The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-09
lis than yourself? Come, now that is

# ellis than yourself? Come, now, that IS
q fair question:
Man and boy I have lived in that ward
for thirty years" said Dooner. and I
never saw him in my life. i have heard
Of him as a lawyer, but never knew
that he took any interest in anything.
i have seen his name in the papers as
being In Europe with. some big guns,
or In society here. but 1 know no more
abouti,th man than Adam. Why is he
mot here to meet me and answer Il q ues-
& tons also?" 81 n! a s.
This was another poser; for tie fact
was that Mr.. Murchison had entirely
forgotten the situation, and was at the
moment busily engaged alta social func-
ton attended only by persons Of the g
highest social distinction. a we'll -mean-.
ing but misguided member Of the COM
mittee rose at this point and said half
apologeticaly: s,S
...Mr. Chairman, Mr.. Murchison is all
right can vouch for him. u have
played golf with him many n time"
He sat down with a feeling that he had
covered the situat ton. This reused Doom
er's Ire once more, and he burst forth
in a TRADE which closed the sitting. Only
when angry did he drop into the ver-5
nacular. 81 Il X s>5 llts ss
..Gentlemen, youse may think that a
golf playcr&is the kind Of man to make;
laws for the city, but tell you there
isn't a manton this committee who knows
what he Is talking about. ~ live among
h the people who work and sweat and eat
but little, but what they DO eat Is earn
cd honestly. TheySdon't live on the gains
OF their forefathers, nor wear fine clothes
at the theayter. There Isn't q man here
who could run my ward n day without
getting himself into trouble.Fl'm not q
learned man. l don't know furrin Lam
guages, nor do II pretend to be more
honest than am. ltneverEc cheated a man
in my life. l have taken care, of men
and women and children for years who
would be turned away us beggars from
tie doors Of any one of youse at any
time know my people. They suffer,
and i help them. They hunger. and( L
feed them. They get IN jail for drink,
and help them out so they can earn
bread for their little ones. The law
works queer. There are men on this
committee who have committed worse
ward to jail. and yet they set here in
Judgment on one who has never sent
one hungry from his door," 81
He stopped tor a moment, and a hush
fell over the assembly. lie was no ora.
tor, but he felt that lie was making his
last stand, and was h resolved to say
what was within him even II It cost his
now could daunt him.
s"Gentlemcn, didn't come here for an
Endorsement. ! came here TO show that
Martin Dooner Is not afraid to meet any
man don't want this committee to be
for mo. You're not my kind, and you
know no more about what II Is TO take
care Of tho people In my ward than YOU
do about ChoctaW. have led these
people for years. In good times and
bad times i hnvo been their friend. !
have helped widows and children that
hive been driven from institutions con-
Quoted BY members Of this committee
! gave up my own room TO n poor. Sick
. Girl when she was refused at every hos!
ptal in this city. and she had never
never turned a sick or hungry person
from my door in my life. ] never tried
10 be an angel, but ! never asked an
unfortunate person for their certificate
OF marriage or baptism. may not
have seen my duty as some OF youse
would have seen II. ! may have done
things none Of youse would have done. ]
don't come hero AS no saint, but do
say that at, Judgment there will never
be said against Martin Dooncr that lie
was hypocrite. that lie failed to feed
tho hungry or take care OF those In
trouble. lf youse thinks that golf
player Is the kind OF man the people In
my ward wants. YOU can indorse him and
be ,---- 10 yUu; for as sure as there's q
God In Israel III lick the s,utin out
! OF you at the pola!" And grabbing his
| hat he was gone. # ~
\ A month previous Dooner would have
been the last man to take advantage of
4 his former generosity. lie was no al
| TRUST. but he had not been accustomed
to the qnid pro quo policy of penefac-
| ton, Now, With his back ito the wall,
| hn ia ~ t,k ~ r,f