The Washington times., 1911-05-14

does his pennies
A man had been found who had al
least a speaking acquaintance with me
and plans already set vn foot to rounC
| ME up.
! was inclined at first to treat thi.
| new development as a Joke. But a.
Rafferty, talked on he set me to think.
ing. l didn't know anything about the
merits OF the two present candidates
but was strongly prejudiced to believe
that the Democratic candidate. on gen.
eial principles. was The worst one.
However quite apart frcm this, wasn't
Rafferty, today a batter citizen than l?
Even admitting for the sake of argu-
nlent that sweeney was crook, wasn't
itanerty' who was trying his humble
best 10 get him elected a better Ameri-
can than ! who was willing 10 sit down
passlyely and allow him TO be elected ?
Ratterty at any rate vas getting into
the nGht. His motive may nave been
selfish. but l think his interest really
sprang first from an instictive desire
TO get into the game.
Here he had come to 4 new country
where every man had not only the
chance to mix with the affairs of the
ward, the city. the State. the nation.
but also 4 good chance to make himself
leader In them. Sweeney himself was
an example.
. For twenty-five years OF more Rafrer-
tvs Countrymen had appreciated this
opportunity ior power and gone after
1t. The result everyone knows. Their
victory in city politics at least had been
so decisive year after year that the
native Dorn had practically la1d uvwn
his arms as l mad.
And the reason tor this perennial VIC
tory lay in Just this fact that men like
I.duerty were Dusy from The time they
landed and men like me were laziy in-
different.
Three months before, a dozen speak
ers couldn't have made me see this. ]
hao no American spirit back Of me then
To make ne appreciate II. You might
better nave lalAed 10 sleepy RUSSIAN
Jew Week off The steamer.
He at least would have sensed the
sacred power for liberty which the vo-
lIng. privilege bestows.
l began 10 ASK questions of Rafferty,
about the two men. He didn't know
he was 'agln honest labor and tool OF
the thrusts." But on Sweeney he grew
eloquent.
Sure" he said. There's a mon after
ye own heart, me bly,. Faith he's dug
In bitches himself. an he knows wot a
full dinner pail names"
What his bustnesss" | asked.
"A contraction, he said. He does big
Jobs for the city,"
He let himselt loose on what Sweeney
10 do for the ward If elected.
He would have the Government under !
AXE the dredging OF the harbor, there
1y giving hundreds of jobs to the local
men. He would do this thing and thai :
all of which had for their object ap- |
just that one goal.
1t was a direct personal appeal to I,
every man toller. In addition to this, !
Rafferty, let drop a hint or two that /
Sweeney had jobs in his own business !
which he filled discreetly from the
anks of the wavering. /
1t wasn't more than a month later.
,y the way, that Rafferty, himself was |
appointed a foreman in the firm of
sweeney Brothers.
But apart from the merits of the
question, the thing that Impressed me
vas Rafferty's earnestness, the delight
lie took in the contest itself, and his
He was very much disappointed when
told him I wasn't even registered in /
he ward, but he made me promise to
Ook after that as soon as the lists were
gain opened and made an appointment
or the next evening to take me round
o a rally to meet the boys.
I went and was escorted to the home
# the Sweeney Club. 1t was a good
through the heavy blue smoke which
Illed the room l saw the walls deco
ated with American flags and the
ramed crayon portraits of Sweeney and
ther local politicians.
Large duck banners proclaimed IN
lack ink the current catch lines Of the
ampaign. At one end there was a
aised platform. the rest of the room
vas filled with wooden settees. My first
impression of IT all was anything but
avorable. 1t looked rather tawdry and
heap.
The men themselves who filled the
Dom were pretty tough-looking specl-
aens. I noticed a few Italians of the
at class and one or two sharp-1aceo
ews, but for the most part these men
yere the cheaper element or the second
nd third generation.
They were the loafers-the ward heel
rs. 1 certainly felt out Of place among
hem and to me even RAFFERTY, looked
ut of place. There was freshness, a
ulk about him. that his fellows here .
idn't have. ,
AS he showed his big body through the (
rowd they greeted him by his first
anne an oath or a joke and he beamed /;
ack at them all with broad wave OF !
Is hand. It was evident that he was
IAN of some Importance here. {
He worked a passage for me to the ]
ont of the hall and didn't stop until
e reached a group of about dozen
len who were all putting away at
gars In the midst of them stood
an of about Raffertys size in frame,
1t fully fifty pounds heavier. He had /
quiet, good-natured face. II
On the whole 1t was strong face
lough a bit heavy. His eyes were
-erywhere. He was the first to notice !
afferty. He fNlded with a familiar ,
Hello, DAN !
Dan seized my arm and dragged me !
rward: !
"I want We to meet me frind, Mister I
arleton." he said. =
OF This Story VIII Be
Found I'm Tomorrow Issue
Of The Tfmes.D
y