The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-11-10

The Honorable William 8. Morton,
member Of Congress, had been side
tracked out OF his own county organ
ization. When Brooke county select
ed its delegates to the state conven-
ton Mr.. Morton's name was not on
the list. In his own county his down
fall had been designed. 1t had been
accomplished quietly-a word here
and there, suggestion at the right
moment to a disaffected one-and
under it all a purpose. subtle and de-
liberate.
The absence OF the well-known
poitician from the personnel of the
state convention was an incident OF
tremendous political significance. h
was the first break in his power. A
politicians county is the cornerstone
of his success. and without 1t he can
have only an uncertain structure that
will soon go to pieces. From end 10
end of the state the press commented
on the incident and politicians dis
cussed II.
Congressman Morton's career was
ended He had lost his grip. Al the
first sign OF weakness hundred men
were ready to spring upon him anu
tear from him his power Another
faction was waiting to rule the coun'
ty and the opportunity had come
Without the support Of his county ne
could not be renominated for Con-
gress. He would drop out OF tho
political life, and although he woulo
always stand high in public opinion
he would be that most unhappy man
"a politician shorn Of his power.
The convention was called to order.
The routine preliminaries were gone
through. The delivery of oratoricai
masterpieces began. The chairman
announced the name of Justice James
Clarkson Of the state supreme court
Justice Clarkson rose.
"Mr. Chairman" he began. ladies
and gentlemen--
There was faint hiss The judge
stopped
at Is my pleasure" he went on
The hiss came again. This time II
was louder and seemed to come from
several parts of the room.
The judges face darkened with
anger Again he began to speak. but
from one side of the room came a
catcall It was answered from the
other side. Several voices took 1t up
The chairman pounded on his desl
for order.
The catcalls grew louder. From al
parts of the room came a steady hiss
ing. A man in the rear began to yell
In a moment the convention was
wild uproar of inarticulate. derisiv'
hootings.
The judge ghastly. furious. st9o'
in his place. A man caught the tall
Of his coat and jerked him to hi
seat. A dozen of his friends sur
rounded him. pushed him upon
chair and shouted to the chairman T.
preserve order
AS the Judge appeared above tn
crowd the hooting changed to reg
ular intonation. accompanied by
steady stamping of feet.
Traitor Traitor. Where is MOI
toni"
The Judge dropped from his chai
and buried his face In his arms ant
around him the storm OF execratiol
ragged
!. From the gallery Cecilia Morto
watched the turmoil with passionate
wondering Joy. Some one ha
planned this demonstration. Som
one had filled the hall with traine
rooters and organized the younge
, delegates into jeering chorus; som
one who knew that Judge Clarkson'
, public humiliation would restore tn
prestige OF the friend he had b'
trayed.
Harry Seldom. the all but accepte
I lover. the politician OF dreams an
/. theories which had seemed so bea'
tiful to her. was running about tn
. hall frantically imploring men to b
r quiet. TO cease their dishonor OF
3 Judge of the supreme court. An III
D utterable contempt for him sweI
y over her. Didn't the man know TIL
was for her fathers honor?
She looked at Merle Adams II
" was standing little apart from III
crowd. On his strong. young fac
: was an expression OF quiet satisfa
}, ton. She saw him raise his hand
an almost imperceptlble gesture. 1
/. stantly the regular. rhythmic clackin
the base of sound on which the u
roar was built, ceased. The lighte
y miscellaneous hootings continued Il
a moment and time died away.
!. Merle Adams raised his eyes to II
!. gallery, Cecilia was leaning far ov'
the railing. He read the look on h,
,. face and the message OF her sudden
d outstretched hands. Across the mt
o OF excited. gesticulating politician
g he sent the answer to her messae
D. pushed his way through the CROW
and ran up the gallery stairs.