Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-09

"Oh, I'll keep 1t all right. You'll
sign that bill or you'll"--
Mr.. Horrigan," exclaimed Bennett.
controlling his temper with more and
more difficulty, you said something
just now about our coming to n show
down. This is the time for 1t. want
you to remember henceforth that
wear no mans collar--yours or any
one else's-and that you can't deliver
any goods you've bargained for in my
name. If sign that bill It won't be
under your orders, but because l think
II right"
"Oh," laughed Horrigan. who thought
he began to see the drift Of the 9th
er's mind. ~ don't hold out for that. I
don't care why you sign 1t as long as
you do sign It."
what do you think about the bill
yourself" inquired Alwyn. do you
consider 1t honest1"
What do | carer It's got to be
signed. and
81 care. Aud think the bill is
fraudulent"
Getting tender In the conscience.
dren you wen -
III you put it that way, yes. think
this Borough bill is crooked from first
! to last But
whats the matter with 1t? Aint"-
LET me explain" pursued Alwyn.
This bill gives the Borough Street
Railway company the right to use
whatever motive power they choose to.
1t gives them the right TO charge five
cent fares without any transfers. In
, one paragraph there's a clause permit
! ting them to build q subway II they
want one. BY another paragraphs con-
I SESSIONS they can build a conduit and
lease it out for telephone or telegraph
wires. BY another they can do an ex
press business. But all these provi-
sions are az nothing compared to the
fact that the bill gives the streets
above and below ground to the Bor
ough company forever and ever-not
for a term of years, but until the end
Of the world. 1t delivers that route to
the company not only for our time, but
FOR always. and binds us and our de-
| scendants TO Its terms. That is the
| x.
think that the
"Oh. we've got n bowling reformer
In the mayors seat have WEI" scoffcd
Horrigan. IF Id known that
"The people have got man who is
trying to protect their rights and prop
erty Heres letter received to-
day. You'll recognize the name of the
capitalist who wrote it. You know he
Is honest as well as wise. This is his
propositions He will pay 100000 for
that same franchise. give the city 10
per cent of the gross receipts and turn
over the whole plant to it at the end
of fifty years, What do you think Of
that"
Its fake"
at is bona hde offer. He volun-
teers to deposit 100000 to bind the
bargain. Now, what ! want to ask
you. Mr. Horrigan, is this: II the fran
chise Ia worth 100000, why are you
and your faction in the board Of alder
men so anxious to give 1t away for
nothlng:"
Look here" clustered the boss.
"I"-
II am looking" returned Bennett.
1--WE been looking deeper into it than
you realize. asked you a question
just now. I'll answer 1t myself in
one word-'Graft! That is why you
want to give away n franchise that is
worth $1,000 600"
Graft" snorted Horrigan contemptr-
81 4
What's your idea OF graft anyway"
Graft is unearned increment. Money
to which the recipient has no legal or
moral right. That is
80. Then show me the man who
amt n CRATER! A lawyer shows his
client how to evade the law. and he
takes a fee for doing 1t. What's that
but graft? 4 magazine takes pay for
printing an adv ertisement its editors
know Is fake. What's that? Graft
When n congressman votes for an ap-
preparation because another congress
man has agreed TO vote for one OF
his, what's that: Graft, When five
thousand year senator retires at the
end Of ten years worth million. what's
1850 a year buys yachts and country
estates. Graft! How about the rail-
road president who gets stock free In
a corporation that ships over his road,
or the insurance man or banker who
gives or takes fat loans on fancy Sc
cnrities and clears 1000 per cent:
Grafters. all of 'em. Grafters. Every
one CRAFTS who can or who Isn't too
stupid Show me man who doesnt
graft and I'll show yon fool. Present
company not excepted"
That's where you're wrong" retNrn-
ed Alywn. ignoring the slur and speak
ing with judicial quiet oddly at con-
} trast with the boss vehemence. The
man who said Honesty Is the best pol.
ICY knew what he was talking about.
1t pays best not only hereafter, but
here as we'll. Why did Missouri choose
Folk for governor? Because in spite
of his faults he is honest. Why was
La Toilette sent to the senate from
Wisconsin? Because. faults and all. he
was honest Why did the people OF
; this country make Roosevelt their pres
ident? Were they blind to his faults
and foibles? No, but they knew he
: was honest. | am honest This bill
isn't That is why won't sign It,"
, "You won't, eh?" roared Horrigan
: "Then veto it! Veto 1t If you dare I'll
not only smash your political career