The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1909-06-03
CHAPTER ".

man. IL must DC SOkuctuluS AIkOt-
tant that brings both the boss Of the
senate and. Stevens Of Mississippi
here"
Good afternoon, Hsines. How are
your? Senator Stevens said cordially.
as, looking up. he saw the newspaper
man approaching. Senator Peabody.
you know Haines, don't you! The
brightest young correspondent in
Washington"
Senator Peabody Of Pennsylvania,
the leading power In the upper house,
was a man Of commanding character
and Of strong personality. The fact
be used these attributes to advance In
the senate the financial interests Of
himself. Of Standard Steel and other
commercial organizations met with
very little protest In Washington. That
he deserved the title frequently used
In referring to him, boss Of the SEN
ate" none would deny who had knowl-
edge Of the inner workings Of the SEN
ate and the various committees.
Senator Peabody was very a6able to
the reporters, especially to those Of
Haines' stamp. who had never accept
ed any favors from him and who op-
posed his methods. he aimed to win
the friendship Of these opponents BY
diplomacy-as he had found that Ne
porters Of the Haines sort could not
be Influenced by money. He conssd-
cred a reporter who would take q bribs
AZ q constructive, conservative member
Of society and freQuently regretted
that 90 many Of the correspondents
sent 10 Washtngton could not BE-
bought nor had bills they wanted pass
ed or defeated. He extended hin hand
10 Haines N Stevens concluded and
said warmly:
'tOf course I know the representative
Of the Morning Star! How do you do,
Hainesr
II wonder II were not all here On
the same errand," suggested tho news
paper man.
Senator Peabody appeared to be al
candor.
I'VE came to call on Senator Lang
don, Senator Stevens new colleague.
be said.
Bud Haines opened his eyes wide.
by Jove, Langdon stock is going up
when the chairman Of the naval COM
mittee drops in to welcome him"
you see, Langdon went In on a
naval base platform" explained Ste
vens. "Our section Of the south Is
red hot in favor Of the government
spending its naval base appropriation
right there"
Certainly" interrupted Haines,
but
And. there being a vacancy on the
committee on naval AFFAIRS" continued
Stevens. whose dignity was offended
by the reporters interruption, the
friends Of Senator Langdon are work
ing to have him appointed on that
committee, because he comes from The
state where the naval base win be
located aud VIII, like myself. be more
familiar with the availability Of the
various sites suggested than a man
from another state"
Haines nodded.
Yes. Of course. What towns going
to get It, senatoer
Senator Stevens paused judiciously.
We'll" he said. "Altacoola and Gulf
City are the chief candidates. Cup
pose you had better talk to Langdon
about It"
The reporter smiled.
THAT'S Just what l came for, sen.
atof, but I have to 80 up to the war
department now. When Senator Lang
don comes will you be kind enough to
tell him l want to interview him.?
Stevens bowed cordially.
Indeed l shall. I'll tell him he's In
luck to have the smartest young man
In Washington on the job"
"All right" laughed Bud. "on'y don't
make it so strong that be won't recog-
nize me when he sees me. Good
dag" And be hurried away to keep a
belated appointment
Clever boy said Steyens as the
newspaper man disappeared
The boss Of the senate agreed.
Yes, only I'm not sure it's good
thing for a newspaper man to be too
clever. Spoils his usefulness Makes
him ask too many confounded ques-
tons"
Stevens acquiesced, for it would
never do to disagree with the boss.
"It's very kind Of you, SENATOR" be
began, changing the subject, ITO come
with me to welcome the new senator
from my state. my old friend and col
league"
An inscrutable smile-a smile, yet q
cold one-accompanied Peabody's an
swer.
81 have always found, Stevens he
said, that a little attention Ike this
to a new man is never wasted. and !