Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1904-10-20
alderman saboski?"

Alderman Saboski?"
Aye" sounded clear terror.
The gallery was again liberal in Its
appreciation.
Alderman Rounds?" 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 package, and in the other
some loose papers. He raised his
eyes to the gallery and they twinkled
as they rested for moment on John
Burt.
"Mr. President, l 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
FOR his change of heart.
"Mr. 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 l made a careful study Of
them. At first | was not in favor of
them, but certain gentlemen present
ed the subject to me in new light,
an l 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.
"Mr. Chairman" continued Sam
Rounds, assuming an easy attitude in
the aisle, II 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 red-hot stove. The
more | got the more | wanted, an as
some of you know I've done pretty
rairly middlin' WELL"
Sam Rounds reached out and picked
a small package from the table and
looked at it longingly. Alderman Hen
bricks turned in his chair and gazed
uneasily at the speaker. There was
something in his manner which caused
a hush to fall on the assembly.
"Mr. Chairman" said Alderman
Rounds, slowly unwrapping the pack
age as he continued, money Is the
greatest argument in the world. Logic
is fine thing, but money beats logic.
| admire the man who has the gift of
eloquence, like my honorable col
league from my ward, but money can
give eloQuence handicap an beat 1t
every time. Money"
Mr. 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
proposition. The question before the
board is the disposition of these ordi-
nances. l 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
came to my place Of business an
said he would pay me ten thousand
dollars for my vote in favor of these
ordinances, l just went plumb off my
center, an told him l would consider
It. | couldn't see anything else in the
world but that figure one with four
ciphers after 1t, an dollar mark in
front of it. Mr.. Chairman, you never
had to work hard or trade for Twin,
an you can't realize how | felt when
he placed this here package in my
hand"
Sam tore away the wrapping and
disclosed a layer of crisp banknotes.
Every eye in the room was fixed ON
the speaker as he stepped forward
and laid them on the chairmans table.
Dazed and demoralized, no member of
the opposition dared interrupt.
(To be continued)