Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-12-02

-. 1890
copsia eat 2'' @s"
expenses required BY rebuilding I'M
der the old or new franchise, and that
ten million has us by the throat"
ut should be easy for five hundred
millions to freeze out ten" said
Rutherford.
Under other circumstances It would
not be at all difficult" answered Hal
dane; "but the people are to be con-
sidered In this case. This road was
built as a public convenience and,
gentlemen, it, has to be run
This is a hell Of fix for men as
smart as you to git yourselves in"
said Liffey. "As | take it, we can
secure the franchise or we can make
its future grant the issue of the cam
paign; and If we win, pass it then;
and If we fail, take our medicine"
You've stated it exactly"
For myself, I'm in favor of grab
bling the franchise now" said the
boss. 1t means money. Moneys
what we're here for. The object of
politics is money for the crowd that's
in The aim of the crowd that's out
Is to git in SO they can git the
money. With money we can buy
votes; with votes we can get office;
With Office and money we can get
immunity from the consequences.
| Even If we're beaten by the mayor,
| we'll still have the district attorney,
Wen still have the police force. I'll
| stiil be here; so will you, Mr., Hal
dane And therefore, rather'n take
| any risk, l move that the franchise be
| renewed as soon as 1t expires, and
| that the grant be made to the Gotham
| Freight Traction company. I'd rather
have something substantial than play
| for a chance any time. | guess we
wouldn't suffer any therefore, no mat
ter what happened. Besides, all it'd
mean would be wait for four years.
These reform movements always get
tired of themselves, and then one or
the other Of the old parties comes in.
Wen be the one"
II am inclined to believe that much
of Mr. Liffey's contention is sound"
said Van Slyke at last.
We'll, gentlemen" said Haldane
what do you all think about it?"
Let's get what we can" said the
mayor
And keep all we've got" added
| Connell.
Very well then" said Haldane, "sc
be 1t. We are united upon a non
| partisan ticket which we can select
presently. With Warren at the heat
| Of it. Mr. Liffey will see Mr.. Benson
and induce his cooperation. Mr.. Con
nell will investigate Mr.. Gormly''
career Mr. Rutherford win arrange
to have the franchise renewed as sooI
as It is possible to do so, Mr. War
rem will at once announce himself a
a candida ze for reelection. Messrs
Liiay, Habberley, and Connell will
got thei- foIces IN line. And thinl
that's ALL"
mot quite, Mr. Haldane," said Lii
fey.
What else?"
You'll git the barrel open for tn
|
( paign?"
quite So" said Haldane, dryl!
You may depend upon us to do wha
Is proper; Ell, gentlemen"
Van Slyke and Mcdonald nodded.
Il think we've done pretty goo
nights work" said the district alto
= ney, rising to his feet.
Z |
f must fix up the slate first, and tht
p will be all /"
a 1t was a half-hour later when I'll
. last one departed from the hous
Haldane was quite aware Of the co
ditions under which his fortune VIZ
being increased and his power exten
!, ed He had been brought in coltG
u with the naked reality of the stu
y ton a great many times; but
c seemed to him that never before h;
p it presented itself IN so hideous al
:, unattractive guise as on that nigl
: The flnancieT was hardened His CO
science, while keenly alive in 9th
N directions, in matters concerning pc
tics and the people was scared e.
indurated. But what had been ga
and what he had discussed that mig
had sickened him.
Haldane felt quite lonely, quite o
as he sat there IN the small hours
the morning, his cigar gone Of
lnusing over the situation. He pull
himself together at last. The bait
was not lost. The enemy had not VIC
and before that came about the
would be a struggle which would b.
gar description. The cards seemed
be in his hands, or IN the hands of
ring of which he was chief No me
experienced players ever sat at
game than those associated with hi
They ought to win; but would the
Haldane was by no means certain
CHAPTER x.
The Volce Of the People Is Hear
G0rDlty'Q refusal in accent the