Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-04
CHAPTER xxx.
THE WINNING LOSER.

THE WINNING LOSER.
 Editor Hildreth's prophecy concern ing the probable attitude of the ad-
 ministration newspapers in the discus sion of the oil field affair waited but
 day for its fulfllment. On the Fri day morning there appeared in the Capital Tribune, the Midland City Chronicle, the Range County Mayer ick 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 a com- mon model-a coincidence which was not allowed to pass unremarked by Hildreth and other holders 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 Init 1t up' boldly toward the capitol, and two things came of it. 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 a pri- vate interview.
 T am very much occupied just now, MT. Meigs," he demurred; "but if it is s matter of importance"
 .It is; matter of the greatest inn portance," was the smooth toned re- ply. T am sure you will not regret it if you will give me a few moments, MT. Kent.'
 Kent decided quickly. Being fore warned, there was nothing to fear.
 We will go 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, MT. Kent" Meigs began, when Kent had passed his cigar-case and the attorney general had apolo- gized for weak digestive tract "On wholly divergent lines and from wholly different motives we are both working toward the same end, be- lieve. and it has occurred to me that we might be of some assistance to each other"
 Rents 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 I did not find It possible at that time to meet your wishes in the matter of a quo war ranto information questioning Judge MacFarlane's action and status. You will admit, I presume, that your de- mand was a little peremptory?"
 T admit nothing" said Kent. curt Y. 'But for the sake of expediting present matters"
 Precisely" was the smiling rejoin- Ter. You will note that I 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 te a party standard-of-"
 Kent took his turn at interrupt1k
 "Mr. Meigs. there is nothing to q gained by indirection. May ask yot to come to the point?"
 Briefly, then: the course pursued | by Senator Duvall in the Belmount af. | fair leaves an improved chargn against | others; a charge which aY deter mined to sift to the bottom-you see, I am speaking quite frankly. That charge involves the reputation of men high in authority; but I shall be strong to do my sworn duty. Mir. | Kent; I ask you to believe that"
 Kent nodded and waved him on.
 You will readily understand the ielicacy of the task, and how. in the nature of things. am handicapped and hedged up on every side. Evi- dence-of a kind to enable me to as- sail popular idol-is exceedingly dif- fcult to procure"
 It is," said Kent. grimly.
 Exactly. But in revolving the mat ter in my own mind. thought of you. You are known at the capitol. Mir. Kent. and I may say throughout the state. as the uncompromising antagon- Ist of the state administration have asked myself this: Is it poSsi. ble that a oool-headed. resolute attor- hey like Mir. David Kent would move 70 far and SO determinedly in this natter of antagonism without substan- iaily paving the ground under his ieet with evidence as he went aiOng?"
 Kent admitted that 1t was possible. put highly improbable.
 So I decided was the smiie-tem- ,ered rejoinder Tn that case 1t only emains for me to remind you of your iublie duty. Mir. Kent: to ask you in he name of justice and of the people f the state. to place your information . the hands Of the p1blic prozecstor-