Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-05-19

JO
Excuse me, Mr.. Grover" broke in
McCracken, earnestly, pulling a copy
of the evening paper from his pocket
with fingers that twitched in spite Of
him, will you please look at clause
six of that bill and give me your candid
opinion about it?"
The mayor glanced down the page,
his face showing a faint trace of per-
plexity, as if he scarcely comprehended
what the reporter was driving at.
"Oh-er-er-about South Clayton" he
remarked at last, the wrinkles on his
forehead melting away. well, I'll tell
you. That's the strongest part of the
bill. It's the principal reason / decided
to sign 1.-THE people over the river
should have had better accommoda-
lions long ago and"
McCraeken interrupted. "Mr. Gro
ver," he said, eagerly laying his hand
impulsively on the mayors arm,
doesn't it strike you that there is a
great deal more in that clause than
appears on the surface? Suppose you
sign the bill? You'll have given the
South Side Railroad company a grip
on South Clayton that can't be loosened
for 80 years. The railroad will have
the place by the throat and can do as
they please about fares, accommoda-
tons and everything else. The bill
doesn't say anything about three-cent
fares over the river; it says, exclusive
right to cross North river etc. That
seems to me to tie up South Clayton
pretty effectually in the way of trans
p~ortation and prevent its getting any
kind of service but what the South Side
railroad is willing to give. That 'ex-
elusive right business bars any other
road getting in there for 80 years,
doesn't it?
South Clayton is bound to grow.
There's two big mills there now and
more coming. BY and by, when the
people owe there wake up to the fact
that this franchise has sold them into
bondage to the South Side railroad, l
wouldn't give much for the political fu-
ture Of the men responsible"
McCracken paused, his swift speech
halted by the look of astounded COM
prehension dawning on the mayors
face. Good Lord" Grover exclaimed,
running n hand excitedly through his
hair, and staring at the newspaper in
the other as if it was an Internal ma
chine about to annihilate him, why
didn't | have n enough to see
through the trick myself? The South
Side railroad worked a mighty shrewd
scheme in that clause, but I'll block
their game if it costs me a second term
as mayor. You're right enough about
the future, but the South Claytonites
won't thank me for preventing theil
getting street railway service, l car
tell you-just now, anyway. You've
done Clayton a good turn, McCracken,'
the mayor concluded, obviously, "but
I'm afraid you've done for me politi'
| cally."
81 don't see it in that light" sale
McCracken, warmly. Suppose yor
veto the bill, and then put a signed
article in the Clayton papers stating
your reasons? Every man in the city
that stands for good, clean politics ant
has got sense enough to look ahead
few years, will see that you have don,
a wise thing and safeguarded munich
pal interests. Of course, you'll hav,
the railroad and it's influence to fight
but that ip't strccg enough to defea
YOU"
The mayor dashed the newspaper tt
the floor. you've hit it," he cried
Selling the reporters hand, and shak
ing it like a pump-handle. 81 believ'
I'm losing my OWL wits. The bills
downright steal, of course, on the fac
of it. If l show it up in the papers to
morrow morning l believe on my sou
I'd be sure of a second term even O
an independent ticket" Growers eye
suddenly narrowed at the corners
Look here, McCracken," he said
bluntly, 81 wish you'd tell me how yo1
happened to come to me with thi
business instead of rushing it int,
your paper? A sensation of this sor
would be a cinch for the Telegram
and would have meant something t
you personally, Ell? Besides, I've neve
regarded Mr.. Nichols as very friendl,
to me politically. There's always
reason at the bottom of everything
What's yours?"
Mr.. McCracken looked the mayo
squarely in the eyes. "I've got tw
reasons, Mr.. Grover" he said, slowly
Firstly, | have always believed 70
to be that uncommon person, a clea.
politician, and l hated to see your flu
ture chances ruined by something tina
wasn't your fault; secondly-well,
don't always intend to be a newspape
man, | hope to get into politics my
self some time, and if you go higher, a
I am sure a man as you will, I'd Xix
to have your friendship-and help.
Grover silently regarded for a ful
minute the alert, frank young fac
looking into his own, then all at ono
he laid his hand Familiarity on Nc
Cracken's shoulder. 81 thank you, M
McCracken, for your good opinion" h
said, feelingly. "and I can truly sa
that I have tried to be what you clair
l am. AS for the other part of it,
with a quick smile, you can rely o
me now or in the future for any as
sistance in my power that will furthe
your ambition. By the way" as Nj
Cracker reached for his hat, 81 don
mind saying, between ourselves, the
if I get a second term here in Clayton
l shall strengthen my fences for tn
legislative nomination, and l sha
need a s~ecretary--a sharp, brainy, an
bilious young fellow who will be d.
voted to my interests-lite yourself
for instance. That wouldn't be a ba
opening, Ell? Well, WE'LL" as Nj
Cracken hppau tO stammer his thank