The Tucumcari news. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-05-12

Ian nodded his head, as a broad. |
sarcastic smile played about his large,
good-natured mouth.
"Wcll-ah-would-ah ahem. So
600 secure the ward, Mr.. Crimmins?"
Sullivan nervously opened and shut
the wallet, playing with the visible
ends of the bank notes. Crimmins
slowly blew a great ring OF smoke into
the air.
MY dear Mayor Sullivan he said,
leaning over on his desk and talking
directly into the face OF his aspiring
caller, you cant he elected in this
city without a good. clean majority in
every precinct in the Fifth ward.
Isn't that a fact?" Sullivan nervous
ly beat the fingers of his right hand
against the knuckles OF his left. The
people know you bought the upper
chamber and r%ailroaded through the
water franchise. They know you are,
right now. on the pay rolls Of three
big corporations doing business with
the city. And, furthermore, | know
it. And, better still. you know it.
Now. If I am to swallow all this
I've got to make peace with my con-
science, and 1t can't be done for any
$4,000. I've got too good a conscience.
But business is business. Those four
precincts in the Fifth ward are worth
1880 apiece. and my personal serv-
ices in the present instance inventory
at $500 more. The mayors salary
is worth just $4,000 a year to you,
my dear Mr.. Sullivan. The mayors
job Is worth $4,000 more. thanks to
your very judicious business manage
ment. The price of the Fifth ward is
$4,000, Mr.. Sullivan. It's cheap to you
at double that figure"
Sullivan was about to demur, and
was putting his wallet back in his
pocket.
LAS a matter Of fact" Dan careless.
ly suggested. 81 presume that the
ward is more valuable to Clay than
it is to you, anyway, and I guess"
ooh the price-present, I should
SAYS quite satisfactory Sullivan
fastened to interpose. And as to
terms?"
Cash in advance. tn cost me just
as much If we lose the ward as II we
carry it, because I'll do my best any
way. Cash in advance, my dear Mr..
Sullivan"
The nominee weighed his wallet In
his right hand and went through a
mental calculation. Then he re-
turned the roll Of bills TO his pocket
and. reaching for a pen, drew a check
with a flourish.
Clay, the opposing candidate, was In
the office within q hours. He found
some difficulty in broaching the sub
ject OF his visit. and n~ervous!y pol
ished the nap of his silk hat upon
the sleeve Of his coat as he waited
for Dali to receive him.
He went away somewhat dazed. He
told his incredulous advisers that
Crimmins had been deeply shocked at
the suggestion of money, and that he
thought he might have secured his
support II he had not tackled on the
substantial consideration.
Then began the battle royal. Sulli-
van was completely lost sight OF. The
question really at stake was simply
the problem Of whether Crimmins
owned the Fifth ward. Clay went in
with an open and avowed determine
ton to clean up Dan once and for all
And for the first time in his career
Dan was actually ervous.
For a week before election day the
Fifth ward enjoyed n prolonged
holiday. Everybody celebrated, whlIe
Clay and Crimmins were footing the
bills. Votes were at a premium, and
the voters knew it.
Then came the finish. AS chairman
OF the ward committee. a had
named the election inspectors and
contrary to his usual custom. ne
placed himself at the head OF the list
ITS best to be on the inside M
said. when Sullivan questioned the ad
visibility OF his action. cant tel
how many votes you may need bou'
midnight. when the count is on"
The count promised to be tedious
because the task was a mammoth one