The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-10

Or "
"Naturc' laughed Ansel. They walk al
house. smash the machine and then &,
Conovers dominance, none could for
moment doubt his presence. So ever
present was II that 1t had long since
choked down all opposition from with
in HIS own ranks. Once, years before
as the story Is still related-when he
his party pre- eminence, csrtin district
leaders, eight in ALL had plotted his
downfall and had privately selected
one OF their number 10 fill his shoes.
News OF the closed-door meeting which
was to ratify this deposition was
brought to Caleb by faithful oreviin.
The Railroader, without word. had
started for the back room Of the
saloon where the conference was in
progrcss Stalking in on the conspira-
tors, he had gained the centre OF their
circle before they were we'll 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-brlef
glance as he did 80. Then, twisting
the cigar into one corner Of his mouth,
eesS -
table. and demanded:
How many Of you people are with
ME?"
Like a pack OF eager schoolboys the
entire 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 malcontents, as one of them
afterward expressed 1t:
"Standin' there like bunch OF boiled
sheepsheads without a thought but to
shake hands with ourselves for havln'
such grand Boss as Caleb Conover"
At the Boss's right in to-days con-
clave sat Billy shevlin, most trusted
and adoring of ell his followers At
his left was Guy Bourke, Alderman
and the Boss's jackal. Next to Billy
was Bonham, Mayor OF Granite, and
next Gacomo Baltazzi, who held the
whole Italian section force Of the G.
G. g. x. and the Sicilian quarter of
Granite in the hollow of his unwashed
hand. Beyond was Nicholas Game,
proprietor of the Star, and to his right
Beiser. the Democratic State Chairman.
Between second newspaper editor
and the President Of the Board of
Aldermen lounged Kerrigan. the
Ghetto saloon-keeper. A sprlnkling
OF railroad men. heelers and district
leaders made up the remainder. Con-
over was speaking:'
And that's the layout" said he
"And that's why I'm not content for
this to be lust plain win Two
years ago / thought shearn would
be our best man for Governor, So I
gave the word, and Shearn got In
with decent majority. But it's got
to be landslide this time, and not
a tricks got to be overlooked in the
who'e hand. Nick, you know tho line
of editorial policy to start in to-mor-
rows Star. And be on the lookout
Leagee's speeches. It's easier to think
of fool thing than not to say 1t,
and those Reform jays are always put
ting their feet in their mouths when
they try to preach politics. And
knowing nothing about the game
they're sure to talk heap, They
never seem to realize that the man
who really practices politics hasn't
time to preach It,"
II understand" answered Caine
''Print, as usual, q Spread on the win
dy, laundering speeches, and forget te
report the others. Same as when
"sure. And pass the press-gag
sign upstate. too Standish Is GER
tain to make tour. Beiser," turning
to the portly s tie Chairman. II wan
the county caucuses two weeks from
Saturday. I've an idea we can worl
the same old snap move in more'r
half of them, Pass 1t on to the count!
chairman to treble last years float
ers, and to work the back door tn
way we did In Bowden county in 81
They understand their business prett!
we'll, most of 'em And I'll have Shev
lin and Bourke Jack up those tina
don't, and learn EN- their little lines
Two weeks from Saturday then
That's understood? 1t'll give US o
the time we need, II we hustle. Neve
mind the other State or city candidate
for Congressmen, Those jobs'n tai
care Of themselves. II the wrong me
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