BIOGRAPHICAL 25 



known as the "old guard," an examination of his work will 

 show that he was one of the original conservationists. He had 

 a prominent part in securing legislation to protect the lives of 

 coal miners in the territories. He was a forceful factor in 

 establishing our system of forest reserves. It was also he who 

 prepared the law for the government and protection of Yellow- 

 stone park and of other noted national objects of interest. He 

 was also the author of a measure for the protection of birds, 

 adopted many years ago. Major Lacey will be remembered 

 as one who has contributed worthily toward the welfare of his 

 countrymen. 



Of him, Congressman S. F. Prouty said : 



Major Lacey was one of the brainiest men I ever saw. For 

 twenty years we were thrown constantly together in our law 

 practice, he at Oskaloosa and I at Pella. "We differed on pol- 

 itics, but were warm personal friends. Major Lacey was one of 

 the most influential men in Congress. He was an indefatigable 

 worker. He was an authority on forest reserves and w T as active 

 in the conservation fight. As chairman on the committee on 

 forestry he framed most of the laws dealing with forests and wild 

 animal preservation. 



As I have already indicated he was a Republican of the 

 "uncompromising conservative order, and without doubt 

 would have been indefinitely continued in Congress, and 

 probably elected United States Senator, but for the split 

 in or weakening of his party by what was known as the 

 "Progressive movement," with which he had no patience. 

 Through this he lost his seat in Congress, and was de- 

 feated for the United States senatorship by Governor A. 

 B. Cummins, after a close and somewhat embittered con- 

 test. He was more than once called upon to be a candi- 

 date for the office of governor, but steadily declined this 

 honor. After the close of his political career he fully re- 

 sumed the practice of his profession from which he never 

 separated himself and which had been ably sustained by 

 the help of his partner and brother, W. R. Lacey, under 

 the firm name of Lacey & Lacey. In the height of his 



