House, as body, offered
testimonial to one of its members in th
shape of a substantial gift.
George '. Lawrence, of WashingtO
, county, was the member thus signal
honOred.
MIR. LAWRENCE was the olde,
1N1 member of the House in the sessio
of 1S9J, and one of the oldest men VIII
had ever been elected 10 that body.
He had served previously in the ses
sions of 1885 Ad 1860, and thirty fy
years later vs. again elected, thin
UNPRECEDENTED in the hisi,-y of ii
Legislature.
, lie was a tall, gaunt man. with
weak voice. who commanded attentio
because of his years and experience.
,INNE Of his most interesting stOrie
, ~ reminiscent Of his first session
1850. was how he drove in a buggy fro
Washington county across the noun
tains to Harrisburg.
The story furnished tip to Speak,
Walton and some Others.
At the close of the session of 1SG
when the customarysdistributi Of gif
was in progress George V. Lawren,
Q received horse and buggy.
{ 1t was a gift from all the member
D It was given with the idea that he mig
return to his Washington county hon
trayersing the same roads he had TO
2 lowed thirty six years before.
o And so he went back. receiving
o little ovation at every town on the wa
Money has been so lusy making b
e mare 20 that he has apparently owe
: looked the dark horses.