Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-09-06

z%*e;
Now. sir" said Gormly, you sec
what our masters the people think.
They wish me to put to you a cues
ton. II such a measure comes be-
fore you, will you veto it or will you
not?"
The mayor was In a dilemma, q
fearful one. He was quick enough to
soc that his whole political future.
the future Of his party. practically de-
pended upon his action. II he did not
declare his purpose to veto the bill. ho
and his party were doomed. II he
TOOK some other course, they would
still have = lighting chance. The
mayor rose to the occasion.
"Gentlemen," he said, my action
shall be dictated by yourselves
Answer! Answer! No speech!"
reared the crowd.
Every man Is entitled to hin
chance" said Gormly. and I beg you
70 hear"
II will pledge you my word" con.
e1nued the mayor, that so far as I
have power the issuance Of this fran
ch1se shall be determined by the cleo
eion. II am 50 fortunate as to re-
ceive a majority, I shall take 1t as q
eign that you indorse the policy which,
with IN eye single to the public inter-
est, believes that It demands tho
granting Of this franchise to the
Gotham Freight Traction company,
which has already served you so we'll.
II on the contrary, my distinguished
opponent shall prevail, the matter will
be left for his determination"
You won't sign the bill If it comes
to you then!" asked some one in the
crowd.
II will not, and will use what influ.
ence I have to see that it is not pre-
scented to me-" was the answer.
Nothing" said Gormly, could be
kairer than that The Issue is clearly
and sharply drawn. II you want to
perpstuate the power of the Gotham
Freight Traction company, you have
only TO re-elect the present mayor. II
you want to resume your own control
of affairs. you have only to elect me.
don't ask you now which it shall be.
4 don't want any more cheering. I
want you to 60 to your homes and go
10 work. Good night"
He sank down In tho automobile.
covered with Precipitation and trem-
bling with nervous excitement.
Amid tumultuous cheering and ap.
plauding, the crowd opened q limo
through which the big automobile
SLOWLY moved over toward Broadway
and then sped upward through tho
night.
Cornell turned to the mayor. shall
drive these dogs out Of the square7
Curse emf" he cried.
Nothing would have suited tho
mayor better; but policy would not
permit
NO." he said, "just picket the ap-
proaches to the city hall. Let the peo-
pie alone. They will dispense now"
Indeed they were already beginning
70 break away.
well. you've gone and done it now,
for sure" said Cornell, giving the nee
essary orders. "Unless you get cleo
ted, the Gotham Freight Traction COM
pany's busted"
'Were all busted as you say" said
Warren gloomily, unless I am
elected"
The mayor turned away and walked
into the city hall. Rutherford met
him at the door,
II want to congratulate you, he
said, ION your course"
do you approve Of it,"
"Approve! It was the nerviest sort
of thing for you to do but the only
= thing. That damned Gormly had you
dead to rights; but you took the wind
out of his Sails"
Il don't know" answered the mayor,
nervously. What will Liffey and Ben.
son and the rest say?"
II don't know" returned Ruther.
ford; but whatever they say, it was
the only thing on Gods earth to do
and they ought to be glad that you
had the nerve to do 1t. Now, we've
got to win the election"
Eyes," said the mayor; but how7'
Outside the city hall slender, quiet
but shrewd looking man edged hit
way carefully through the rapidly dis
persing crowd until he caught sight
of Cornell standing on the steps
scowling at the multitude, black rage
In his heart.
"Well," said the chief, a. tho mar
came close to him, "any news?"
II have a clue" was the answer.
"Come in here!" said the chief, lay
Ing his hand on the other mans shout
der, and In his excitement and eager
ness almost Jerking him into the citl
hall
CHAPTER XL
Mics Haldane Listens to Declaration