The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-23

reer OF every autocrat when
his power wanes and his su-
premacy crumbles in defeat.
The career of Dan Crimmts.
Boss, was no exception.
The politicians said that Dan car
rled the Fifth Ward in his vest pocket.
The politicians said that Dan asked
an exorbitant price for the Fifth
Ward, but they were always on the
anxious seat until Arrangements wcre
completed" for Dams influence. Many
time the knowing ones had tried to
win In the Fifth without the Boss.
Their measures proved to engender a
strange and fatal unpopularity among
the people, o
The politicians were sure to carry
the city If Dan was with them, be-
cause he swung the Fifth Ward. and
the Fifth Ward decided the result.
They were equally sure to lose II Dan
was against them.
The politicians said Dan was dis
honest "Im straight as string"
answered the Boss. when I'm bought.
1 stay bought. Honesty is the best
policy-sometimes. It's more satisfac-
/ tory to beat a man at his own game,
end in politics that don't mean hon
esty. never dickered with the tally
sheets yet. and never intend to-not
while l live to look my son In the
face"
Dan met his Waterloo in the Clay
| Sullivan mayoralty contest. Sullivan
1 was notoriously crooked. Clay was as
VIGOROUSLY straight. Sullivan had
served one term as mayor, and had
narrowly escaped Indictment by the
j grand Jury on charges OF bribery and
conspiracy growing out OF watci
scandal. Now he was out for another
term, "for vindication,' as he called
it. Clay was a fusion candidate, and
carried several wards solidly at his
back.
|. Dan. acted with unusual care in talk
ing sides in the contest. because his
!, son had returned and was associated
with him. The politicians namesake
J was his only son, and the boy was the
pride of his fathers heart. Dan woult
have bartered every cent OF his some
what shady gains before he would
have allowed the boy to fathom tbs
inside story OF his political career
Inscrutable destiny made him give Ill
his supremacy in the Fifth Ward t,
lllS respect OIL Ills IldlIlest N z
Il Some one asked him whether tll'
boy inherited his fathers politlca
genius.
Dams never going to put his hnge
( In TIL game. gentlemen" replied til,
Boss. earnestly. He's too honest.
. can't even control his vote myseli
$ No. stree, the boys going to grow u,
. in another ward besides the Fifth"
Sullivan called on CrImmins the da
. after he landed the nomination. III
came on business. and little time wa
wasted over preliminaries. Dan kne,
, Sullivan would be sorely presse
! without the Fifth, SO the price was ur
; my dear alderman" snid the nomi
, nee. with great affectation of dig
!, nifty, now doubtless you know that
have been renomlnated for mayor o
! the strength OF my recent very abb
: administration. and that am goin
before the people to ask for anothe
O term I-ah!-shall-ah! -ahem. war
Q my good Fifth Ward friends to be wit
Y me again. Mr.. Crimmins. and as-ah!-
Q n token of my-ah!-este em-yes, le
: us call 1t esteem-1 am. OF cours
: ready and anxious to do anything tn 6
Q Is right" He took long black VALE
9 fr-ssn his pocket and gently tapped tn
I? palm Of his hand.
$ "Well?" returned Dan, gazing at tn
:. patterns in the wall paper with
!! bored and uninterested expression.
= "No-ah!-what should you say
. ah!-well-ah!--I want yo
y to distinctly understand. Mr.. Grin
|, minis. that do not countenance vote
= buying"