The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-16
XVIII.
A FAILURE OF FINEssE.


Senator" they said to Shacklett, I'VE
think we see a way Of Kidding the state
of the boss rule that has been holding us
by the throat for so long," 1t was the
general who was speaking, and the preach
er kept up a continual nodding OF assent
while the other spoke, occasionally putting
in a word of his own. Eve have been try
ing for over fifteen years to have the peo-
pies sentiments represented In the conven-
tons of the party, but have accomplished
very little IN that direction. We have had
the machine cornered, and we seemed on
the very verge Of success when one OF its
constituencies tricks would cause our de-
feat. We held a conference yesterday. and
as a result we come TO you as a
representing the reform element in the
party. and with authority to speak for our
side and the many who desire better gov
ernment
1--WE have decided to try fnesse where
the strong arm of right had to succumb to
might and money and spoils. We come to
you after a close and full study Of your
career as a public man. We know that the
OiiOA wv OAC SO0 u yOH
have already attained. but we come to ask
you to be the Moses to lead US into the land
OF promise. sir. and to aid us, not because Of
any reward we can offer you, but in the
name OF good government, of the people,
for the people. and especially by the people.
instead Of for and by a ring Of office hold
ers self-perpetuating and corrupt through
out"
At this point Rev. Mr.. Barnes put in his
own oar. and said. in the grave. emphatic.
orotund voice which betokened his cloth
more than did his dress:
"Yes, senator, we believe that you will
aid US because you know II TO be the thing
to round out your career as a statesman.
You have been honored as highly as can be
attained by any man. but if you end your
political life by r~escuing the State of your
beginning in life from the political ring.
which nobody has succeeded in downing
thus far, it will be a fitting close for the
career Of a politician and a glorious end
for the political life of a true statesman"
Shacklett did not smile as he quietly
asked:
"You have not yet told how your own
machine expects to use me to break the
other one into bits. 1t strikes me that in
any event IL would involve considerable
work upon my part, with little chance of
success and the production of many antag-
ohisms with men who are now my friends.
I do not think I care TO play Moses at such
a price and with so little hope of winning
out. You know. Mr.. Barnes, that Moses
spent forty years at his job. and you know.
general. that it takes a long time to carry
a strongly fortified position"
At the cool reference to their own ma
chine the general WINGED. and the preacher
made a gesture of dissent. 1t was the lat
ter who answered Shacklett:
"But, senator, If we have been harmless
as doves in the eyes of the ring thus far
we have now become wise as serpents. Our
plan was devised TO avoid antagonisms and
/. to capture the citadel somewhat more like
the Greeks were led into Troy than like
Moses led the Hebrews into the promised
land.
I'VE a confidence that you are a man
who will give us the representative govern
ment that we desire. We are willing and
anxious to throw our whole strength to you
at the right time. That time we conceive
to be when the machine is trying to nomi-
nate you for Governor. To be perfectly
frank We want you to become the machine
candidate for the nomination, with the full
assurance that whatever we say about you
in advance every vote we have in the con-
vention will be cast for you on the first
ballot"
Shacklett reached over for the cigars. HI
turned his eyes from his visitors that they
might not see the twinkle in them, fol
here was a situation capable of surprising
the Oldest schoolmaster in practical poll
tics. He slowly cut off the end Of a cigar,
pushed the box toward the general with a
motion Of command 10 him and a gesture
OF understanding toward the preacher,
watched the match burn almost to his fin
gers. lit his cigar and poured out several
dense clouds before he spoke.
Gentlemen he said, ALLOW me to saw
that in the present condition of things In
the party your scheme does credit to you
as workers to a degree that fairly takes
away my breath. For the first time I think
that the machine"-with a slight bending
OF the head and a half wave of the hand
holding the cigar-'is up against the most
dangerous opposition il ever had. If exc
euted with the same skill thai has been
used in its planning your scheme would
probably win. 1 am duly grateful for the
confidence and honor you show me. But ]
am out OF politics permanently for a rea-
son which is purely personal and which is
insuperable. 1t is not necessary to con-
tinue this conversation, even enough for
me TO ask what pledges you would REQUIRE
OF the candidate whom you would use as a
wooden horse at the convention"
w picked out a man we were willing tn
take unpledged. There is no other In the
State, and If your ~declination stands our
rose-colored plans are turned to ashes OF
roses. sir" the general said. But. sena.
tor. We can't take It as a declination. and
Wen still hope that a little more considera.
ton will induce you to accept the offer we
make you. OF course, only about a dozen
OF US know anything about it, and the
facts will never leak out"
Shacklett walked over to the mantel and
brushed the ashes from his cigar into a
tray there. He remained standing as he
replied that he seldom changed his mind
and his visitors took their leave with care
full courtesy from both sides.
Its a magnificent scheme" ShackIet,
told his wife, land it makes the old culver
come into my nerves. but IL involves toe
much work for me now. The fact is, I find
I'm growing very indolent."
saTOn lazxr 70 oh1tr,,of tAo a, n