The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-02-18

sHaincs. that prohibition stops at my
front door. in Mississippi, So I've been
living quiet life down on my planta-
ton"
This new life will be great change
for you, then:" suggested the reporter.
"Chanse! It's revolutionary, sir!
When you've expected to spend your
old days peacefully in the country,
Mr.. Haines. suddenly to find that your
state has called on YOU
A favor OF sarcasm came into
Haines' reply.
The office seeking the man? He
could not help the slight sheer. Was
n man never to admit that he had
sought the Office? Haines knew only
too Well of the arduous work neccs.
sary to secure nominations for high Of
fee in conventions and to win an cleo
ton to the senate from state legis-
lature. In almost every case, he knew
the candidate must make dozen DIFF
ferent IDEALS" to secure votes, might
promise the same office to two or three
different leaders, force others into line
by threats, send n trusted agent to an
other with a roll of bank bilis-the re
cipient Of which would immediately
conclude that this candidate was the
only man in the state who could save.
the nation from destruction. Had not
HaineS seen men who had sold their
unsuspecting delegates for cash to the
highest bidder rise in the convention
hall and in 1mpassioned, dramatic
voice eXclaim in praise Of the buyer,
"Gentlcmen. it would be CRYING
shame. a crime against civilization. II
the chosen Representatives Of our
grand old state of - did not 60 on
record in favor of such man, such a
true citizen. such an inspired patriot,
as he whose name am about to men
tion"' So the reporter may be forgiv-
en- for the ironicnl ttnEe in his hasty
interruption Of the new senator's re-
marks.
Langdon could not suppress a chuc.
kle at the doubling note in Haines' a..
titude.
II think the man would be pretty
small potatoes who wouldn't seek the
office of United States senator. Mr..
Haines." he said, 'if he could get it.
When was young man. sir, politics
IN the south was a career for gentle
man. and 1 still can't see how he could
be better engaged than in the service
of his state or his country"
fThatS right" agreed the reporter,
further impressed by the frank siuceri-
ty of the Mississippian.
The only condition in my mind. Mr.,
Haines. is that the man should ask
himself searchingly whether or not
he's competent to give the service
But seem to be talking a good deal.
Suppose we get to the interview. Elk
pect your. time is short. We'd better
begin"
Il thought we We're In the inter-
oil nNrv fI1<N
In it!' exclaimed Langdon. "Well,
II this is it.. it isn't so bad. see you
use painless method. When I was
down in Viclzsburg n reporter backed
me up in a corner. slipped his hand in
his hip pocket and pulled out list of
questions just three feet four inches
long. r.
lie wanted to know what I thought
concerning the tariff on aluminium n.y.
drates and how stood about the open
Ing OF the Tento ru reservation Of the
Comanche Indians, and what were my
ideas about the differentiaI rate Of
hauls from the Missouri river
He was a wonder. that fellow!
Kinder out Of place on n Mississippi
paper. I started to offer him a Job,
but he was so proud l was afraid he
wouldn't accept it. However, it gives
you my idea of a reporter"
IF you've been against that, / ought
to thank you for talking to me-" laugh
ed Haines.
Then you don't want to know any
thing about that sort Of stuf?" said
Langdon. with a hugh sigh of relief.
mo, SENATOR" was the amused re-
ply. Il think generally If know what
sort OF man a man is l can tell q
great deal about what he will think
on various questions"
Tro BE CoSTJNI-ED1