Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-13

manded attention by tapping his eye
glasses on the sheets.
Here's the program for the routine:
Called to order at 1870 by chairman
of state committee. Call read by sec
rotary. On motion of Davis Bolton of
Hollis proceed to effect temporary or
ganization-Senator Walker Pownal,
chairman-and so forth. On motion of
Parker Blake of Jay ten minutes re-
cess declared for county delegations to
choose vice president, member of state
committee and member of the commit
tee on resolutions"
AS he read on Harlan opened his
eyes as well as his ears. The conven-
ton of the morrow had been blocked
out to the last detail. Every motion
that was to be made, every step that
was to be taken, had its man assigned
to it, and that man had already been
notified and tagged. Fifteen hundred
men, assembled presumably as free
and independent agents to take coun-
sci for the good of the party, were
here bound to the narrowest routine,
with program cut and dried to such
an extent that one who dared to lift
his voice to interrupt would be consid
cred an interloper. And he knew that
even then, from what Presson had
said, the little band of the select were
formulating the resolutions that the
committee would take in hand as de-
hvered, accepting that platform as the
dictum of the party, and free speech
on the convention floor denied.
Now" said the chairman at the
close, ''let's fill in the rest and finish
II
be presented by Watson of his county
and seconded by three other counties.
I'm limiting the seconding speeches to
three. And you know the men Everett
has picked out. OF course I've left
the-the big matter in your own hands.
Thelismer." Presson glanced over his
glasses at General Weymouth with a
significant smile.
Have you decided? Are you going
to let both the other candidates be put
in nomination before YOU spring the
trap?"
Sure" snapped Thornton. 81 want
that convention TO realize how little
good can be said of either of them. By
the time that gets through those fif-
teen hundred skulls they'll be in a
state of mind to appreciate the man of
the hourI"
General Weymouth was leaning back
In his deep chair, his head ON the rest,
his eyes upturned to the ceiling, fingers
tapping the chairs arm. He was offer
ing no comment
Ward" said the duke, we've got to
let a few more into the case now.
Overnight is short notice at that for a
man to get his nominating speech
ready. But we're safe. 1t won't be
the speech that will take that conven-
ton off its feet. It'll be your name
and the fact that you're willing to
stand. Who've you got in mind?"
mo one" replied the general briefly.
ANY choiceT'
mo"
You're willing to leave it to me?"
81 am"
"Then I'll admit I've picked the men
in my mind. One is Linton, that young
lawyer that's been taking the lead in
the referendum and the direct prima-
ries campaigns-both of them poor po-
litical policies, but that doesn't prevent
him from being the most eloquent
young chap in the state And he'll tole
along the liberals. Wen need only
one other-that's old Colonel wads-
worth. Now, Harlan, you go out and
those tWO SeulleIueu ana DIlQS
them here quietly. They're in the ho-
tel. Come to the private door there
You say you haven't suggestions,
Vard?"
Not now" said the general, not
shifting his position 1.-The time for
my suggestions has not come yet"
Harlan went out into the throng,
searching, asking questions. He did
not find either of his men in the Hon.
David Everett's headquarters. The
rooms were packed Perspiring dele
gates were edging in and oozing out
Two men crowded past Harlan talking
low. but in that press their mouths
were near his ear They were halted
by the jam at the door.
what did you stab him for-how
much -. asked one
Got ten,' said his comprehension
on account i get fifty for the eau
cus.r
'.Too many machine Republicans in
my town, and he knows it," said the
other. 1.-The best could do was fool
him ont of twenty-five. But that's do
ing well-in these times
Harlan took one more look at the
unconscious and fatuous Everett and
went out Of the room. Twenty feet
away, as he knew, sat his grandfather
ready and able TO smash the candi-
dates dreams and chances as child
bursts a soap bubble And the mans
money 4throWn to the winds when y