Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-03-20
CHAPTER XXI.
IN You CAN'T Buzz A SENATOR, THREAT
EN- HIM"

CHAPTER XXI.
m You CAN'T BUY SENATOR, THREAT.
EN- HIM"
most surprised man in Wash
ington when he heard the jun
~ for 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 saddiing such
man on the senate machine" for
Langdon would OF course never had
been put on naval affairs" dust now
very important to the machine) with
out the 20. K" Of Stevens. who had
won heretofore thoroughly reliable
reputation as Judge Of men. or Of
what purpcrted to be men. The
thought that at this time, Of all tines
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
vens, who had proved 80 Trustworthy
IN the past. Stevens had lost his cum
ningi
AS the vote Of Langdon could not be
secured by humbug or in exchange for
favors and rs It could not be ''deliv-
ered," Peabody. Of cosrse. was willing
to pay IN actual cash for the vote
This was the dual step, but one In po-
litical conspiracies Of this nature-cash
But Langdon would not take cash, SO
Peabody had to resort to the last
agency OF the trained and corrupt ma
nipulator Of legislation.
He would threaten.
Moreover, he knew that to make
threats effective, II 1t is possible to
do 60, they must be led up to systemat-
ically-that IL, they should be made at
the right time. The scene must be set,
as In a play.
Senator Peabody giared at Langdon
as though to convince che latter that
to stand In his way would mean polit-
zeal destruction.
IS $50 nobody u going to make cent,
eh7 Well, ! suppose you want al the
profits for yourself" Turning to Ste
vens, who had Just entered, the Penn
sylvanian cried:
ssDo 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 a cent out OF It Why, he"-
"Great God. STRIP exclaimed Langdon.
You are going too far. Peabody. You
state what Is false, ana you know It,
you-yor''
4aThen you are willing that others
should have their rightful share?" put
In Stevens. ooh, understand now,
senator"
s.No, no, nor cried Langlon. you
do not understand. Senator Stevens
and must ray I am ashamed to speak
OF you by the honorable title of sena7
tor. sir. WIN not listen to any person
enriching himself at the government
expense, and am your enemy, you.
Peabody, and ycu, Stevens. beyond re
call. You both know you misrepresent
me.
Lansdon walked over to Stevens and
faced him directly.
'.Do you remember. Stevens Lorimer
Hawkslee, back in wartime?'
EYES," said Stevens, puzzled, 81 re-
member nina very fine gentleman"
The old planter sneered.
Eyes, a very fine gentleman! You
remember he got rich out OF contracts
for supplies furnished to the Confed-
crate government when It wasn't any
too easy for the Confederate govern
ment to pay and when he was in that
government himself. I never quite
thought that the act Of gentleman,
ktevens. It seemed to me to be very
like dishonesty. refused to speak
% Lorimer Hawkslee in the Carroll
hotel at vicksburg. and when the peo-
pie there asked me why l told them.
i want to warn you, Stevens, that I'm
likely to meet you some time in the
Carroll hotel at vicksburg."
81 Stevens backed away angrily. Il
catch your insinuation, but"-he re-
ceived a warning glance from Pea
body and broke into q pleasant smile
calculated to deceive the old planter
.sthis once / will overlook 1t because Of
our old friendship aud the old days In
Mississippi"
.sYou are a>fine talker. Langdop,"
said Peabody, coming to Stevens res
cue, 'but can readily see what you
are driving at. Yop want an inyesti-
CATION. Yon think you win catch some
Of us with what you reformers cdl
the goods but forget evidently the
entirely simple facts that your family
has invested in Altacoola lands more
heavily probably than any one else
among us. You want to raise scan
DIAL, do you? Well, go on and raise it,
but remember that you will have to
explain how 1t happened that there is
$4,000 invested in the name Of your
son and $4,000 in the name Of your
daughter, Miss Carolina, not to men,
ton few thousands put in by the
gentleman who, am given to under
stand, Is to be your son-in-law, Con-
gresham Norton.
SHOW about that. Norton?' Peabody
asked, turning to the congressman.
who had followed Stevens.
II corroberate all you've said" re-
marked Norton. II can state positively
lok h