Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-10-06
Alderman saboskiYs


Alderman saboskif"
aye" sounded clear tenor.
The gallery was again liberal in las
appreciation.
Alderman Rounds7" called the
clerk.
A tall, awkward man rose and faced
the chairman. His red hair was plas-
tered over his forehead, and his hands
seemed in the way. In one Of them
he held a package, and In the other
some loose papers. He raised his
eyes to the gallery and they twinkled
as they rested for a moment on John
Burt.
"Mr President, desire to explain
my vote on these ordinances"
There was no objection. The Cos
mopolitan partisans believed that AL.
derman Rounds had been won over
to their side. and were willing he
should attempt to explain the reasons
Tor his change Of heart
MIR. Chairman" began Alderman
Rounds placing his papers on the
desk, and with his hands plunged in
his pockets, two years ago, when
the original Cosmopolitan ordinances
came up for passage, | voted an spoke
against them. was opposed to them
an said so. When these bills were
proposed | made a careful study of
them. At first | was not in favor of
them, but certain gentlemen present
ed the subject TO me in a new light
an agreed to vote for the passage of
the ordinances now under considera-
ton"
The Cosmopolitan aldermen Joined
the claque in the applause which fol-
lowed this declaration.
MIR. Chairman" continued Sam
Rounds. assuming an easy attitude in
the aisle, Il don't suppose there's any
one In this honorable body likes
money better'n | do. When | began
to make money tradin' in bosses back
in Massachusetts it was like pourin'
kerosene oil on a red-hot stove. The
more l got the more wanted, an as
some Of you know I've done pretty
Iairly middlin' we'll"
a small package from the table and
looked at it longingly. Alderman Hen
bricks turned in his chair and gazed
at the speaker. There was |
in his manner which caused |
a hush to fall on the assembly.
MIR. Chairman" said Alderman |
Rounds, slowly unwrapping the pack |
age as he continued. money is the
greatest argument in the world. Logic |
IS a fine thing, but money beats logic |
admire the man who has the gift OF
like my honorable col. |
league from my ward, but money can
give eloquence a handicap an beat Il
every time. Money"
MI Chairman" interrupted Alder
man Hendricks. I'VE desire to proceed
with this vote-much as we are
charmed by my colleagues trite re,
Elections about money as an abstract
The question before the
board is the disposition Of these ordi,
nances. | demand that the alderman
record his vote"
Alderman Rounds has the floor"
decided the chairman,
Thank you. I'll not take up much
Of your time" said Sam Rounds. AS
was sayin', I'm uncommonly fond of !
money, an when the president of the
Cosmopolitan Improvement company |
anne to my place of business an
said he would pay me ten thousand |
dollars for my vote in favor of these
ordinances, just went plumb off my
enter, an told him would consider
[. couldn't see anything else in the
world but that figure one with four
ciphers after it, an a dollar mark in
front of it. Mr., Chairman. you never
had to work hard or trade for a Twin,
an you can't realize how felt when
ne placed this here package in my
hand"
Sam tore away the wrapping and
disclosed layer of crisp banknotes.
Every eye in the room was fixed on
he speaker as he stepped forward
and laid them on the chairman's table.
Dazed and demoralized, no member of
he opposition dared interrupt.
(To be continued)