The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-05
CONFESSIONS OF A BOSS
HE SHOWS TITO SIDES OF PO-
 LIIICAL LIFE
And Thinks It is About as Moral As
 Any Other.

a reformer. I attended the common
 schools of my native city--which glor-
 ies in being the most American of all
 the cities in the Union-and was grad
 uated from the Central High School
 the Peoples College. My father des-
 tined me for commercial life; but my
 inclinatlons were in another direction.
 A strong desire to enter the Legislature
 took possession of me. l went to the
 politica leaders who controlled the
 district in which I lived, and stated my
 ambition. They treated me in pat
 ronizing way and advised me to
 wait" I called again and told them
 that was in dead earnest and could
 not wait, and I was laughed at for my
 pains. It was here that my predom-
 inant traits-courage and persistence
 came into play. 1 am trying to
 let you see me as I see myself,
 I had $500. l used every penny of it
 in paying the legitimate expenses of
 my canvass. There were thirty dele
 gates in the district and 1t required
 majority to nominate. The nomination
 was equivalent to an election. When
 the count was made on the night of the
 primary it was found that my oppo-
 net--the slated candidate--had fifteen
 delegates, and that I, too, had fifteen
 delegates
 Both sides were surprised. In the
 confidence of youth had counted upon
 @ majority. The veterans on the other side were amazed that beard
 less boy should come out of the con
 test with contest. There was conster- 4tzl., Ttr0a night. The nominating convention was to meet at 1 o'clock in the morning. Ten hours In which to win the one wanting vote A caucus of my cham pions was hastily called To and be- hold! only fourteen of them respond ed In less than an hour one of my delegates had been stolen. But this was no time for crying over split milk The fourteen were as true as steel What was to be done? The answer was simple. Try to break into the ranks of the enemy. The whole strength of the opposition was con- centrated on the one weak-kneed dele- gate who had sold me out. They kept him in the upper room of hotel adjoining the convention hall, locked in and guarded. No attention what ever was paid to the other fifteen dele gates.
 The possibilities of the situation went through my brain like flash of light ming. I must fight fire with fire. Be- fore daylight two of their delegates were closeted with me in my room. | They said they admired my pluck and | perseverance. They inimated that they would like to vote for me in the | convention, but if they did so they would be accused of having accepted "a stake"
 But" pleaded I, "the accusation would be false'
 Yes" responded one speaking for both of them that would be the worst of tito get the name without the game"
 What" I said, speaking slowly. "would your friends believe you had received money for voting for me?"
 Not less than s250 apiece" was the quick reply,
 Meet me one hour before the con- vention is called together" I said.
 ran around town like mad. I suc- ceeded in borrowing $500. I met the two patriots, as arranged and, when the roll was called I was declared the nominee of the convention by vote of 16 to IA.
 Did I do right?
 doubt it. very much, indeed.
 did about what the average man would have done under similar cir- cumstances I wonder what the aver age business man would have done un- ( der the same conditions? ( The episode. however, made" me- so { far as political leadership was con- l The head men in the party took me to their arms. l was told that i the man who could make a majority t out of a minority over night must be z a man with a futre. Their rosiest pre- c dictions have been fulfilled c I became q natural leader in the Leg I islature and this brings me to anoth- s er significant incident in my public f career. One of the first things I did Z In the House of Representatives was to espouse the cause of the working | men. This was partly from motives | If policy, but not wholly so. I had q known poverty in my early life, but s had--and have-a real, honest sym oathy for the poor. l know how the q average workingman--that is, the man a who works physically-is handicapped " His own ignorance sometimes. the h lenagogy of selfish leaders and walk fl ng delegates occasionally the indiffer- u .nce and corruption of legislators only II o frequentoly, and, alas! now and then, a he prejudice and lack of integrity of lo he courts themselves h Well, one of the bills that received a ny hearty support was a measure pro- a ecting the workingmen in their right tc o belong to labor organizations. It u vas bitterly fought by a railroad cor d 'oration which had blackisted all of w ts employees known to be connected if n any way with organized labor. u The lobbyist of this road approached Ii ne on the day the bill came up on final assage in the House and said that all l f his efforts agianst the measure nc 'oud be fruitless unless he could get ca wo more votes on his side. He asked 1e to finnish him with the votes-said hat my own and that of a man I was he nown to control absolutely would turn ta efeat into victory for him. He offered ar le $10,000 spot cash to do this. Did I - fleet a virtuous indignation? Not at Il