Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-03-18
CHAPTER X.

| RAYMOND KILLS MORTIMER OFFICIALLY
And what had Francis Raymond beer
! doing?
He returned home the day after ht
had received word that the Mortimer!
had gone to Denver. His plot was pro
crossing favorablY, his mind was easec
Of worriment, and his step had al elias
ITCHY that distinguished him amoL The
pedestrians who rushed by the public
| buildings in the forenoon.
1t was Raymond's rule, as 1t is with
other political leaders less cautious even
| than he, to exact from every sppointee
a resignation with blank date. When
that official gets refractory, the date is
filed out in his resignation and sent in
by the leader to the proper officer.
With it goes recommendation OF an
other man for the Office. This is an ap-
pointment practically. 1t only requires
the form of an announcement through
the legitimate authority, who acknowl-
edges, without protest or murmur, the
power behind the throne.
Raymond held Mortimer's resignation.
The time had arrived to use 1t.
He walked into the Office Of the regis
trar of arrears. The deputy, now acting
registrar, was ELUSIVE in his greetings.
RAYMOND smiled Significantly at the
deputy, who followed him iuto the pri-
vate Office, where Raymond acted as il
it was his own. He sat down at the
desk, pulled out his wallet and extract
ed Mortimer's resignation. He unfold
ed il on the desk, took pen out OF the
rack backing the inkstand and filed in
the date. On the back Of one OF his own
cards he made a memorandum, 'E. r.
Black to succeed Philip Mortimer" He
inclosed the resignation and the card
in an envelopes aud addressed it TO the
mayor.
''Here, Black" handing the deputy
the letter, "send that over by special
messenger. You are the new registrar
Of arrears. Tomorrow, when you re-
ceive the appointment from the mayor,
l will suggest the man whom l would
like you to name as your deputy"
A suggestion, but it meant a COM
mand! The deputy simply bowed as
sent. There was no sentiment in the
matter. Each knew what was required
Of the other Words were superhuous
They shook hands. It was the only ex-
preston of congratulation from the one,
OF thanks from the other. Black knew
that tomorrow Raymond would name
the deputy, and ere the officials ap-
pointment was handed over ask his
own resignation for use in an emer-
gency-that is, Raymond would ask it,
il Black was so obtuse as not to save
Raymond the trouble and himself
abasement by having 1t ready when
Raymond called.
The evening papers announced the
promotion Of Black. Politicians read
the news and we're surprised. What
new deal was on9 The people-the dear
people-saW nothing in it calling for
particular comment. One official step.
ped down and out, another assumed the
duties Of the position, advanced accord
ing to the exalted rules Of civil service.
The mayor was an aristOcrat. BE had
wealth and social distinction. There
could be no deals traced to any action
of his, no degrading suppliance to any
class Of politicians.
So reasoned the people, il they pom
dered on the paragraph long enough 70
bring their minds into the 0yways Of
politics. Possibly not one out Of a
thousand OF them knew that the gla-
mour Of public life had daZZled the
mayor and that he carefully avoided run
ming counter TO the party machine over
which his respectabiltiy was thrown.
He was not committing political suicide.
During mis- term be had signed but one
L H. = oil
that for the renovation Of q conta-
gious disease hospital during smallpox
scare. The popular outcry was for
prOmptitude, and be was for popularity.
Every other resolution passed be had
permitted TO become law In the Oper-
| alton OF time without his signature.
That was q practice that enabled him
TO justify himself and to declare, il
wrong or fraud were ever charged, that
be had not sanctioned it. 1t was the
practice Of his predecessors, it is the
policy OF his successors, and will con-
tinue TO prevail as long as there is g
premium on hypocrisy and the people
are QuiesceDt.
BLACK" said Raymond, after reading
Of the appointment Ia the first edition
of the papers, for which he had waited
at the Office OF the registrar, Il want
you TO hunt up the files in relation 70
the property assessed to George Leland.
My memory is that the time in which il
can be redeemed is about 10 expire. a
friend OF mine is interested-you under
stand? Hunt up the date and have II
for me tomorrow.
1T expires on July a next. It is now
April u. Something over three months
yet"
"How do you know"
81 went over the books to-day"
"Why did you take particular notice
Of those blocks assessed TO Leland9
| They extend into several wards, and
you must have overhauled as many
books"
81 did" in an apologstic tone 81
couldn't help it."
"Couldn't help It. man; explain your
self!n demanded Raymond, beginning
to be nettled.
s'Yo don't think I was inQuisitive,
Mr.. Raymond, do you2" was the ering-
ing query as his promotion appeared
IN 4