The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-07-09
And l think the bill Is

II care And think the bill is
fraudulent"
Getting tender in the conscience,
aren't you? Welr'-
III you put it that way, yes. think
this Borough bill is crooked from first
to last. But
whats the matter with It? Ain'f'-
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 il they
want one. BY another paragraphs con-
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 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 a bowling reformcr
In the mayors seat, have we?" scoffed
H0rrigan. IF I'd known that
"The people have got man who Is
trying to protect their rights and prop
erty. Here's letter l received to-
day. You'll recognize the name Of the
capitalist who wrote it. You know lie
is honest as we'll as wise. This is his
proposition: He will pay $2,OOO,000 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?"
"It's a fake"
1T is bona fide offer. He volun-
teers to deposit $1,OO0.0OO to bind the
bargain. Now, what want to ask
you, Mr.. Horrigan. is this: If the fran
chise is worth $2,OOOo0O. why are you
and your faction in the board Of alder
men SO anxious to give it away for
nothingy"
Look here" clustered the boss.
'p'-
Il am looking" returned Bennett.
"Pve been looking deeper into it than
you realize. asked you a question
just now I'll answer it myself in
one word-'Graftv That is why you
want to give away franchise that is
worth $o,OOO.OOO"
1 i sGraftts, y, szvrel szvrtell NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ously. 1.-The same old reformer howl!
What's your idea Of graft anyway?"
Graft is unearned increment. ,Ioney
to which the recipient has no legal OF
moral right. That is
80! Then show me the man who
amt CRATER! A lawyer shows his
client how to eyade the law. and he
takes fee for doing it. What's that
but graft? A magazine takes pay for
printing an advertisement its editors
know is a fake. What's that? Graft!
When 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
that? Graft! police captain on s.
$50 a year buys yachts and country
estates. Graft! How about :!:@ r, :
road president who gets stock free lii
a corporation that ships over his r:.i;t!.
or the insurance man or banker WHO
gives or takes fat loans OIL fancy Sc
curities and clears 1000 per cent:
Gafters, all Of 'em. Grafiers. Every
one CRAFTS who can or who isni
. STUPID. Show me a man who iornn
graft and I'll show yon Il fool. Present
company not excepted"
. "That's where you're wrong" return
ed Alywn. ignoring the slur and spei,k
ing with judicial quiet oddly at con
. trast with the boss vebemence. THE
man who said Honesty is the best Eol
icy knew what he was talking about
It pays best not only hereafter. bu
. here as we'll Why did Missouri choos'
Folk for governor? Because in spite
of his faults he Is honest. Why WA!
La Toilette sent to the senate from
wisconsin? Because. faults and all, h
:. was honest. Why did the people 0
this country make Roosevelt their pres
ident? Were they blind to his fault
: and foibles? No. but they knew IN
/. was honest! | am honest This hll
), isn't. That is why won't sign 1t
. "You won't. eh?" roared Horrigai
:. .'Then veto 1t! Veto 1t If you dare. II
not only smash your political careeI
: but I'll pass the bill over your vet'
That'll show you pretty well how so
and me stand as to power in the cit,