Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-30
"A Cyclone
4 OF Ambnion.
copyright, 1908, by American Press Asso-
citation

as six months before the general cleo
ton Of 80 that he would be candi-
date for office he would have laughed
him to scorn. Thomas was the most
unassuming man in the world. Small,
bald, nearsighted, with a soft voice
and extreme gentleness of manner, he
was especially untitled for participa-
ton in an exciting campaign.
One day a widow, impecunious and
ambitious, hearing Of Mr.. Thompson
and his income, made up her mind to
marry him. There are various ways
Of appropriating a man. The widow
chose that Of carrying him by storm.
When the storm was over Mr.. Thomas
was a married man.
The wedding occurred five months
and two weeks before the election. At
the end Of weeks honeymoon Mr..
Thomas took up his paper one morn
ing and read
There is movement on foot to place
Thomp Thomas, a gum shoe politician Of
the Seventh ward. In nomination for may
| or. We hope It will not succeed. We
need a practical business man for the po-
|
Mr.. Thomas was astounded. Calling
his wife, he showed her the item.
"Well," she said. II know I've married
drone, but l don't intend that my
husband shall remain a drone. l have
some ambition. l and you are one.
We will work together. l am arrang-
ing for your candidacy myself"
But, my dear
81 have the promise of the boss that
you shall have the nomination. All
that Is required is your check for So
600 for election expenses
give thousand dollarsp'
(Which will be well spent. You
have never taken any stand in the
town whatever, but the mayoralty
wilr'-
Mr.. Thomas groaned. Then he
showed bit of fight-the only fight
he had ever shown in his life-but
Mrs. Thomas so out-Heroded Herod
} in war of words that her husband
was cowed. He did not consent to the
movement his wife had inaugursted
any more than man consents to be
drowned; he was simply submerged.
The $1,000 was handed in to the boss.
who after depositing the lions share
to the credit Of the reorganization" be-
gan paying out the rest to the heelers
Thompson Thomas received the NOM
nation. Judson Tadleben was put up
by the opposition boss, and the people
became greatly interested in what they
considered their franchise as American
, citizens. The morning after the nom-
| nation Mr.. Thomas was surprised to
, read in journal-the mouthpiece Of
the party he perpendicular interview
, with himself. He was not aware Of
having been interviewed and spoke Of
his establishment to his wife. She in
formed him that it was faxed" in
terview for political purposes. Among
other things that had been put into his
mouth, was this:
, mr.. Thomas what are your views con-
corning the trusts?"
II consider them unholy alliances to
, grind the faces Of the poor"
And how do you stand on the labor
question:
II look upon the laborer as a man and
brother. II elected. / shall do all in my
power to advance his interests at the ex-
pense of his employers"
; Mr.. Thomas was indignant. what
pothouse politician put that in my
mouth?" he said to his wife. II would
be an idiot to advance the laborers
interest at the expense of his employ
err Where would the laborer be if
his employer were degraded"
mo pothouse politician wrote it, my
dear. l was Informed that your views
would be required, and / put that In
myself. You must stand well with
the laborer or you will be defeated
Then came demands for more funds.
Mr.. Thomas refused. but one days bat
tie with his wife was sufficient, and he
gave another check and another and
another till most of his capital was in
vested In his candidacy for an office he
didn't want. But the browning agony
was the abuse heaped upon him by the
opposition. When he read the follow
ing he tainted dead away:
There is a man Just now prominent be-
fore the public who 1t is rumored IL he
had his just deserts would be behind bars
rather than soliciting the votes Of his
countrymen. Could the opposition sink
lower than nominate one who has sought
by every means in his power to throw
dust about his past? Only jury of those
countrymen could throw a searchlight
upon that record he seeks to hide
AS soon as Thomas could pull himself
together he went to the newspaper Of
flee and demanded to see the man who
wrote the article. You mustn't mind
a little thing like that, Mr. Thomas"
said the scrlbbler. smiling. "They say
alps fair in love and war. They forgot
to put in politics. But I'll have the
law Of you" "Oh, we haven't men,
toned you. Good day, Mr. Thomas
Hope you'll meet with success"
The morning Of the 4th of November
came at last. A president was elected
with an eclat that diverted attention
from the minor Offices Mr.. Thomas,
looking In his morning paper for his
record, saw In one corner:
Thompson Thomas was defeated for
mayor Of -. Certain presidential votes
| were needed and some IL OOO that would