Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-02


was very critical but they had wealth
cred worse storms and he had every
reason to hope they would outiive this
storm 1t was true that public opinion
was greatly incensed against the rail-
roads and, indeed, against all organized
capital, and was seeking to iniure
them through the courts. For time
This agitation would hurt business and
lessen dividends, for it meant not only
smaller annual earnings, but that lot
OF money must be spent in Washing
ton.
The eyes of the listeners, who were
hanging on every word, involuntarily
turned in the direction of Senator Rob
erts, but the latter, at that moment
bus1ly engaged in rummaging among a
lot Of papers, seemed to have missed
this significant allusion to the roads
expenses in the District of Columbia.
Ryder continued:
In his experience such waves of re.
form were periodical and soon wear
themselves out, when things go on Just
as they did before Much of the agi-
tation doubtless was strike for graft.
Ihey would have to go down in their
pockets, he supposed, and then these
yellow newspapers and these yellow
magazines that were barking at their
heels would let them go. But in re-
gard to the particular case now at is
sue-this Auburndale decision-there
had been no way of preventing it. In
Huence had been used, but to no eff
feet. The thing to do now was to pre-
vent any such disasters in future by
removing the author Of them.
The directors bent eagerly forward.
had Ryder really goE some plan up
his sleeve after all? The faces around
the cable looked brighter and the d.
rectors cleared their threats and set
tied themselves down in their chairs
as audiences do in the theater when
the drama is reaching its climax.
The board, continued Ryder with lev
calmness, had perhaps heard, and also
seen IN the newspapers, stories regard
ing Judge Rossmore and his alleged
connection with the Great Northwest
ern Company. Perhaps they had not
believed these stories. 1t was only
natural. He had not believed them
himself. But he had taken the trouble
to inquire into the matter very care
fully. and he regretted, to say that the
stories were true. In fact, they were
no longer denied by Judge Rossmore
himself.
The directors looked at each other in
amazement. Clasps of establishment,
increlulity, satisfaction were heard all
over the room. The rumors were true
then? Was it possible? Incredible!
Investigation, Ryder went on. had
shown that Judge Rossmore was not
only interested in the company. in
whose favor, as Judge of the Supreme
Court, he had rendered an important
decision, but what was worse, he had
accepted a valuable gift-that is $780,
900 worth Of stockton which he had
given absolutely nothing in return I'M
less, as some claimed the weight of
his influence on the bench. These facts
were very ugly and SO unanswerable
that Judge Rossmore did not attempt
to answer them, and the important
news which he, the chairman, had to
announce to his fellow-directors that
afternoon, was that Judge Rossmore's
conduct would be made the subject of
an inquiry by Congress.
This was the spark that was needed
to ignite the electrically charged air.
A wild cry of triumph went up from
this band of jackals only too willing to
fatten their bellies at the cost of an
other mans ruin, and one director in
his enthusiasm, rose excitedly from his
chair, and demanded vote of thanks
for John Ryder.
Ryder coldly opposed the motion. No
40 olY ynrn leo ~ y
cat1nsly, nor did he think the occasion
called for congratulations of any kind.
1t was surely sad spectacle to see
this honored judge, this devoted father,
this blame]ess citizen threatened with
ruin and disgrace on account of one
false step. Let them rather sympathize
with him and his family in their mis-
fortune. He had little more to tell.
The Congressional inquiry would take
place Immediately, and in all proba-
bility demand would be made upon
the Senate for Judge Rossmore's i'm
parchment. 1t was he added, almost
unnecessary for him to remind the
Board that, in the event Of impeach-
ment, the adverse decision in the Au.
burndale case would be annulled and
the road would be entitled to new
trial.
Ryder sat down, and pandemonium
broke loose, the delighted directors
tumbling over each other in their
eagernass to shake hands with the
man who had saved them. Ryder had
given no hint that he had been fac.
tor in the working UP of this case
against their common enemy, ill fact
he had appeared to sympathize with
him, but the directors knew well that
he and he alone had been the master
mind which had brought about the
happy result.
On motion to adjourn, the meeting
broke up, and everyone began to troop
towards the elevators. Outside the
rain was now coming down in torrents
and the lights that everywhere dotted
the great city only paled when every
few moments a vivid flash of lightning
rent the enveloping gloom.
Ryder and Senator Roberts went
down IN the elevator together. When
they reached the street the senator in
quired in low tone:
do you think they really believed
Poccnora was Influenced in his daoi