The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-23


and was urging Langston to carry
note to Macy. 1t cant be done"
Langston declared. Il can never get
a messenger to take a note to him
while he is speaking"
But you must" she cried piteously
1T will make him change his vote"
Graham, the victory already assur-
ed, rose in his place. Il have the
privilege of the floor. Miss Coltrop.
May / deliver your note?"
Edith did not like Graham, and for
moment she hesitated.
Il don't like TO trouble you" she
murmured.
mo trouble at ALL" he said, with
hand still outstretched. Il am Gu
rious to see if Miss Coltrop can ad-
vance more potent arguments than
the mastery speech Mr.. Macy is
making
Something in the sneering tones
reused her antagonism. She placed
the little square envelope in his
hands. The truth is mighty and will
prevail'i she quoted to herself. and
watched his gaunt figure make its
way to the exit.
Once on the lower floor Graham
handed the note to a page with the
direction that it be taken at once to
Macy.
To him there was something ex-
quisite in the girls belief that she
| could undo the work of years with
this note possible a promise of her
hand If he turned. He knew Macy's
high spirit too well to believe that
he would permit this to influence him,
and it gave added zest to his moment
of victory to accept the challenge of
this fair-haired girl.
For a moment Macy spoke on, hold
ing the note in his hand. Then. still
standing on his feet, he tore open the
envelope From Mr.. Graham the
boy had said and in his nerv ousness
he had not noticed the superscription
on the envelope.
One quick glance, and he turned
white. For All instant it seemed as
though he would fall. The man at his
right sprang to his feet as though to
support him, but Macy put him off,
An involuntary clenching of the
| hands crumbled the sheet of paper.
| He took a swallow of water from the
glass on his desk and went on.
"All of these advantages will accrue
from the passage of the bill" he de-
clared, but there is another side at
which we must look"
Then in rapid succession he brought
forward argument upon argument
against the bill. There was no lack of
| sincerity now Even the densest
4
his utterance and felt that this time it
was the man and not the party cham
| pion speaking.
The assembly sat stupefied. Here
was the orator of the party attacking
the bill he was supposed to support.
AS Macy proceeded. the uproar be-
came more marked, until the speakers
desk, long since shattered by the
gavel, began to exude splnters
! through the blue baize.
At last, amid a tumult of jeers and
cheers, Macy sat down and Graham's
lieutenant stood up to do what might
be done to save the day.
Personal attack he felt was the
only recourse, and after an opening
speech, I'm which he agreed with the
earlier arguments of the previous
speaker, he questioned the correct
ness of his later remarks, and cum
ningly alluded to the letter which had
caused the sudden reversal.
Graham, to whom he had gone at
the first sign of a break, had told
him that the letter was from Miss
Coltrop. and that he believed that she
had offered to accept Macy IL he
would change his argument. 1t was
at Graham's suggestion that he cum
ningly charged Macy with having
been bribed in open chamber never
believing that the letter could be
SHOWN, anu kIlOWlHB lHdl III any cNtiil
the real reason for the charge would
be more damaging than the charge
of bribery.
mr.. Macy has been one of the
most influential members of the
party" he said in conclusion, "he has
even been suggested for the highest
office in the gift of the State, the
governorship.
II regret that he should have seen
at to reverse his sentiments and
opinions at the eleventh hour, and |
feel sure that on reflection, for which
he has had time, he will rise to re-
tract his opposition to this most inn
portant measure and reinstate himself
I'm the eyes Of the party and the state
at large"
AS the speaker sank into the seat.
noting with satisfaction that the tide
was turning again his way, Macy
sprang up.
Il rise" he Numbered. mot to a re-
traction Of what i have already said.
/ rise to a question of personal privi-
lege. The member from Slocum coun-
ty has charged me with having ac-
cepted bride. This l admit"
1t was several minutes before he
could proceed, and members from all
over the chamber were clamorng for
the floor. but Macy had cleverly made
IL a question of privilege and he re-
tained the floor.
ut is also charged that this bride
was offered me on the floor Of the
House. This / most unqualifedly
deny. The bride offered me was that
very nomination of which the men,
Der from Slocum county has spoken.
The offer of the governorship, and
my belief in the honesty OF the pro-
posers of this company blinded me
for the moment to the true interests
Of the state.
THAT letter to which the member
from Slocum county refers was not
the bribe; on the contrary, 1t was the
contents Of the envelope which most
effectively brought me TO my senses.
This letter, gentlemen he waved the
blue sheet over his head, was the
awakening OF conscience
He passed the paper TO the member
on his right and It rapidly made the
rounds OF the chamber, passing from
hand to hand. 1t was not a note. but
q cartoon cleverly caricaturing Haw-
kins, the heller. in the act OF present.
ing a cup to an absurdly large infant,
eagerly stretching out his hand 70
receive Il, and through the infantile
features shOne the likeness OF Macy.
on the cup. which was labeled "The
Governorship." was the simple and
familiar legend, For a Good Boy"
There was more speechmaking and
a vote. but the bill was killed right
there. as was the Independent party,
and. after his term az Governor, IL Is
probable that Macy will 20 10 the
United States Senate for he has gain