Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-03-12
A GENTLEMAN FROM
MISSISSIPPI.
Continued from page 8

he'll come. i trust Peabody more than
the best clock made at a 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.
The three senators seated themselves.
81 suppose you wouldn't consider
yourself so important, Langdon. IL 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 a ma
Jority o. the committee without your
vote"
."That wouldn't prevent me from
making a minority report for Gulf
City and explaining why ! 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 l together make
up the senator from Mississippi"
"All right. What l want to say is
this: The president is appointing a
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.
1eisurely, OF course, SO as to formulate
a piece of legislation that will solve the
existing problems in this country. A
most generous expense account will be
allowed by the government. A mem
Der can take his family. A son, for In
stance. could act as financial secre-
tary under liberal pay"
ave heard Of that commission" said
Langdon.
"Well, Senator Peabody has the
naming Of two senators who will go on
that commission and I suggested that
your character and ability would make
you
"Good glory exclaimed Langdon,
s'you mean that my character and abil-
ity would make me something or 9th
err II I kept my mouth shut In the SEN
ate this a~fternooni Stevens. I've been
surprised so many times since ] came
TO the capital that 1t 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 D thing that | want
In Washington-and you haven't Of
fered 1t to me yet When you do I'll
do business with you"
"What's thatf Speak out, mani" said
Peabody quickly.
"a square deal for the people of the
United States"
'Good Lordi" exclaimed "the boss
OF the senate" els this Washington
or is 1t heaven"
at is not heaven, senator" put in
Haines.
"Man alive" cried Peabody. "Tve
been in Washington so long that
$50 long you've forgotten that the
American people really exist" retorted
Langdon, land there are more like you
In the senate, all because the voters
have no chance to choose their own
senators. The public in most states
has to take the kind of a senator that
the legislature, made up mostly of
politicians, 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 sem
ators.'' went on Langdon, thoroughly
aroused, something to surprise you. ]
have discovered that you were not
working for yourselves alone in the
Aitacoola deal, but that you intend to
turn your land over to the Standard
Steel company at a big profit as soon
as 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"
Lie otudLOk bdhh Jam II hio NhNAi
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 to be in
suited by the rawlings of a mailman"
cried the Pennsylvania. But he
brought his associate to a standstill
midway IN fba 6Oor "Rv the way.
Langdon. what is 1t you are going to
do in the senate this ~afternoon?" he
asked. you said you were going to
make us honest against our will. You
know you can't do anything"
Bud Haines turned his face oward
the speaker and grinned broadly. to
the senator's intense discomfort.
"I'n do more than that" announced
Langdon. rising and pounding a fist
HKHIN 80.