Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-06-28
CHAPTER II.

A4lclL IlduE DELWteu ourselves ana E0e
government, by the terms of which we
were TO have the government business,
and to occupy, in fact, much that quasi
official position enjoyed by the Bank of
England at home. AS a guild pro quo, the
bank was to lend to the republic the sum
OF 100000 at 6 per cent. The President
was at the time floating loan of one
million dollars for the purpose OF works
at the harbor OF Nottingham. This as
tute ruler had, it seemed, hit on the plan
OF instituting public works on a large
scale as a corrective to popular discon-
tent, hoping thereby not only to develop
trade, but also to give employment TO
many persons who, if unoccupied, became
centers of agitation. Such at least was
the official account of his policy; whether
it was the true one saw reason to
doubt later on. AS regards this loan, my
office was purely ministerial The ar
rangements were duly made, the proper
guarantees given, and the June after my
arrival l had the pleasure of handing over
to the President the 100000. I learned
from him on that occasion, that to his
great qualification, the balance of the loan
had been taken up.
I'VE shall make a start at once, sir"
said the President, in his usual confident
but quiet way. in two years Whiting
ham harbor will walk over the world
Don't be afraid about your interest. Your
directors never made a better invest
ment."
l thanked his excellency and withdrew
with a peaceful mind. | had no respon-
Gihiiitu in +hn rad
whether the directors got their interest or
not. l was, however, somewhat curious
to know who had taken up the rest of the
loan, curiosity which was not destined
to be satisfied for some time.
The works were begun and the inter
est was paid, but l cannot say that the
harbor progressed rapidly; in fact, doubt
if more than 100000 ever found their
way into the pockets of contractors or
workmen over the job. The President had
some holes dug ard some walls built !;
having reached that point, about two
years after the interview above recorded,
he suddenly drew off the few laborers still
employed and matters came to a dead
stop.
1t was shortly after this occurrence
that was honored with an invitation to
dine at the Golden House. 1t was in
the month of July. Needless to say, l
accepted the invitation, not only because
it was in the nature of a command, but
also because the President gave uncom-
monty good dinners, and, although bach
elor had as we'll ordered household as
| have ever known. Ny qualification was
greatly increased when, on my arrival.
found myself the only guest, and realized
that the President considered my society
in itself enough for an evenings enter
tainment. 1t did cross my mind that this
might mean business, and | thought it
none the worse for that.
We dined in the famous veranda, the
scene of so many Nottingham functions.
The dinner was beyond reproach The
President was a charming companion.
Though not, as have limited, man of
much education, he had had a wide ex-
perience of life, and had picked up a man
ner at once quiet and cordial, which set
me completely at my ease. Moreover he
paid me the compliment, always so sweet
to youth, of treating me as a man of the
world With condescending confidence he
told me many tales of his earlier DAYS !;
and as he had been everywhere, his con-
versation was naturally most interesting
Dinner was over mad the table cleared
before the President seemed inclined for
serious conversation. Then he said sud
denly:
Mr. Martin, this country is in a peril
Gus condition"
Your excellency," said I, do you refer
to the earthquakeW (There had been a
slight shock a few days before)
mo, SIR he replied, "to the finances
The harbor works have proved far more
expensive than l anticipated. l hold in
my hand the engineers certificate that
100000 has been actually expended on
them, and they are not finished-not by
any means finished"
They certainly were not; they were
hardly begun.
Dear me- ventured to say, that
seems a good deal of money, considering
what there is to show for it,
You cannot doubt the certificate, Mr.
Martin" said the President.
| did doubt the certificate, and should
have liked TO ask what fee the engineer
had received. But l hastily said it was
of course, beyond suspicion.
YES" said he steadily, quite beyond
suspicion. You see. Mr.. Martin, in my
position | am compelled to be liberal
The government cannot set other employ
ers the example of grinding men down by
low wages. However, reasons apart, there
is the fact. We cannot go on without
more money; and l may tell you, in con-
tidence, that the political situation makes
it imperative we should go on. Not only
my personal honor pledged but the oppo-
sition, Mr.. Martin, led by the Colonel, is
making itself obnoxious-yes, l may say
very obnoxious"
1.-THE Colonel sir" said I, with free
dom engendered of dining. lis a beast"
We'll" said the President. with toll
Grant smile, the Colonel, unhappily for
the country, is no true patriot. But he
is powerful; he is rich he is, under my
self alone, in command of the army. And
moreover, l believe he stands well with
the Signorina. The situation, in fact,
is desperate. l must have money, Mr..
Martin. Will your directors make me
new loan|'
l knew very well the fate that would
attend any such application. The direc-
tors were already decidedly uneasy about
their first loan; shareholders had asked
awkward questions, and the chairman had
found no small difficulty in showing that
the investment was likely to prove either
safe or remunerative. Again, only fort
night before. the government had made
formal application TO me on the same sub
ject. l cabled the directors, and receiv-
ed prompt reply in the single word,
"Tootsums,' which in our code meant,
Must absolutely and finally decline to
entertain any applications l communi-
Gated the contents of the cable TO Senior
Don Antonio de Ia Casabianca, the min
lister of finance, who rad, of course. com
municated them in turn to the President.
| ventured to remind his excellency of
these facts. He had heard me with silent
attention.
Il fear" I concluded, therefore, that
it is impossible for me to be of any assist
ance to your excellency."
He nodded, and gave slight sigh.
Then. with an air of closing the subject,
he said
81 S1lDDose the directors are mast rea-