The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1903-11-27
His High Ideals
DNWIDDIE JONES
scopyrisht, 1903, by Daily Story Pub. Co,

Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
RAYMOND MCINTOSH was man
n of high ideals and when he went
into politics he was moved not only by
a personal ambition, but also by the
keenest desire to serve the people
faithfully and to do his full share to-
ward raising the standard OF political
ethics. He fought the bosses" tooth
and nail and his voice and pen were
ever ready to attack jobbery and cor
ruption.
Before he took airy part in the great
political game he had talked it all over
with Mary. She approved entirely of
his ideas and plans, but was doubtful
of the ACCESSIBILITY of a man attempting
to stand up against the flood OF corrup-
ton and self-interest which dominate
politics.
"Are you strong enough, Ray?" she
asked gravely, and then at the ex-
preston of his face, fastened to add:
81 mean is the risk worth the while?
Will you not achieve higher success,
and much easier, in your profession
and not risk bunting your ideals and
perhaps soaring your soul in the fierce
fire of politics? You know how strong
is the desire to win once in contest
and I suspect the temptation to use
any available methods becomes almost
irresistible in the fierce fights of the
political arena"
But he laughed at her fears. HE
-, 4, n 1o
said, "and / reckon l have the nerve
and courage to maintain my convic-
lions. Besides the law and politics go
naturally hand in hand and both lines
of activity help the other I am going
to try it anyway, and some day l will
make you mistress of the White
House"
81 hope So" she said, quietly, "but
you must do it without staining your
honesty or honor"
And so Mcintosh went into politics
and he soon made the politicians know
he was there. He did not go in for an
office but took the most active interest
in every campaign. His stand always
was for the highest ideals and his intelli-
gent analysis of and vigorous opposition
to every scheme and every piece of
jobbery, gave him high standing with
the people and made him veritable
thorn in the sides of the politicians.
"For heavens sake, let's take him in
and shut mis- Internal clatter," ex-
claimed the Major one day in disgust
at conference over some split milk
chargeable to Mcintosh.
So, as the Major was the head of the
organization, it was decided to take
him in Accordingly he was invited to
the inner conferences of the leaders
conventions and on the stump. ESQ
was he offered any sort of nomiffa-
nation he desired that lay in the gift
of the machine"
To all this he listened with great
good nature and considerable pride,
but he was not deceived
81 thank you, SIR" he said to the
Major, when the subject was preached
to him, "and the other fellows as WELL
and l will be glad to identify myself
with the party organization and do all
I can to help things along; but it must
be distinctly understood that in taking
this position do not give up any part
of my freedom of action. I will con-
tinue to oppose those things which I
deem wrong and to insist that the par
ty take only the highest moral stand
in all matters"
Certainly, all that is understood"
replied the Major, suavely. "That is
understood. Every man has the right
of his opinions. We are working to-
gether only for the common good"
But Mcintosh did not succumb to the
ordinary methods. He could not be
tricked into becoming sponsor for
doubtful schemes, nor be silenced by
being placed at the head of commit
tees. He was nearly as offensive to the
politicians on the inside as the out.
Finally the situation became intolera-
BILE and the Major set his long head
to work on a solution. Mcintosh had
never displayed any anxiety for office.
He was doing fairly we'll in his prac-
tice, his prominence in politics aiding
him by bringing him before the public
Still his practice was not lucrative
enough so he could go to Mary with
the words that burned ever in his heart,
and ask that she set the day.
AS the result of the Majors cogita-
lions there appeared in the various pa
pers suggestions that Raymond Nc
Intosh be nominated for member of the
state board of equalization. These
suggestions grew into a demand. 1t
was pointed out that this board which
had to do with fixing the taxes of the
great corporations, and especially the
railroads, was under the gravest pop
ular suspicious as to probity and there
was crying need for men of the I'M
fmpeachable integrity of Mcintosh.
Citizens were interviewed and there
became a great popular demand that
Raymond Mcintosh be nominated and
to the end that he turn the fierce bat
teries of his analysis and eloquence
upon the iniquitles of the taxing body.
Mcintosh was highly flattered at the
movement, which came so evidently
unsolicited and unsuggested by the pol
iticians. The silence of the machine
leaders also pleased his vanity. They