The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-06-01

SIX OF that bill and give me your candid
opinion about it?"
The mayor glanced down the page,
his face showing faint trace of per-
pleXlty, 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
McCracllen interrupted. 'Mr. Gro
yer, 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
portation and prevent it's 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 over there wake up to the fact
that this franchise has sold them into
bondage to the South Side railroad, j
wouldn't give much for the political flu
ture OF the men responsible"
McCracken paused, his swift speech
halted by the look of astounded COM
prehensicn dawning on the mayors
face. Good Lord" Grover exclaimed,
running one 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 l have sense enough to see
through the trick myself? The South
Side railroad worked mighty shrewd
scheme in that clause, but I'll block
their game if it costs me second term
as mayor. You're right enough about
the future, but the South Claytonites
won't thank me for preventing their
getting street railway service, l car
tell you-just now, anyway You've
done Clayton 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" said
McCracken, warmly. "Suppose YOU
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 and
has got sense enough to look ahead
few years, will see that you have done
wise thing and safeguarded munici-
pal interests. OF course, you'll have
the railroad and its influence to fight.
but that isn't strong enough to defeat
YOU"
The mayor dashed the newspaper to
the floor. you've hit it!'' he cried,
Selling the reporters hand, and shak-
ing it like pump-handle 81 believe
I'm losing my own wits. The bills
downright steal, of course, on the face
OF it. If show it up in the papers to,
morrow morning l believe on my soul
I'd be sure of a second term even on
an independent ticket" Growers eyes
suddenly narrowed at the corners.
Look here, McCracken," he said.
bluntly, Il wish you'd tell me how you
happened to come to me with this
business instead of rushing it into
your paper? A sensation of this sort
would be a cinch for the Telegram
and would have meant something to
you personally. eh? Besides, I've never
regarded Mr.. Nichols as very friendly
to me politically. There's always 4
reason at the bottom of everything.
What's yours?"
Mr.. McCracken looked the mayor
squarely in the eyes. 1--WE got two
reasons, Mr. Grover" he said, slowly.
Firstly, l have always believed you
w nc llldl UNCOMMON person, a clean
politician, and hated to see your flu
tnre chances ruined by something that
wasn't your fault; secondly--well, l
don't always intend to be newspaper
man, | hope to get into politics my,
self some time, and if you go higher as
| am sure a man as you will, I'd like
to have your friendship-and help"
Grover silently regarded for a full
minute the alert, frank young face
looking into his own, then all at once
he laid his hand Familiarity on Nc
Cracllen's shoulder. 81 thank you, Mr..
McCracken, for your good opinion he
said, feelingly. 'and l can truly say
that have tried to be what you claim
| am. AS for the other part of it,"
with quick smile. you can rely on
me now or in the future for any as
sistance in my power that will further
your ambition. BY the way" as Nc
Cracker reached for his hat, Il don't
mind saying, between ourselves, that
il get second term here in Clayton,