Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-09

ment doubt Its presence. So ever-preSent
was 1t that it had long since choked down
all opposition from within his own ranks
Once, years before-as the story is still
related-when he had first claimed, fought
for and won his party pre-eminence. GER
tain district leaders, eight in all. had plot
ted his downfall, and had privately selected
one of their number to fill his shoes. News
of the closed-door meeting which was to
ratify this deposition was brought to Caleb
by faithful Shevlin. The Railroader, with
out a word; had started for the back room
Of the saloon where the conference was in
progress. Stalking in on the conspirators
he had gained the center of their circle be-
fore they were well aware of his presence
Hat on head, cigar In mouth, he had swept
the ring of faces with his light, steely
eyes, noting each man there in one Instant
brief glance as he did so. Then, twisting
the cigar into one corner of his mouth, he
had brought down his fist on the table
and demanded
Like "a pack Of eager school boys the en-
tire eight were upon their feet, clamoring
their fealty. Then. without another word
or look, the master had stamped out of
the room; leaving the erStwhile malcon-
tents, as one Of them afterward express
ed it:
''Standin' there like a bunch of boiled
sheepsheads without thought but to shake
grand bcss Caleb Conover."
At the boss right in today's conclave sat
Billy Shevlin, most trusted and adorng Of
all his followers. At his left was Guy
Next to Billy was Bonham. mayor of Gran
lite, and next Giacomo Baltazzi, who held
the whole Italian section force of the c..
G. & x. and the Scilian quarter of Granite
In the hollow of his unwashed hand. Be
yond was Nicholas Caine proprietor of the
Star, and to his right Beiser, the democratic
state chairman. Between a second news
paper editor and the president of the board
of aldermen lounged Kerrigan, the Ghetto
saloOnkeeper. sprinkling of railroad men,
heelers and district leaders made up the
remainder. Conover was speaking:
And that's the layout" said he "And
that's why I'm not content for this to be
just plain win Two years ago
thought Shearn would be our best man for
governor. So l gave the word, and Shearn
got in with a decent majority But it's got
to be landslide this time, and not a trick
to be overlooked in the whole hand. Nick,
you know the line of editorial policy to
start in tomorrows Star. And be on the
lookout for the first break in any of the
leagues speeches. It's easier to think of a
fool thing than not to say it, and those re-
form jays are always putting their feet in
their mouths when they try to preach poll
tics. And, knowing nothing about the
game, they're sure to talk a heap. They
never seem to realize that the man who
really practices politics hasn't time to
preach it."
Il understand" answered Game. Print,
usual, a spread on the windy, blunder-
ing speeches, and forget to report the
others. Same as when"
Sure. And pass the 'press-gag' sign
upstate. too. Standish is certain to make a
tour. Beiser," turning to the portly state
chairman. Il want the county caucuses two
weeks from Saturday. I've an idea we can
work the same old snap move in more'n
half of them. Pass it on to the county chair
man to treble last years hoaters and to
work the back door the way we did in
Bowden county in 81. They understand their
business pretty well, most of 'en. And I'll
have Shevlin and Bourke jack up those that
don't, and learn 'em their little lines. Two
weeks from Saturday, then. That's under
stood? It'll give US all the time we need,
or city candidates or congressman. Those
jobs'll take care of themselves. If the
wrong men get into the assembly or Con-
gress, they'll get licked into shape quick
enough. We're all right there. l want the
whole shove to be made on the governor
ship this year. Pass it on Baltazzi, l
hear those dagoes of yours are grouching
They say they don't get nothin'. They
say all the good Jobs goes to the Irish or
Dutch or even Americans, and"
Promise 'em something, then"
II have. But"
Then promise 'em something more Don't
be stingy. If that don't satisfy 'em, give me
the tip, and I'll have 10 per cent drop or
OereQ Oh the IOTclSH StCtiOH gangs pay, ana
make Chief Geoghegan pass the word to his
cops to make things bad for the pushcart
men and organ grinders. and close up the
dago saloons an hour early. Thatll bring
'em in a-running. How bout litterchoor,
Abbott?"
I'll start the stan to work on songs to-
night" said a long-haired little man, land
get out a bunch of Friend of the Plain
People tracts and
won't do! Observation-Disclosures Ben
Observation-Disclosures or Ignorant Meddling
oy-Reformer. Will-You-Vote-For?
That's the racket this time. Guy the whole
League crowd. Silk Stockings VS.. Laboring
Man. That's the idea. Get the cartoon
lists at work on pictures like Standsh max
ing the police sprinkle the streets with
Florida water while thugs break into
houses, and that sort of thing. 'what-We-
May-Expect-fronl-C ivic-League-R Rule Un-
derstand? Say. Game, detail one or two of
your men. of course. to look up standish's
past performances In private life, too. Any
thing about booze or the cards or any sort
of scrape will work up fine just now The
gags old, but about reforIner It always
makes a hit. Even bit OF a stretch goes.
I'll stand libel suit or two II 1t comes
to q showdown" - ~ -
"How about the out-of-town papers?,
queried Caine. Our regular chain are all
right But the rest"
1.-THE c. G. X owns the Mountain
State, don't it? And 1t controls 90 per cent
of the mileage OF the other roads that run
through the state And wherever there's
towns big enough for paper there's a
railroad somewhere near. And wherever
there's an editor he wants his passes. don't
he? And . rebate on his freight? Well