The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-12
To Make Jim
an Alderman.
FOLDERS ISSUED.
MelIen Now Sees His Fate
and Plays His Last Card.
James H. Mellen born in worces

James H. Mellen (born in Worces-
ter.)"
Well perhaps he was. OF course
worse things have happened and we
may be able to stand the shock. But
what's the use of rubbing it in. And
think of it! Ten thousand folders with
James face, his record and "(born in
Worcester)" on them flying around the
streets and the democratic committee
touching everything touchable for
money with which to carry on the
campaign. This is political economy
with a vengeance. This is utilizing
the utilities for all that they are
worth.
The circular is a pretty one. 1t is
printed on a fair grade of book paper
Across the top of the first page in big
black letters is the title THE Peoples
Law Maker and beneath it is James
Heavyweight Mellen, who was "(born
in Worcester)"
James looks as natural as life. He is
looking toward the southwest corner
of the circular with a far away gaze
as if some one on the state house steps
was waving q bunch of Doodle before
his eyes or as if he was trying to esti-
mate the cost of election in ward A.
There is no mistaking the likeness; it
is James all right. There is that smile
"a little soiled by poor distribution of
ink to be sure,-but still the same old
smile. You can almost see it start
from the corners of that mighty mouth
and chase itself over those majestic
features like butter over a hot griddle.
You can almost hear that legislative
laugh; and to think that there are TO-
900 of them! Tt is worse than an cpl
demic of contagious disease
Barring details, that cut Is an elegant
one. Little creases in the massive fea-
lures where the ink failed to distribute
add age and dignity to it. another little
spot up in the hair passes. for tinge Of
gray. These defects are positive, but an
irregularity on the left of the neck
leaves one in doubt. Can that be where
the republican axe is to fall on Tues
day next, or is it the BARRIERS fault.
Under the cut comes James record.
It starts out, lat the state house, and
relates how James ran the committee
on manufactures and other things.
Then comes a paragraph headed at
Washington, the object of which is
rather in doubt. The rest of the folder
is given up to ''at the city hall" in
which James relates how he saved the
city from bankruptcy in spite Of the
republican "StickS" who would persist
in frowning down efforts to utilize the
utilities" James forgets to tell how he
engineered the defeat of Lawyer John
B. Ratigan in the city committee, how
he sought to shut Councilman O'Con-
uells eye, and why DR.. Barrett was not
| invited to the democratic rally These
and various other things he neglected
to mention; things which would really
| interest the public.
On the whole, James circular is
worth reading-between the lines. 1t
will set a good many voters to think
ling.
Yesterday, James was greatly trou-
bled in spirit. He could not rest in
the atmosphere of home or church, and,
donning his coat and hat, he wended
his way to the city hall, where City
Clerk Towne was kept busy at work
arranging for election. When he left
the building, James came out between
| the iron gates guarding the lower en-
| trance, like a king out of a castle.
| Striding down the street with victory
on his brow and his hands in his pock-
| cts, James bowed graciously to the
| trolley poles, street cars and other per-
sons he met and then lost in an at
| tempt to figure out his election in ward
| 4, he turned abruptly TO the right and
| strobe across the patch Of prospective
lawn on the Front street side of the
| city hall. If there had been sign
| mo crossing" it would have made no
| difference, for James doesn't care for
| signs; he don't believe in them and he
won't until Tuesday. And ne kept on
| down Front street until lost to sight,
| though To memory dear