The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-06-25
BY THE OUT EASTER

in the south end. Pete was e fleet fielder, and strong hitter. It was his popularity in the sporting field that made the politicians of the day nominate him first for the Board of Aldermen. Somewhat quiet and reserved, Peter talked
 softly, but convincingly in his ap- peal for city Improvements for his constituency. Eventually. he be- came a member of the board of public works, and on this board, his position for an expansion of his ideas was more to his liking. Wash ington Hill acclaimed him from time to time for the good he brought along in the way of im- proved highways and better side- walks. Street questions were 8 hobby with him; he made a study of the city's plan of Assessment, the procedure to be followed in the lay ing out of new streets, and by-ways, and associated himself with the property owner involved in the pro- posed change of layout. This, he did, as part of his duty, he always claimed, as an alderman and as commissioner. His principal aim was to acquaint his people with the actual cost of sewer installation and newly established grades.
 But the greatest triumph of his long political career was his defeat Of John Hurley for the senatorial nomination of the 18th district in the Fall of 1910. Hurley was the recognized leader of the fifth ward, Peter had moved into the fourth ward. But both were eligible as the fouth and fifth wards constitutes the 18th senatorial district, as they do at the present time. Hurley had a large following in the fifth, and his nomination was claimed at the outset. still, Peter had hundreds of young friends among the base- ball and football lovers of the dis trict, and their vote, with that of the loyal friends of Washington Hill gave Peter the nomination. This was one of. the hottest" prim- ary campaigns of the time. The lower portion of Baldwin Street ral- lied to the side of Senator John, but the upper portion backed their native born son, and former near by resident. Peter sat in the Sem ate chamber at the opening of the 1911 session, when the Democrats had fewer votes than the Republi- cans. Judge Simeon E. Baldwin, a Democrat, had been elected gov- ernor. but the Lieut.. Gov. Dennis A. Blakeslee of New Haven, presiding officer of the Senate was Repub- lcan. Peters associate from the 18th district was the late Lewis A. Platt, 8 manufacturer, prominent In Republican circles.
 Had Influential Friends
 Politics figured actively against the Democrat not only during this particular session, but in advance, and later when Senator Hurley and Senator Joe Lawlor sat in the chamber. Waterbury was recog- nized as the leading Democratic city of the state, and the Repub- lican leaders were, as a rule adverse to granting any legislation recom- mended by the city government. But Peter Lawlor had staunch friend in Senator Platt, and with his aid, several of the measures sponsored by Senator Lawlor were approved and adopted.
 There was much in the life of Peter Lawlor we admired. In the first place, he fought for legislation that was primarily in the interest Of his party and it's people. He was not too partisan. but he believed in party Spoils being divided among its own members. He often said he saw too much of the narrow spirit displayed by the Republicans at Hartford. His experience, he claimed, made him more deter mined than ever to try and keep appointments within his own party. | When Peter went into the street department he had the confidence of the late City Engineer Cairns. His contacts and meetings with him were frequent, and the result was a better understanding of all of the complexities of road building and care; again, too, he had the confl- dence of the well-known William E. ] Kennedy, without question the most experienced man Waterbury has ever had at the head of its Street Department. Look back at those snowy winters; remember how Superintendent Kennedy and | his assistant, Peter, got the street | opened during the night for early | morning travel.
 Peter Lawlor was Q good and tried | citizen. Many will recall his | brother Jim. for years in the cigar business in the center, and the | manufacturer of that popular cigar | of by-gone years. known as "Old | Fifty" The Lawlors were all cigar | makers, Jim, Peter and Tom, and | probably some others we didn't know.
 But the family was so good, so |