Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1908-06-19


sign that bill or you'll
"Mr. Horrigan." exclaimed Bennett,
controlling his temper with more ana
more difficulty. you said something
Just now about our coming to a show
down. This is the time for II. want
you to remember hencegorth that
wear no mans collar-yours or any
one else's-and that you can't deliver
any goods you've bargGined for IN my
name. If Sign that bill 1t won't he
under your orders but because | think
1t right"
oh" laughed Horrlgan, who thought
he began to see the drift of the 9TH
ers mind, 81 don't hold out for that. |
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 honestT
what do l care? It's got to be
signed, and"-
Il care. And think the bill is
fraudulent"
Getting tender in the conscience,
aren't you? Welp'-
IF you put 1t that way, yes. think
this Borough bill is crooked from first
to last But
Whats the matter with It? Aln't''-
"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
enc paragraph there's clause permit
ting them to build a subway If they
want one. BY another paragraphs con-
cessions 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 as 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
chief outrage of the whole thing To
think that the
"Oh, we've got bowling reformer
In the mayors seat have weY' scoffed
Horrlgan. IF I'd known that
1.-The people have got man who is
trying to protect their rights and prop
erty. Here's letter / received to-
day. You'll recognize the name Of the
capitalist who wrote 1t. You know he
is honest as well as wise. This is his
proposition: 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
thatT
'Tt's a fake"
ut is a bona f1de offer. He volun-
teers to deposit $1,O00,0O0 to bind the
bargain. Now, what want to ask
you. Mr.. Horrigan, is this: II the fran
chise is worth 100000. why are you
and your faction in the board Of alder
men so anxious to give 1t away for
nothing?"
Look herew clustered the boss.
~
81 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-'Graftv That Is why you
want to give away franchise that is
worth $2,OOO0OO."
"Graftv snorted Horrigan contemptu-
ously. "The same old reformer howl!
what's your idea Of graft anyway"
Graft is unearned increment. Money
to which the recipient has no legal or
moral right. That isl
$50! Then show me the man who
amt a grafterl A lawyer shows his
client how to evade the law, and he
takes a fee for doing 1t. WHAT'S that
but graft? A magazine takes pay for
printing an advertisement It's editors
know is a fake What's that? Graft!
When congressman votes for an. APP
preparation because another congress
man has agreed to vote for one OF
his, what's thatf Craft When a five
thousand year senator retires at the
end Of ten years worth million, what's
thati Graft! A police captain on ST.
75o a year buys yachts and country
estates. Graft! How about the rail-
road president who gets stock free IN
corporation that ships over his road
or the insurance man or banker who
gives or takes fat loans on fancy Sc
curities 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 doesn't
gro ~ and III show you a fool. Present