The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-30

before 1t had been asked as a ia.
vor. Mason found that, in very
truth. he was servant of the
people.
Now, Mason had a theory of po-
litical success, evolved from his
own observation in part and in part
from the comments and criticisms
of Darnell. Since his nomination,
Mason had given some thought to
Baxter and lis methods, and Oar
nell had studied others. Baxter had
been the poor mans friend; he did
mot confine his work to the council,
but looked after his constituents.
He turned no one from his door;
the woman in need and the man in
trouble found him ever ready to
hear their stories and to help them
He made himself SO popular and
almost indispensable to the ward
{ that he was enabled to do about as
he pleased in the council. What he
made out of corrupt measures was
nothing to his constituents.
you've got great chance,
Mason" Darnell said, "but you've
got to take a lesson from the
gangsters, if you're going to make
the most Of it. You've got to look
out for your people. Baxter used
to give them turkey dinner
Thanksgiving day, and then go
down and steal the roof off the
city hall. The dinner wasn't alb
solutely necessary and the theft
wasn't necessary at all, but he
proved he was their friend.
don't see why a man can't prove
he's their friend and be honest,
too"
mo more do l." returned Ma
son.
But the average reformer
never does it," asserted Darnell.
Hes so busy being honest that
he hasn't time for anything else.
He goes on the theory that he is
superior being, but he proves
that he is an inferior politician.
He is in the clouds and they want
man who is very much down on
the earth"
81 guess they'll never find me
in the Clouds laughed Mason.
''for I've been down on earth with
them too long. My reputation in
that line is already established"
In truth, it did seem as if Ma
son now had his opportunity. But
many of the demands made upon
him were of nature he had not
expected. For instance, he was
asked to get a railroad pass for
one of the small merchants of the
ward, who gave a little attention to
politics.
But what have I to do with
railroad passes?' asked Mason.
ooh, you can get one all right"
was the answer. "The railroads
are always having dealings with
the council, and they are mighty
careful how they refuse an alder
man. Baxter used to do it."
"If get a pass" said Mason,
81 will be putting myself under
obligations to the road that issues
it, and, when that road wants any
thing of the council. | am likely to
find myself in a mighty awkward
position. l can't afford to do it."
The man looked surprised and
grieved.
'If it was a charity matter"
Mason added, there might be
some excuse for it, but you can
afford to pay fare. | wouldn't ask
for pass for myself, and l won't
ask for one for you"
| The man departed, resentful
Mason, he said, was not the right
kind of a man for the place, and
it was a certainty he would not
hold it long.
| Then there was man who want
ed peddler's license without
charge. The cost of such license
was $40, but, in exceptional cases,
to enable a poor man to get a start
it was customary to remit the fee.
AS a result of this practice, there
had been scandal. and only
short time before the fact had been
made public that there were at that
date more than thousand out
standing licenses of this sort, for
which the city had not received a
penny. Mason reminded the ap-
plicant of this.
you are able to pay" he urged.
"But l don't want to-" returned
the man.
"Well, guess you'll have too
this year." asserted Mason.
ooh, no, won't" said the man.
There's another alderman from
this ward"
Mason was absolutely right, but
another friend was lost.
He was called upon to arrange
for $25 wagon permits in the same
way, also, in addition to being ask
ed to secure sidewalk privileges
that were contrary to the ordi-
nances.
"Those ordinances are not en-
forced, except where there Is no
influence" he was told.
"But they ought to be-" he insist
ed 81 wasn't elected to arrange
for violations of the law"