Milford chronicle., 1901-03-08
The Election of
Senator Gitkinz.

John Gitkinz had spent two terms In
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 Iegisla-
ture of the far western state which
would meet to choose his successor
within two months was evenly divided.
Exactly half its members on joint bal
lot belonged to the political Organiza-
ton Of which Senator Gitkinz was one
Of the heads. For purposes Of identif-
cation 1t may be called the Blue party.
The Red party, which was bitterly Op-
posed to Senator Gitkinz, had an equal
number 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, 1t 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 Git
kinz's house in the town Of Carton.
They were smoking and looking into
the fire. Gitkinz himself was large
man Of So, dressed so well 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
shaven. 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 1t. Even great men. Il
may be remarked, have their little van.
tiles.
The man standing next I'D e was
Gregory Uppman. for oAore than /;
years the private secretary Of Senator
e Gitkinz. He was rather small. with {
? smooth manner, an educated hanC
grasp and a thorough acquaintanc,
with practical politics.
The third man In the room wa
Charles Swerin. tall. thin and gaunt
n with faded blue eyes looking on
4 through big bowed gold glasses. H
n looked the part of n student, a ches
n player, perhaps, or a philosopher, use,
$ to concentrating his mind for a Ion
. time on an abstruse problem. Swerin'
D name never got into the papers. II
had no apparent business. Yet he liz
, ed well and was always well supple
q with money. To the few he was know
Il as ''the brains Of Senator Gitkinz"
e The three were completing their pla
It of action for the campaign so close &
hand.
"a give gone over all of them" sal
t Swerln, land l think we had bette
: concentrate on old Senator Mari.
PC will seem more natural If he fiOps tina
d, If one of the regular Reds comes q,
re to us. Let's see what you've got {
ia Mari, Gregg"
The private secretary got up. unlOc
ed and opened the doors Of tall cal
net II was filled with little pigeO
holes, each of them numbered. In
MI drawer below was a list of the mel
~ bers of the state legislature, the nuI
in Der opposite each name being the san
al as that on one Of the pigeonhOles abON
&C. He ran his finger down the list to t
er name Of Mari, noted the number 0
posite 1t and then pulled from the cal
~ ~ net the little tin box which bore t
90 same number. The box was half ell
nd with papers and clippings.
he "Alarr was born in New York state
IS began Uppman. His father was
cd farmer. The old man died while Ma
en- was In the district school, and he
ne had to support the family ever sim
He was admitted to the bar when
was 40 years old. He is attorney
~ the street car company which owns I
,Ss line in Hartil, his home town. This
NJ the first time he has ever held Office.
n Is rated at from $1,000 to $4,000 P
Va sOnally he Is said to be a prohibit,
list, though when he was in Chica
rsi last winter he took a little fun with {
us boys. He has an exemplary reputat
,.;- In Hartil. DOrsOn does not think b
,ol a man Of strong character"
tie 81 think ] know how to manage
Nv man Marr," said Swerin, after a /
ments pause. "DOes he know y
zed Gregg"
tile ''NO; never saw him in my life
my "Well, I want you to find out
about that street railway line VIII
he represents as attorney. Get its c
ltal, It's condition. and the names Of
tod chief owners, and try to find
SOL whether it can be bought at reas
dis able price"
II a Within week State Senator NJ
lere received a letter from a Chicago i
iout yer asking If the Hartil street car l
Inc for which he was attorney, was on
.llh market. If 1t could be bought a
'In reasonable figure, the lawyer wrote
,nst might be able to find a purchaser
, of 1t.
and 1t happened that the Hartil st
less Car company had never been pr
,uld able investment. It's owners were
lutte cal capitalists, who had been CHI
ncy' moved to build the line by town pl
The best It had ever done was TO
expenses. Its owners, as Mari
n or would be delighted to get Il
the off their hands, prOvie
anv might be maintained
,ake He held a cOnfere'