Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-02-16
The Election of
Senator Gitkinz.

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John Gitkinz had spent two terms Il
the United States senate and was anx
ious to go back for another six years
Unfortunately his prospects did not ap
pear to be the brightest. The legisla
ture of the far western state which
would meet to choose his successor
within two months was evenly divided
Exactly half it's members on joint bal
lot belonged to the political organiza
ton of which Senator Gitkinz was one
Of the heads. For purposes Of identifi.
cation it may be called the Blue party
The Red party, which was bitterly OPP
posed to Senator Gitkinz, had an equal
humber Of votes in the legislature,
lacking only one. The odd man was
State Senator Mari, elected as an indie
pendent from one Of the interior coun-
ties Of the state. If Mari voted for
Senator Gitkinz, his election was as
sured. If, as was expected, he voted
for the caucus nominee Of the Red par
ty, it would be necessary to detach
some opposition member from his par
ty allegiance. That was the problem
which Senator Gitkinz was facing.
Three men sat in a little room Open
ing into the library of Senator Cit
kinz's house in the town Of Carton.
They were smoking and looking into
the fire. Gitkinz himself was O. large
man Of IS, dressed so we'll that his
clothes were not at all noticeable. His
heavy figure was topped by large and
well shaped head. His iron gray hair
was worn long and his face smooth
shaver. With his deep set black eyes
and eagle beak he looked not unlike the
pictures of Daniel Webster. Early in
his political career the resemblance
had been marked, and he had ever
since cultivated it. Even great men, it
may be remarked, have their little van
tiles.
The man standing next the table was
Gregory Uppman, for more than Is
years the private secretary Of Senator
Gitkinz. He was rather small, with
smooth manner, an educated hand
grasp and thorough acquaintance
with practical politics.
The third man In the room was
Charles SWerin, tall, thin and gaunt,
with faded blue eyes looking out
through big bowed gold glasses. He
looked the part of student, chess
player, perhaps, or philosopher, used
to concentrating his mind for long
time on an abstruse problem. .Swerin's
name never got into the papers. He
had no apparent business. Yet he liv-
ed well and was always we'll supplied
with money. To the few he was known
as ''the brains of Senator GitkinZ."
The three were completing their plan
Of action for the campaign SO close at
hand.
give gone over all Of them" said
Swerin, "and l think we had better
concentrate on old Senator Mari. 1t
will seem more natural if he flops than
if one of the regular Reds comes over
to us. Let's see what you've got on
Mari, Gregg"
The private secretary got up, unlock
ed and opened the doors of tall cabi-
net. 1t was filed with little pigeon
holes, each Of them numbered In a J
drawer below was list of the mem
bers of the state legislature, the num-
Der opposite each name being the same
as that on one of the pigeonholes above.
He ran his finger down the list to the
name of Mari, noted the number op:
posite it and then pulled from the cabi-
net the little tin box which bore the
same number. The box was half filed
with papers and clippings.
"Marr was born in New York state"
began Uppman. "His father was
farmer. The old man died while MARI
was in the district school, and he has
had to support the family ever since.
He was admitted to the bar when he
was 40 years old. He is attorney for
the street ear company which owns the
Inc in Hartil, his home town. This is
he first time he has ever held Office. He
IS rated at from $4,000 to $4,000. Per-
sonally he is said to be a prohibition
st, though when he was in Chicago
asst winter he took little fun with the
boys. He has an exemplary reputation
n HartiL Dorson does not think him
man of strong character"
NJ think I know how to manage old
nan MARI" said Swerin, after mo-
nent's pause. "Does he know you,
5regg
mo; never saw him in my life."
"Well, I want you to find out all
bout that street railway line which
re represents % attorney. Get it's cap
hi, it's condition, and the names of it's
hlef owners, and try to find out
whether 1T can be bought at a reason
bic price"
Within a week State Senator Mari
eceived letter from Chicago law
er asking If the Hartn street car line,
or which he was attorney, was on the
market If it could be bought at a
aasonable figure, the lawyer wrote, he
hight be able to find purchaser for
It happened that the Hartil Street
ar company had never been a profit
BILE investment. Its owners were To-
oil capitalists, who had been chiefly
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