Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-01
OLD HARRISBURG DAYS
Stories About the Late Wi'llam n'
Andrews and ouay's Battles In
the LeglsIature--Why Ono
Mortgage Was Not Lifted
By GEORGE NOX Mccain
uARRISBURG will blossom with rem

BY GEORGE NON MCCAIN
JTARRISBURG will blossom with rcml-
IL niscences on the occasion of the open
ing of the legislative session next lu"sdas.,
Rpcollpctions not only of old members ana
senator's but of old and odd episodes that mad
to do with the political past will regaIe the
new generation. ooo -
The decade between 1890 and 1900 was
perhaps the most stirring, sensational anr
generally hectic period in the history vi
legislatures in Pennsylvania.
Liquor ran like mill stream, and ruinors
ms to the use of money like a softly flowing
fountain.
II was during these years that Matthew
Stanley Quay fought his greatest battles ..
William H. Bull Andrews was in
these same years the pcrsonihcation of wha'
the Independents termed 'pernicious poIt-
icaI activity" And "Bull' was some per
rcious," as the late Alfred Henry Lewis
would remark.
WHEN Quey was fighting for his seat IN
w the Senate in 1900, Andrews was his
fidus AChates. He fought as hard for the
Beaver man as though it had been MS own
contest.
Among the members of the House was ono
old fellow from n small county who had been
elected without instructions as to the sen
atorship.
Emissarics from each side had visited him
after election at his home, but neither had
been able to secure his plcdcc.
In this condition Of political INDEPENDENCE
he reached Harrisburg for the opening ot
the Legislature
Hon. William II. Andrews, as the story
goes called at once on the rlralist to sound
him out. Quay. his political and army
record and his fitness for the place. was tho
text for the talk.
And the old chap, an apparently inter-
cstcd listener, seemed duly impressed,
L'INALLY Andrews. gradually growing
L more confidential. inquired:
Farmer, | supposct'
yep; got n little place, but it don
amount to much.
"Mortgag"d, I suppose" continued Will
liam.
"Oh, yeh few hundred dollars on it..
How d you like to lift the mortgage and
have the plac" clean as whistler
"Wa-al il would be nice, but y'Scc a
friend of mine holds the mortgage and hos
easy on me any time don't come up prompt
with the interest.
'Lemmc tell you." suggested Andrews in
IL confidential tone. 81 think Know where
EE0q EEiY7 can ca! get five new one thousand dollar
What for was the uneasy query.
"Why. to pay off that mortgage" was
the reply.
The old fellow crossed and recrossed his
legs as if in deep thought, and finally replied;
Now, what would l do with five new one
thousand dollar bills? ! couldn't git '"m
changed up in my county. If l deposited
'em in the bank back home everybody d
know Of it and thcy'd d wonder where in
thunder got thnt much money all of Il sud-
den. Still Id like to git shut of that mort
gage.
"rell you what III do" he said in con-
clusion. "rhercs n delegation of the boys
from my county comm down to Harrisburg
tomorrow for the openin' and I'll put your
kind offer up to EN- and sec what they say.
NO, no" almost shouted Bull as he
started for the door. Don't say IL word tc
cm. Anyhow, I'm afraid ! couldn't help
you, for the fellow mightn't have them thou
sand dollar bills by now
\E1lLLTAM II. ANDREWS was the
w clcverest. most astute and vet the most
| daring political manipulation in the state
during his time.
He had the admirable attributes Of
| patience good nature indumitablc pcrscver
| ancc and kindly heart, whatever else may
| be said of him on the other side
| | know personally Of old politicians down
| and out whom Andrews helped financially
long after they had passed tn" time whcr
! they could be Of even the r"motcst service {"
| him.
lie died within the last year down in New
| Mexico. ] am told that the fortune he had
| accumulated in hi, mining and railroad v"n-
| lures down there had largely disappeared.
| His misfortune was due to speculation.
ono Of tho best Of the many Andrews
| stories concerning his political activity has
| its locale in southeastern PCnnsy lvania.
| TT WAS during particularly bitter cam
L paign in the decade ! have mentioned
when tho ltcpyblican party was split down
the middle ana across the back by factionaI
| strif"
Andrews was cspccaly active in wha,
were regarded as doubtful counties for the
fight was So close TINT every delrgat,
counted. No prospective gain was over
locked.
In one of the lesser baliwicks the "Bull. y
as he was familiarly known in the world o.
politics, was active beyond precedent in tn,
distribution Of favors, which he carried in ;
small black satchel.
Attempts Of the opposition to catch hin
were unavailing. He was as swift in move
m"nt and execution as cyclone and a
silent as zephyr.
Finally one midday a wire flashed int
| the opposition headquarters:
4" Bull Andrews under arrest Caugh
him with the goods, black satchel and all
Spread the news"
The press department instantly began th
| preparation of news STORY for State-wid
delivery. 1t was TO be- rrgpIar killer. Tn
rhicf purchasing agent uf 'in 'gtug" in tn
tolls at Int all that sort uf stuff and moro
Everything wa, ready for the scnsationr
dcnoUrurut when another mrs,agc arrive
from the aamr source" it was fairly franti
in its appeal It read:
"For hravrn's sax" kill story about 'Bul
Andrews being cuught with the good
They've caught cur mun.'
The fact that girl in Mount Braddoc
dressed in hurry and put on one blaC
stocking and one brown one is telepranhr
all over the country and wins first page posj
tion. Chicago prohibition cnforcemeI
agents are warned that women are carryir
hOoch to Cabarets in Elsie cellars" Clev,
! lands county tax assessor S"ts aside a roo
> where women taxpayers may withdraw M
I counts from "Islc banks free from ma,
Culnc supervision. Ever consider the new