Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-06-03


most surprised man in Wash
ington when he heard the Jun
49, Tor senator from Mississippi
state that no one was to enrich him
self out of the government naval base
project.
He heaped a mental anathema on
the head Of Stevens for saddling such
a man on the senate machine" fol
Langdon would Of course never had
been put on naval affairs" Dust now
very important to the machine) with
out the 60 X" Of Stevens. who had
won heretofore thoroughly reliable
reputation az Judge Of men, or OF
what purpOrted to he men. The
thought that at this time, Of all times
there should be man on the commit
tee on naval affairs that could not be
handled" was sufficient to make him
who reveled in the title Of boss Of the
senate" determine that he must get
another chief lieutenant to replace Ste.
vcns. who had proved so Trustworthy
in the past. Stevens had lost his cum
ming.
AS the vote of Langdon could not be
secured by humbug or in exchange fol-
favors and as it could not be "deliv.
cred Peabody. Of course. was willing
to pay in actual cash for the vote
This was the final step, but one In po
liticnl conspiracies of this nature-cash
But Langdon would not take cash, 80
ho RI oe.%
agency Of the trained and corrupt ma.
nipulator OF legislation.
He would threaten.
Moreover. he knew that to make
threats effective. If It is possible TO
do so. they must he ed up to systemat.
ically-that IS, they should be made at
the right time. The scene must be set,
as in a play
Senator Peabody glared at Langdon
as though to convince the latter that
to stand in his way would mean polit.
ical destruction.
Ell: Well. ] suppose you want all the
profits for Yourself" Turning to Ste.
vens, who had Just entered, the Penn.
sylvanian cried:
"Do you but listen to our suddenly
good friend Langdon. He wants TO be
the only man to make money out of
the naval base. He won't listen to any
other member Of the naval committee
making cent out Of it. Why. he
Great God, sir" exclaimed Langdon.
You are going too far, Peabody. You
state what is false, and you know It,,
you-you"-
Then you are willing that others
should have their rightful share?" put
in Stevens. "Oh, l understand now,
senator"
mo. no. no. cried Langdon. You
do not understand, Senator Stevens.
and must say am ashamed to speak
Of You by the honorable title OF sena.
tor. sir. ! will not listen to any person
enriching himself at the government
expense. and l am your enemy. you.
Peabody, and YOU, Stevens. beyond re-
call. You both know you misrcpresent
me-"
Lsngdon walked over to Stevens and
faced him directly.
do you remember, Stevens, Lorimer
awkslee, back in wartime:"
Yes said Stevens. puzzlsd. II re-
member him-a very fine gentleman"
The old planter sneered
Yes, a very fine gentleman. You
remember he got rich out Of contracts
for supplies furnished to the Confed-
crate government when 1t wasn't any
too easy for the Confederate govern.
ment to pay and when he was in that
himself. ! never quite
thought that the act of a gentleman,
Stevens. 1t seemed to me to be very
like dishonesty. ! refused to speak
TO Lorimer Hawkslee in the Carroll
hotel at Vicksburg. and when the peo-
pie there asked me why told them.
! want to warn you. Stevens, that I'm
likely to meet you some time in the
Carroll hotel at vicksburg."
Stevens backed away angrily. II
catch your insinuation, but"-he re-
ceived a warning glance from Pea
body and broke into a pleasant smile
calculated to deceive the old planter
this once ! will overlook 1t because Of
our old friendship aud the old days In
You are a fine talker. Langdon,"
said Peabody, coming to Stevens res
cue. but l can readily see what you
are driving at. You want an investi-
CATION. You think you will catch some
Of us with what you reformers call
the goods but forget evidently the
simple facts that your family
has Invested in Altacooln lands more
heavily probably than any ono else
among us. You want to raise a scan
dni, do you! Well, 60 on and raise 1t.
but remember that you will have to
explain how 1t happened that there Is
&50,O Invested In the name OF your
son and $4,000 In the name Of your
Miss Carolina, not to men
ton few thousands put In by the
gentleman who. I am given to under
stand, is to be your son.in.iaw. Con-
gresham Norton.
How about that. Norton?" Peabody
asked, turning to the congressman.
who had followed Stevens.
II corroberate all you've said" re-