Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-12
CHAPTER Xxx.
THE WINNING LOSER.

ing the probable attitude OF the ad-
ministration newspapers in the discus
sion of the oil field affair waited but
a day for Its fulfillment. On the Fri
day morning there appeared in the
Capital Tribune, the Midland City
Chronicle, the Range County Maver-
lex and the Agriculta Ruralist able
editorials generating the Bucks
party, its policy and the executive.
and heaping mountains Of obloQuy on
the name of Duvall. These editorials
were so similar In tone, tenor and tex
ture, as pointedly to suggest COM
mon model-a coincidence which was
not allowed to pass unremarked by
Hildreth and other molders Of public
opinion on the opposite side Of the
political fence. But Hildreth did not
pause at generalities. Two days after
the Universars triumph in the Bel
mount field. the Argus began to hit
1t up" boldly toward the capitol, and
two things came of 1t. The first was
an attempt by some party or parties
unknown to buy up controlling in
terest In the Argus. The second was
the waylaying Of David Kent In the
lobby OF the Clarendon hotel by no
less a parsonage than the Hon. Mel
ton Meigs, attorney general OF the
state.
Kent had seen little Of Meigs since
the latter had turned him down IN
the quo warranto matter; and his
guard went up quickly when the at
torney general accosted him In the
lobby of the hotel and asked for pri-
vate interview.
Il am very much occupied just now,
Mr.. Meigs," he demurred; "but II 1t Is
q matter of importance"
1T Is; a matter Of the greatest i'm
portance," was the smooth toned re-
ply. II am sure you will not regret 1t
If you will give me few moments,
Mr.. Kent"
Kent decided quickly. Being fore
warned, there was nothing to fear.
I'VE will 60 up to my rooms, If you
please" he said, leading the way to
the elevator; and no other word was
spoken until they were behind closed
doors on the fourth floor.
"a predatory remark may make my
business with you seem a little less
singular, Mr.. Kent" Meigs began,
when Kent had passed his cigar-case
and the attorney general had apollo
gized for a weak digestive tract. "On
wholly divergent lines and from
wholly different motives we are both
working toward the same end, l be-
lieve. and it has occurred to me that
we might be of some assistance to
each other"
Kent's rejoinder was a mute signal
10 the effect that he was attending.
Some little time ago you came to
me as the legal representative Of the
stockholders Of the Trans-Western
Railway company, and l did not find
It possible at that time to meet your
wishes In the matter of quo war
ranto information questioning Judge
MacFarlane's action and status. You
will admit, presume, that your de-
mand was a little peremptory?"
81 admit nothing" said Kent, curt
ly. But for the sake of expediting
present matters"
Precisely" was the smiling rejoin-
der. "You will note that said at
that time Later developments
more especially this charge made open
ly by the public press Of juggling with
foreign corporations-have led me to
believe that as the public prosecutor
/ may have duties which transcend all
other considerations-of loyalty to a
party standard-of-"
Kent took his turn at interrupting.
"Mr. Meigs. there Is nothing to be
gained by indirection. May | ask you
to come to the point?"
Briefly, then: the course pursued
by Senator Duvall in the Belmount af-
fair leaves an improved charge against
others: a charge which l am deter
mined to sift to the bottom-you see,
am speaking quite frankly. That
charge involves the reputation OF
men high in authority; hut l shall be
sIrong to do my sworn duty, Mr..
Kent; I ask you to believe that
Kent nodded and waved him on.
"You will readily understand the
delicacy Of the task, and how, III the
nature Of things, am handicapped
and hedged up on every side. Evi-
dence-of kind to enable me TO as
sail a popular Idols exceedingly dill
ficult to procure"
1T is." said Kent, grimly.
Exactly. But in revolving the mat
ter in my own mind, thought OF you.
You are known at the capitol MT
Kent, and / may say throughout the
state, as the uncompromising antagon-
list of the state administration. |
have asked myself this: Is 1t possi'
BILE that a cool-headed, resolute attor-
ney like Mr.. David Kent would move
so far and so determinedly in this
matter of antagonism without substan-
TALLY paving the ground under his
feet with evidence as he went along?'
Kent admitted that it was possible.
but highly improbable.
so decided" was the smile-tem-
pered rejoinder. "In that case II only
remains for me to remind you OF your
public duty, Mr.. Kent; to ask you In
the name Of justice and Of the people
Of the state. to place your information
in the hands of the public prosecutor. ="
Kent's face betrayed nothing more
than his appreciation OF the confidence
reposedi in him by the man whose high
sense of official honor was making him
turn traitor to the party leader who
had dragged him through successful
election.
81 have what evidence l need, Mr.
Meigs," he declared. But If | make
no secret of this, neither do | conceal
the fact that the motive pro bono pub
lico has had little to do with its ac-
cumulating. l want justice first for
what might be called purely private
end, and l mean to have It,"
Precisely" smiled the attorney
general. And now we are beginning
to see our way little clearer. 1t is
not too late for us to move in the quo
yarrsnto nroceedings IL YOU will call