Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-02
AN IMPORTANT MEETING.
The Ring Holds Special Session to
Discuss Ways and Means-The
Members are Much Exercised as

O1SCuSS ways anu m6duS 4uo
Members are Much Exercised as
to the Result of the Campaign.
A special meeting of the city ring
was called last evening and held its
session in the room in the rear of
Kirby's bank, There were present the
president and chief money loaner, D.
Matteson; the treasurer, Tbos. Kirby;
secretary and advisor, 1. S. Hallam;
fswner and tool, B. l.. Strother; legal
advisor, R. F. Russell, private hack
driver, Theo. st. Peter, and others. 1t
was an impressive gathering and deep
seated gloom rested on the faces Of all
present.
The meeting opened with the sing
ing of the familiar hymn, ''My soul is
weary and my heart oppressed" after
which the president, Matteson, arose.
He wanted to know what was to be
done next? 1t was evident that the
campaign was going wrong. He had
tried every possible scheme but TO no
purpose. The people refused to be
hoodwinked. Three of his best work.
ers had turned to Brady this week.
Something must be done.
Mr.. Hallam took the floor. He
thought the REFLECTOR was the
cause of it all. Those articles on the
finances were srousing the peoples
minds and would ruin everything.
"I'd like to Know who first gave the
public the figures for the REFLECTOR
to use?" snapped Matteson. "Why
didn't you have sense enough not to
make any report until after election"
81 didn't think of it," said Hallam
meekly, 81 won't next time-that is,
if ever do again." and he pulled at
his blonde moustaehe rehectively.
There's one thing" put in Mr..
Kirby, "we might do. There are
100 chattel mortgage notes for little
sums from $40 to $50 each of the city's
money here in the bank. Some are
past due. Supposing we offer to renew
them all and lower the interest from 2
per cent a month to II per cent if they
will vote for us? OF course, it takes
money out of our pockets but we can
raise the rate if we are elected" and
he winked knowingly at MattesOn.
On motion it was voted to do as he
suggested.
Now" said Strother arising meekly,
"what shall say in the News tomor-
rowP 1 have juggled those figures you
copied off down at the county treas
urer's Office last Saturday until they
/ look as though they might mean some
thing, but the trouble is the people
, don't care a cents worth about what
> happened ten years ago. They want
us to explain about things of today. "
Don't have to explain, the people
be blanked," roared the crowd.
"We're running this campaign"
Strother subsidized.
Father Russell then took the floor.
g ''My idea is the same as Herr Most's, y
he began, The money you get out Of
loaning the funds ought to be divided
equally among US all. Now jerry
o Simp-"
"You shut your mouth about any
h fool farmers alliance stuff" said Mat
: teson. "Just because 1 joined the
q citizens alliance to catch few pooI
q fellows votes don't make me believe
r in the stuff they preach anymore thar
! my giving so cents to the W. r. G. t.
catch the women's vote makes me
q woman-d'ye seeP'
n Street Commissioner st. Peter aros'
to question of privilege. He wished
4 to inquire if he would be needed Il
Z drive hack on election day. He Wa
really needed ON the streets but would
obey orders. He was told that o.
course be would be wanted.
Z About this time an unnoticed indi
+ vidual in the corner arose and Wal
Q seen to be Wun Lung who wanted tC
s know about opium joint licenses fol
Il next year. In the hubbub that ensued
= an adjournment was taken.