Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-05-20

ed ii. Yet Governor Culperson was
much pleased with his interview.
When he arose to go, Sam Wilson
complmcntcd him on his health.
"You are looking extremely well,
governor" he said.
The governor acknowledged the com
plimcnt.
"By the way, governor" said Will
son, ''are you older or younger than l
ann"
You are
.Sixty-scven."
"Ah, then, sir, am year your SEN
ior," said the governor. II am sixty
eight"
The statelylold figure, with its gold
headed CAM, tramped heavily away.
AS he he2fd its footsteps on the stairs
Sam wilson sank back again into his
old otIce chair and shook his head.
WRson had followed the world close
ly through his gold bowed spectacles,
and he lived In different generation
from Governor Culberson. In the old
school of politics man had become
just ripe for governor at siXty-eight.
Now man in his greatest strength
was none too strong. Sam Wilson re-
membered with n half smile the days
when fine figure and manners and
an uneNceptional family were chief
among the qualifications for the gov
crnorship The governor must be
fighting man now, with the physique
of an athlete, the intellect of Grim
inal lawyer and nerves like telegraph
wires. Arrayed against him was the
cleverest band of sharpers that the
country afforded, hired by princely pay
for what they could steal by outwit-
ting the representatives of the people
and especially this one man. The gov
ernor's work was not Cor benevolent
old gentleman. 1t may be different in
some other states, but we are killing
governors Mt forty-five.
Nevertheless Sam Wilson wanted the
governorship for our section and be-
gan to call for ii most heartily. At
the northern end of the state there was
some tendency to demur at first, but
the general drift of events seemed
favorable to us. There would be no diff
ficulty in finding the proper candidate,
the Herald asserted.
1t was at this time that Governor
Culberson began to enjoy foretaste
of the joys of victory. The old fash
Toned country politicians who formed
his council Of advisers considered the
choice already made. "Was there any
such candidate in our part of the
state?' they asked convincingly. BE
also received many calls and many
letters from homeless politicians who
wished to put themselves on record.
In a short time the governor consid-
cred it his duty to visit the Herald of
flee again.
81 have come, sir" he said to Wilson,
"to congratulate you on your apparent
success in unfolding the rights of this
section, sir"
The tough old newspaper man WINGED
at the task there was before him, but
he went at it with customary vigor.
YES" he said: "we're going to get it,
believe. Now, we have got to pick the
man. I'm glad you dropped in today,
governor, for have been thinking
over that matter pretty hard, and I'd
like to talk 1t over with you. I'll tell
| you how / see it. You know how we
are fixed. The times are hard. deyilisf
hard, and there's Il gang of rascals VI
there at the statehouse who would rot
a communion box. It'll be hard fight
but we want to knock them out, and
| we want a man from this end of the
| state to do it, a young man and a bust
ness man. I've given the matter goot
| deal of time, and l think have hi
| upon the right man for the place. IT.
| ex-Lieutenant Governor Miles Holcoml
of Johnsonville." He stopped a mo
ment to give emphasis to his words.
| "Well, governor" he continued, ''wha
do you think? How would HolcomI
do for the placer"
The old man had been gradual
stiffening up for the blow during Wi
sons explosive conversation. His fac
was nearly purple when 1t fell. II
arose to his feet.
'.NIr Holcomb is an admirable MAJ
SIR" he said. mo doubt he woul
make good governor, sir. Good da.
sir"
! Sam Wilson mopped his face as I'll
old man stamped down the stair
"Thats work" he said.
But Sam Wilson had something moi
to occupy his mind that day than SCI
timent. lie must bring out in the NOR
ing the Herald's candidate. He bent q
the best energies of a veteran politics
! pleader into his appeal for Miles &c
comb, and to close up all avenues {
retreat he quoted Governor Culberso
on the nomination. 'That veteran Leaf
er of the party the article ran, &c,
Lieutenant Governor Culberson, whe
consulted on the subject, expressed Ii
warm opinion of the choice"
This announcement of candidat
made more than usual row. Old Co
ernor Culberson had many friends 1
town. Besides, we have natural fee
+ ing that we do not care to hand over |
I Johnsonville anything we can reason,
II bly, keep ourselves.
"A sam wilson had his work cut out X
him, and he knew it, and the wor
part of 1t was his candidate was III
e sure he wanted to run. This stranl
0 phenomenon was brought about by pc
fectly natural causes. Miles Holcon
was the head of the big Johnsonvil
!, mill. He was leader in the ranks ,
e the men who do things. Big, broa
e shouldered, rough and shrewd, he W,
e the typical guardian spirit of u cote
IL mill, and he recognized that there W;
3. his place. Once he had taken time
: play lieutenant governor for term, b.
J, that was only side issue. He was n
anxious to let the big machine trund
e along by itself for two years while
IL went off to play governor. When
y first read his name in the paper, 1t W,