The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-04-02

any other that you are interested III
now or in future will be trampled un,
derfoot in the senate. Mississippi will
have no use for senator who cannot
produce results in Washington, and
that will prove the bitterest lesson you
have ever learned"
I'm waiting for Peabody here, Ste
vens"
"Oh, ridiculous! OF course he's not
coming. Why, Langdon, he's the king
of the senate. He has the biggest men
Of the country at his call. He's
Hes got one minute left" observed
Langdon, looking at the clock, but
he'll come. trust Peabody more than
the best clock made at time like this
when
The figure Of the senior senator from
Pennsylvania appeared in the door
way.
Good day, Senator Langdon," he
remarked icily.
Same to you. Have a see-gar, sena-
tor" said Langdon. He turned and
winked significantly at Haines.
81 suppose you wouldn't consider
yourself so important, Langdon, if you
knew that we now find we can get an
other member of the naval affairs COM
mittee over to our side for Altacoola,"
began Peabody. THAT gives US ma
jority of the committee without your
vote"
THAT wouldn't prevent me from
making a minority report for Gulf
City and explaining why l made that
report, would it?" the Mississippian
asked blandly.
Peabody and Stevens both knew that
1t wouldn't Stevens exchanged glances
with the boss Of the senate and in
low voice began making to Langdon a
proposition to which Peabody's assent
had been gained.
"Langdon, we would like to be
alone" and he nodded toward Haines.
Sorry can't oblige, senator" Lang
don replied. Bud and | together make
up the senator from Mississippi"
"All right. What l want to say is
this: The president is appointing
commission to investigate the condi-
ton of the unemployed. The members
are to go to Europe, five or six coun-
tries, and look into conditions there,
leisurely. Of course. so as to formulate
piece of legislation that will solve the
existing problems in this country. A
most generous expense account will be
allowed by the government. A men,
Der can take his family. A son, for in
stance, could act as financial secre-
tary under liberal pay"
1--WE heard of that commission" said
Langdon.
well, Senator Peabody has the
naming Of two senators who will go on
that commission, and ] suggested that
your character and ability would make
you
Good glory" exclaimed Langdon,
you mean that my character and abil-
ity would make me something or 9th
er if | kept my mouth shut in the SEN
ate this afternoon! Stevens, I've been
surprised so many times since | came
to the capital that it doesn't affect
me any more. I'm just amused at
your offer or Senator Peabody's.
81 want to tell you two senators
that there's only one thing that | want
in Washington-and you haven't Of
fered it to me yet. When you do I'll
do business with you"
whats that? Speak out. manW said
Peabody quickly.
"a square deal for the people of the
United States"
"Good Lordw exclaimed 1.-The boss
Of the senate" as this Washington
or is it heavenr'
at is not heaven, senator" put in
Haines
"Man alive" cried Peabody, i've
been in Washington so long that
$50 long you've forgotten that the
American people really exist" retorted
land there are more like you
in the senate. all because the voters
have no chance to choose their own
senators. The public i'm most states
has to take the kind of a senator that
the legislature. made up mostly of
feels like making them
take You, Peabody. wouldn't be in
the senate today If the voters had any
thing to say about it."
The Pennsylvania shrugged his
shoulders.
"And now I'll tell you honorable sen
ators." went on Langdon. thoroughly
aroused. something to surprise you.
have -discovered that you were not |
working for yourselves alone I'm the |
Altacools deal, but that you intend to |
turn your land over to the Standard |
Steel company at a big profit as soon
rs this naval base bill is passed Then |
that company will squeeze the govern |
ment for the best part Of the hundred |
millions that are to be- spent."
The senator sank back IN his chair |
and gazed at his two opponents.
Those two statesmen jumped TO their
feet
Come, Stevens. let him do what he /
will. We cannot stay here 20 be in
suited by the rawlings Of a mailman"
,ried the Pennsylvania But he
brought his associate 10 standstill |
TO the door by the way. 4
Langdon. what is 1t you are going to
10 in the senate this afternoon lac
lsked. You said you were going to
make us honest against our will You
know you can't do anything"
Bud Haines turned his face toward
he speaker and grlnned broadly. 60
he senator's intense discomfort
"Ill do mere than that" announ cd
-angdon. rising and pounding a hst
nto his open hand. "T'll make You
md Stevens more popular than you
yer were In your lives before
Bah shouted Pea. dy.