Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-02-05

nine times out of ten case Of yea
with string on it,"
II do not understand how this APP
plies to me-"
"Well, then. I've told you that wen
turn out and fight for you If you'll
agree to do certain things, but you're
unwilling to give as an out and out
promise in return for our help for fear
some of your rich club friends will trot
out the hammer. Old whiteieaf led us
into Jenkins camp two years ago, and
we got 1t In the neck. Our necks are
full Of bumps, and this year we won't
accept any pink string promises. If
you want to land in the mayors chair,
you've got to do business ON the level.
If you agree to that, Wen deliver the
goods, and, tell you frankly. we won't
unless you do"
81 understand now, Dan, what you
mean exactly, but do not feel that
should give pledges. 1t seems too much
like
You want to be mayor, don't your
Yes. but l want to win honestly"
"Well, now, If you want to be mayor,
let your friends make your platform
and go into the fight and win on it or
lose. Half the rottenness of municipal
politics would be done away with II
this rule were followed, for the win
ming platform would have to be for
the best interests of the city, or the
people wouldn't have III
you are quite a municipal student,
DAN"
do you agree with my theory?
81 must"
"Then all you'll have to do is to de-
eide as to who you want for platform
builders. Let them submit it to you.
IL you feel you can honestly carry out
as an executive what the platform de-
clares for, sign it. Let it be published
in the newspapers, and the majority of
the voters will decide on election day
whether the platform is of sound or rot
ten timber. Let members of the city
government be elected on the same
platform, and there will be a backbone
to your dministration-men working
under orders from the people, and not
a lot of puppets wiggled about by a
clique Of moneyed men, as is the case
at present. What is your opinion?''
"My opinion is that your views are
quite correct, but your associates and
mine might differ greatly as to plat
form planks and
Call together some of your friends
two men from each ward. Pick out
men of intelligence, irrespective of
wealth or social standing. Tell them
what you wish them to do. The plat
form will be drawn up by majority
rule, and the voters will decide wheth-
er it Is for the city's best interest or
not. Doing this, you establish prec-
edent. The opposition party will be
compelled to follow suit, and each side
will strive to present in future years
the best platform possible for the peo-
pies consideration"
"By Jove, Dan, your argument has
won me. and I'll do it!'
"You wilI?'
Eyes, and | want you to serve on
this - this platform committee from
Ndiu itlNC IL ~ gohA 1OOA JUG
ment to select for me a man from each
of the other wards. l will name a man
in each ward myself, and meeting
will be arranged for Thursday even
ings at the Worthy House. We will
try this municipal scheme of yours,
and. win or lose, will cheerfully abide
by the result"
GreenviIle Whiteleaf sat at his break
fast Friday morning scanning the col
umns of his morning paper. The ia
BILE girl entered the dining room in
time to see him tear page from the
paper and, after kicking his chair aside,
hastily leave the room. From the mo-
ment of leaving his breakfast table I'M
til the closing of the ward caucuses,
nearly a month later, the old banker
worked necessarily for the defeat of
Dick Dean and the success Of Jonas
Norden. Money was used freely, but
many of those who accepted it went
into the caucuses and, protected by
the secret ballot system, cast their
vote for the man who had dared to
say what he would do if elected. The
bankers protege was buried by a vote
of two to one.