The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-13

would be accused of having accepted "a
But" pleaded I. 1.-THE accusation would
be false"
Yes" responded one, speaking for both
of them, that would be the worst of it
to get the name without the game
What l said, speaking slowly, would
your friends believe you had received money
for voting for me?'
Not less than $3.50 apiece" was the quick
reply.
Meet me one hour before the convention
is called together" | said.
| ran around town like mad. | succeed
ed in borrowing $500. | met the two pa
triots, as arranged, and, when the roll was
called 1 was declared the nominee of the
convention by vote of 10 to II.
Did l do right?
doubt il, very much, indeed.
| did about what the average man would
have done under similar circumstances. l
wonder what the average business man
would have done under the same condi-
tons?
The episode however. made" me- so far
as political leadership was concerned. The
head men in the party took me 10 their
arms. [ was told that the man who could
make a majority out of a minority over
night must be a with a future. The
rosiest predictions have been fulfilled.
BECAME A LEADER.
I became a natural leader in the Legis-
lature, and this brings me to another sig
niicant period in my public career One
of the first things l did in the House of
Representatives was to espOuse the cause
of the workingman. This was partly from
motives of policy, but not wholly so. l
had known poverty in my early life, and
L had-and have-a real, honest sympathy
for the poor. l know how the average
workingman-that is, the man who works
physically-is handicapped. His own ig-
norance, sometimes. the demagOgy of self
iSh leaders and walking delegates occasion
ally. the Indifference and corruption of
legislators only too frequently, and, alas,
now and then, the prejudice and lack of
! integrity of the courts themselves
Well, of the bills that received my
hearty support was a measure protecting
workingmen in their right to belong to
labor organiza tons. Ii was bitterly fought
by a railroad corporation which had black
listed all OF its employees known to be con-
nected in any way with organized labor.
The lobbyist of this road approached me
on the day the bill came up on final pass
age in the House and said that all of his
efforts against the measure would be fruit
less unless he could get two more votes
on his side. He asked me TO furnish him
with the vOtes-said that my own and that
of man | was known to control absolute
ly would turn defeat into victory for him.
He offered me $4,000 spot cash to do this.
Did | affect virtuous Indignation? Not at
all. But L did refuse the bride, and /
helped to pass the bill. Moreover, l did
L
TO sign the measure, and was thus fully
enacted into law. 1 acted purely and en-
tirely from conscientious motives, and. as
was apparent, at great financial loss to
myself. The officers, directors and stock
holders of the corporation that employs
the lobbyist who offered me the bride stand
high in the community; and 1 have known
one OF them TO deliver public lecture de-
nouncing the wles and ways of polit-
clans and the prevailing corruption in our
public life
During all of this time 1 was prospecting
in a worldly sense. l served my party,
and my party served me. l became known
as a man of my word, which means much
in politics. | was let in on the ground
floor in many good things. Looking back
on 1t now. can say with elaboration that
my wealth was acquired in a legitimate
manner BY means of friendly tips L
bought stocks low and sold them when
they were high. L might have had twice
as much as | have, but L was always lib
eral with those around me, and scattered
my money with a lavish hand. i saved
enough to keep me comfortably in my old
days, and don't regret the rest. During
these years | was conspicuous in the coun-
ellis OF the party, helped to select cand-
dates. assisted in drafting the platforms
and was never in the background when it
came TO electing the nominees. But out
side of my legislative positions L never held
office.
BETWEEN CORPORATIONS.
When l was in my prime there occurred
a great contest. affecting the franchise for
one of the waterways of the State. Two
railroad companies were after certain
bit of territory which was important to
their development 1t was a struggle be-
tween corporations. never could see that
the public had much in it. Anyhow, 1
took sides. ! not member then; but
that didn't affect my usefulness in getting
votes. Being an ex-member, l had the
privilege of the floor and it didn't take
many weeks TO get all of the legislators
lined up. Many of the members took my
side because il was just what their con-
sttuents would approve. Others did it out
of pure friendship for me- Others still
wanted to be "staked.' / resisted the last
element as much possible, but not with
entire success. Our side But after
the session two of the granger members
who voted with paid off long standing
mortgages against their farms. And they
dldn [ do II from the proceeds OF the crops,
either. L can't bring myself TO believe that
L did any wrong in this matter. There
was a purchasable element in the Legisla-
of the Legislature. We simply went into
the open market and purchased our share
of that element.
If | might digress for a moment here |
would like to remark that in my humble
opinion. the corrupt minority in public life
Is about equally divided, whenever a d-
vision Is possible, and that honest men gen.
orally get their dues. 1t was certainly so
in this case, and L regard il as a typical
instance.
One more episode and I will conclude
Not many years ago syndicate with mill
lions on money behind il made a PROPOSE
ton TO lease the city works which fur
nished the people with one of tire prime
necessaries OF life. L will not say whether
the proposition was 10 lease the water
works, the gas works or the electric light
works, because many Of the men who took
part in the deal are living to-day respected
members of the community. ! have no de-
sire TO criticise them or point them out.
inside facts that may furnish food for
thought in considering the iniquitles of a
boss. / studied the matter over carefully
and came 10 the conclusion that the meas
ure was a steal. pure and simple. IL was
case of handing over public property
TO private corporation without giving the
people anything like what they should have
in return. l felt not only that the thirg
was wrong. but that IL would bring DIS
| -. H.. Qihar