Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-01
1.-THE WIZARD OF cONLIN."
New Book by Thomas Edwin Smith of
This CITY.


The Wizard of Conlin,'' politi-
cal novel by Thomas Edwin Smith, a
Rock Island writer, is a story of
current interest in these stirring
days of politics. 1t is, moreover, a
book outside the beaten track of
storytelling. and, whatever its lit
erary faults may be, it reveals a
realistic picture of love and intrigue
allied with political ambition.
MIR. Smith, who is also the author
of Political Truth" as will be re-
memtered, yields trenchant pen in
the field that seems to best engage
his talents as a writer. Certainly his
new book, which has for it's full title
The Wizard of Conlin; Tale of an
Election shows an intimate ac-
quaintance with the ways of the
world, to say the least, and will be
read and judged upon its merits as 4
story along original lines.
The characters in the book are
strongly drawn, especially those of
Richard Parks, the millionaire politi
cal boss of western city; Albert
Scott, Il rising young lawyer, who
though deeply in love with Margaret
Parks, daughter of the millionaire. is
her fathers bitterest opponent and
the leader of the Anti-Corporation
party; and the man Vale, subservi-
ent tool of Parks, who foully murders
Editor Mason.
1t will be seen that the story is
not only sensational in character, but
it also has directness of purpose, and
holds the re9der's attention to its
tragic ending.
As an example of style we quote
the following passages descriptive of
election in the city of Conlin:
Election day! And perfect day
at that. The sun shone with the
brightness of political ringmaster's
countenance after he has succeeded
in making a lot of thick-headed,
hide md partyites believe some
thing glaringly false and inconsistent,
and which his hearers know to be so.
The streets were lined with excited
voters and heelers and cool, designing
politicians.
1.-The party wheel-horses, who had
managed to figure somehow that nc
election could be conducted without
their aid and advice, were to be found
on various street corners.
Drunken men, gam blers, and
other vicious individuals, were also
greatly in evidence and in much de-
| mand, as is always the case when the
people are contending for supremacy
against dangerous and oppressive
faction or law, and the proverbia1
| good fellow who is capable OF
polling more votes than any other
one man, was to be seen at every
| turn.
Then, too, numerous prominent
citizens and notorious saloonkeepers
wee frequently to be seen conniving
together, and the black man and the
millionaire shook hands and ex-
changed Pleasantries with the freedom
and familiarity of lifelong friends
| LAS a matter of course, working
men especially were sought by the
money-changers, and though election
time is the only period of the year
| when class and mass distinction goes
unobserved-and no one knows it
| better than the common people
many of the poor fools prided them
selves as having been exec ptionally
honored when they were rendered a
cheap cigar, a ride to the polls, or had
a piece of silver slyly slipped into
their palms, accompanied by an in
struction as to how thew should vote. -
The book has a strikingly attractive
paper cover, and The Wizard of
Conlin," as a story of it's kind, GER
tainly bears the stamp of novelty, and
will appeal to large class OF readers.
1t will be placed on sale at all news
stands within few days, and it's
price is 25 cents.