The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-12-07
CHAPTER VII-Continued

81 consider him the most dangerous
politician in the state
Dangerous? Because he IS not IN
your side?" She laughed again.
Henry Sanger believed himself sin
cere as he answered NO. Because OF
the II Of mar he is. He is the
most absolutely self centered, self
willed MAJ | know, He will listen to
no one else. He would sacrifice any
man or interest to forward his own
ambition. He is essentially a bully
He was the prize barroom bully Of his
neighborhood in his younger days. He
thrashed an eX-prizefghter, | believe.
and that gave him his start in politics.
AS n boss whose power Is continually
growing | consider him a menace to
this state. Bosses we must have. 1t Is
only through the boss that capital
holds the balance Of power against the
harebrained radicals infesting the
country. But the boss must be a mar
who will listen to reason and consider
others than himself"
THAT is. you demand bosses whom
you capitalists can boss|"
"And who has n better right to con.
troll than the men whose brains and in.
dustry and money have developed u
wealth." Sanger demanded holly.
But II the people can elect whom
they please l can't see Why
ooh, the people," Sanger broke in
disdainfully. "They can no more be
trusted with the industrial and fnan-
cial interests than can a mar like Nc
AdOo."
~ think" Mrs. Gilbert said-T think
l should like to go to the convention
with YOU Would it be proper"
We'll" Sanger said thouehtfully, at
won't be a very nice crowd. but
Then I'll go"
IF Eleanor Gilbert felt the many Gu
rious glances turned upon her as she
entered the box her brother had man
aged TO reserve for her she gave no
outward sign. but proceeded to study
the excited crowd with amused eyes.
Her sensitive nerves caught the con
tagion of excitement with which the
atmosphere was charged. Sanger saw
a tinge of color come to her usually
pale checks, and her eyes frightened
perceptibly. She caught him smiling
at her.
I'm glad came" she said brightly.
I'm excited already, just as though |
were a part of it all. l feel just as |
did when l was a little girl and my
goyerness took me to the play"
"Humph!' Sanger grunted. Look
over there in the box opposite. You
will find an interesting study"
\ group of men was just entering
the box. Eleanor Immediately fixed
her attention upon one, the last to en-
ter, whose identity she guessed at
once. AS was the case with most
people. her first impression was of his
physical strength.
It's the boss! What tremendous
shoulders!"
Bob sat down In the rear of the
box, but even seated he lowered above
his companions by half a head. and
Eleanor could note the strongly mark
ed face. Even across the theater she
could catch the cold, piercing glance
with which he swept the delegates.
The glance Travelled toward the box In
which she sat, met hers. and while
II might count ten, against her will,
his eyes held hers and then passed on
to the stage.
Eleanor leaned back and drew q
long breath. $50 that's your barroom
bully? | should hate to be In that
mans power. He is-relentless."
The convention was called to order.
A permanent chairman was chosen,
who after a brief speech declared the
meeting open for mayoralty nominal
lions. At ace a a sprang to his
feet and in a speech bristling with
high flown metaphors nominated that
clean man. that sterling friend of the
people, James Rushing" His speech
was greeted with perfunctory ap-
plause.
AS the applause died down another
man secured recognition.
"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen Of the
convention" he began. lit was to have
been my privilege to place before this
convention the name of William Hem
enway. whose devotion to the Repub-
lican party and to the interests of the
people needs no praise from me. 1t Is
therefore with the keenest regret l
have received from him a letter. which
l now hold. in which be gives me the
distressing news that he has been
stricken with Ill health. such as to In.
capacitate him for the arduous duties
of a campaign and Of the Office of
mayor. He therefore authorizes me
to withdraw his candidacy and re-
quests those delegates instructed for
him to cast their votes for the gentle
man who has been so %eloquently nomi.
mated. James Rushing"
For a moment the great crowd sat
In the silence of blank bewilderment.
Then as the import Of the announce