The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-05-24
CHAPTER v.
A Good Man and His Woes

we went fishlng with RCebuck In tho
northern Wisconsin woods. had
two weeks. two uninterrupted weeks,
IN which TO impress myself upon him;
besides. there was Ed, who related In
tedious but effective detail. on the
slightest provocation. the achieve
ments that had made him my devoted
admirer. SO when. ! went to visit
Roebuck in June. at his house near
Chicago. he was ready TO listen to
me In proper spirit
soon drew him on 10 tell OF his,
troubles with Dunkirk-how the sena-
tor was gouging him and every big
corporation doing business In the
state I've been loyal 20 the party
for 40 years" said he bitterly. yet. ~
had been on the other side II
couldn't cost me more 10 do business.
have 20 pay enough here. heaven,
knows. But II costs mo moro In your
staio-with your man Dunkirk.- his
white face grew pink with anger.
ITS monstrous! Yet you should
have heard him address my Sunday
school scholars at the last annual out
Ing gave them. What an evidence OF
the power OF religion II is that such
wretches az he pays the tribute OF
hypocrisy TO 81"
His business and his religion were
Roebuck's two absorbing passions
religion rapidly predomlnating az he
drew farther away from 90.
Why do you endure his blackmail-
ing. Mr.. RoebuckG" asked. He 10
growing steadily worse"
Hes certainly more rapacious
than ten years ago" Roebuck admit.
ted "our virtues or our vices. which
ever we give the stronger hold on Us.
become more marked as we approach
judgment When we finally 20. We
are prepared for the place that has
been prepared for u.s."
But why do you put up with his
impudenoef'
What can we doi He has political
power and In our only protection
against the people. They have been
infamcd with absurd notions about
their rights. They are filled with
envy and suspicion OF the rich. They
have passed laws 70 hamper Us In de-
veioplng the eountry and want TO pass
more and worse laws. So we must
either 20 out OF business and let the
talents God has given us lie idle In
a napkin. or pay the Dunkirks 10 pre-
vent the people from having their is-
norant wicked way. and destroying
us and themselves. For how would
they get work n we didn't provide
II for themY'
"A miserable maksshift system"
said I. hardening back 70 Dunkirk and
his blaekmsiiing. for I was not Just
then Ia the mood 10 amuse myself
with the contortions q Rocbucks Ger.
ibls and fantastic moral sense"
I've been troubled In conscience a
great deal. Harvey. about the moral.
ity OF what We business men are
forced 20 DO. I hope-indeed feel--
that 80 are Justified In protecting our
property IN the only way open TO m.
Tho devil must be fought with Gre.
you know"
sHow much ara Dunkirk rob you Of
last Year, I asked.
Nearly ssoo.ooo. he said. and his
expression suggested that each dol
lar had been separated from him
With AZ great agony ~ n u had been
% much nssh pinehed from his body.
There yes poniniok, besides. and .
lot OF infamous striksbilis 20 b
auietsdL n cost Sses.oee 20 ait-in
yosr stats alone And We didn't ask
singis bit Of sev legislation. All
the noosy vas paid lust 20 escape
persecution under those alleged iawsi
Yet thsy can this . FREQ country
When I think of the martyrdom-ycs.
the msatal and moral martyrdom. Of
the men Who have made this coun.
try what are the fev millions man
may AnAss In compensation for what
he has 20 sadursf Why. ssyier. I've
not the slightest doubt you could nnd
veii-msaning. yes. really honest. Cod.
fsariAS people. Who would tell you I
An q sooundrell have read sermons.
delivered from pulpiu against mel
Sermons from paipitsi"
Il have thought out q plan" said I.
after q momeats silence and SHOCKED
contemplation u this deplorable state
Of Affairs. - plAa 10 end Dunkirk ant
cheaper the cost OF practical busi-
mesa"
Al cheaper the cost bis big ears
tvitchcd an n they had been uckied.
you can't expect 20 get what you
need for nothing" continued. "on
the present state OF public opinion.
But I'm sure could reduce expenses
BY hAif-at least half"
had his undivided attention.
1T Ia patiently absurd" went on.
that you who finance politics and
keep IN funds these fellows OF both
machines should let them treat you
A. N you were their servants. Why
don't you put them IN their place.
servants at servants wagesl"
But Two no time 20 30 into politics
anal don't know ANYTHING about II
Continued on Sixth Page.