Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-11-25

but l think it is extremely unlikely
that he'll accept It, He told me that
he intended to run as an absolute In
dependent; not to be tied to any party
whatsoever"
They'll offer him the nomination
sure" said Connell "They amt never
had such a chance as he'll present
since I've been chief of police. and
that's nearly twenty years"
well, If he won't accept It, that1l
make them all sore as the devil" said
Habberley.
Exactly" interposed Liffey, land
therefore l propose that we make a
nonpartisan ticket to run against him;
that We divide the Offices between the
ms and outs; reservin' to ourselves
the most important and vital ones. of
course, but givin' the outs enough TO
make 'em feel good, let 'em git their
fingers into the public pie for few
pickin's. and SO on. We can easily
do that without losin' too much, and
we'll present united front against
him."
"A united front Of all the grafters.
thieves. blackguards, financiers. and
politicians in New York." sneered
Rutherford.
you don't like the scheme, Mr..
Rutherford" roared Ldffey angrily
Vastly. think It's one of the best
that could be proposed"
las for myself" said Haldane. Il
also think 1t has elements OF attrac-
tiveness, although / must protest
against being placed In tho category
you have enumerated, Mr.. Ruther-
ford"
"Oh. protest all you like" said the
district attorney easily. THE sug-
gestion is good one, Lffey. It's not
hard to see why you're in your pres
cnt position. You have level head.
think we are all agreed on what you
suggest, Ell, gentlemen"
"Goodl" said Haldane after the as
sents had been received. ut only re-
mains then to make up the slate.
Shall we do 1t now or later?"
I'VE might as well do our part of 1t
ho", neiu l%iHty. III oeS locusoh W
morrow and put 1t up to him. He can
name his cont buttons to the list and
then Wen announce it."
And our PLATFORM" queried Ruther-
ford
ITO stand on our record and point
with pride, and say mighty little else"
returned the boss concisely.
Rutherford laughed; SO did the rest.
1t was so absurd and yet so exceeding
ly adroit.
And I'll carry out my part of the
game" said the chief OF police.
What part was that?" asked
Haldane.
While you were out" answered
Rutherford, "our worthy censor of pub
lie morals, guardian of public inter-
ests, and enforcer of public law, sug-
gested that 1t would be good thing
TO employ the detective force OF the
city in looking out for the interests OF
the party by investigating the past,
present, and future of Mr.. Gormly.
You see reform candidate has got to
be of blameless life. That's the rea-
son we are none of us allied with that
party, take it. And II anything
whatsoever can be found which tends
to cast a cloud over the individual
reformer, his cakes dough"
81 suggest" said Mr.. Haldane, that
any information you may acquire
should be submitted to those of us
who are present before any use Ia
made of It,"
ooh that, of course" said Liffey.
Chief, don't make any moves without
submitting them to me-"
There is still another matter OF
interest to us all which must be set
tied" continued Haldane.
What's that?"
THE old franchise Of the New York
Street Car company that expires this
snring. tho unlS- th21 caEcleteS the