Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-10-16

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 show-
down. This is the time for it. want
you to remember henceforth that |
wear no mans colar-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, bat because think
II RIGHT"
oh" laughed Horrigan, who thought
he began to see the drift of the 9th
er's mind, Il don't hold out for that. |
don't care why you sign it as long as
you do sign it."
What do you think about the bill
yourself?' inquired Alwyn. do you
consider it honest?"
What do / care? It's got to be
signed, and
81 care. And think the bill is
fraudulent"
Getting tender in the conscience.
aren't you? Well
IF you put it that way, yes. I think
this Borough bill is crooked from first
to last Butt
whats the matter with It? Amt
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 clause permit
ting them to build subway II they
want one BIZ another paragraphs con-
cessions they can build a conduit and
lease 1t 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 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 reforner
in the mayors seat. have we| scofed
Horrigan. IF Id known that
"The people have go; 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 it. You know he
is honest as well IS wise This is his
proposition: He will pay 100000 for
that same franchise. give. the city 10
per cent of the gross receipts aud turn
over the whole plant to 1t at the end
of fifty years. What do you think of
that"
Its fake"
ut Is a bona 6de 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 is worth 100000. why are you
and your faction in the board Of alder
men so anxious to give II away for
nothing"
Look herew clustered the boss.
up
81 am looking" returned Bennett.
1--WE been looking deeper into 1t than
you realize. | asked you question
Just now. I'll answer 1t myself in
one word-'Graftr That is why you
want to give away franchise that is
worth $2.OOO0OO."
Craft snorted Horrlgan contemptu-
ously. 1.-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
"Sol Then show me the man who
amt CRATER! A lawyer shows his
client how to eyade the law. and he
takes fee for doing 1t. What's that
but graft? A magazine takes pay for
an advertisement its editors
know Is q fake. What's that? Graft!
When a congressman votes for an ap.
because another congress
man has agreed to vote for one or
his. what's that! Graft. When five
thousand a year senator retircS Mt the
end of ten years worth million. what's !
that? Craft A police captain on 81
$50 agar buys yachts and country
Estates. Graft. How about the rail-
Dad president who gc Is stock free In
/ corporation that ships over his road,
" the Insurance man or banker who
lives or takes fat loans on fancy Sc.
urities aud clears 1000 per cent?
irafters. all Of 'em, Grafters. Every
ne CRAFTS who can or who isn't too
tupid Show me man who doesn't
raft and I'll show you u fool. Present
ompany not excepted"
That's where you're wrong" return.
d Alywn, ignoring the slur and speak,
lg with judicial quiet oddly at con.
asst with the boss vehemence. 1.-THE
an who said Honesty Is the best pol
y knew what he was talking about.
pays best not only hereafter. but
ere as well. Why did Missouri e. .
ok for governor? Because IN ....e
his faults he is honest. Why was
a Toilette sent to the senate from
Wisconsin,? Because. faults ard all. he
as honest. Why did the people of
lis country make Roosevelt their pres.