The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-18

''Clean hands or not, Mr.. McAdOo."
Martin exclaimed lmpulsiveIy, IA
rather fight under you than under any
other man in the country
He went away wondering at the new
ncAdoo he had found.
Others. too. saw and wondered For
there was new McAdoo indeed. The
lesson had sunk deep. kathleen.
watching closely. in real dread lest
with returning strength the old spirit
should return. saw that the change
was complete and permanent The
old Bob. arrogant. self aggrandiZing.
hard lay dead amid the fragments OF
his shattered self god. Something
more Kathleen saw that he bore the
burden OF profound sorrow and
shame.
None the less. however. his old GER
tainty and fOrcefuIness remained with
him. as his enemies soon discovered.
And his was no easy task. to keep
his peoples interest in him and his
work at effective heat. He had need
of popular support. The old corrupt
methods were forever discarded.
His enemies had much material with
which to work. Although he had been
elected. they had succeeded in elect
ing slight majority in the city coun-
ellis. Their forces were carefully or
ganized to fight him. Yet the advan-
tage was all with Bob. for Sanger's
ring, bound only BY the ties of self
interest. must needs foster many cor
rupt measures in the city's legislature.
Bob. looking only to the peoples needs.
was free to veto these mea sureS. Ea n
successive election saw his organiza-
ton. both in his party and in the city
government. become stronger.
Nor were Bob's political activities
confined to the Steel City. Murchell.
although he amazed his friends aud
physicians by the tenacjty with viii
he held on to life. grew steadily weak
or. Under his guidance Rob and Dun
meade together fought against the
railroad steel interests. with whom the
open break had at last come. 1t was Il
tremendous struggle that stirred the
commonwealth to its uttermost limits.
Bob's part in the state campaign took
him often to the capital, where he was
received frankly into the beautiful
home life Of the governors family.
Sometimes he found himself alone
with Mrs. Dunmcade. From her he
received his only news Of Eleanor Gil
bert during all those long months
You have Ars. Glbert's addIessT'
he asked abruptly one evening when.
after long conference. they had in
duced him to remain overnight at the
capital.
Eyes. She is in New York doing set
Element work. From her letters
know that in her work, the first real
work she has ever had, even though it
= small. she is happier than ever be-
fore"
I'm glad she is happy. Will you
write to her." be added immedia tely.
''that we have found no trace Of Paul
Remington. hut that l am still search
ing" Mrs. Dunmeade did not ask
why he himself should not write.
"Fhis-- was just before the famous
gas franchise war; which finally
gave Bob's enemies into his hands.
The Steel City's homes were dependent
for heat upon natural gas. supplied by
q company operating under an exclu-
sive franchise from the city. This
franchise provided for an extortionate
maximum charge. the enforcement of
which had worked great hardship on
the consumers. but when the McAdOo
administration was year old the
monopoly's rights had almost expired
and an extension under the old terms
was demanded by the gas company.
Bob Immediately in public message
declared that be would oppose the ex-
tension unless 1t provided for rea-
sonable rate to the consumer His
message was hailed with huzzas by
the long suffering pubic.
Macpherson led the fight for the Or
dinance. His genius for corruption.
never so shamefully brilliant. was CIV
en- free play. The measure passed
both houses of councils.
When it was presented to Bob for
approval he vetoed it with clear ex.
PLANTATION of his reasons for 50 doing.
The bill was reintroduced into coun.
ellis in the hope OF securing the two
thirds majority necessary to pass it
over the mayors veto.
The councilmen found themselves be-
tween two hot fires On the one hand
was MACPHERSON. and the mayor saw
more than one supposedly stanch fol-
lower caught in his enemy's net. On
the other hand was Bob-with the pe0-
pie awakened to a fury of indignation.
The tale is told that during the night
and day preceding the final reading Of
the ordinance Macpherson kept his
councilmen secretly locked together in
an obscure hotel away from the in
nuence of the crowds On the hour Of
the councils meeting they were quiet
~ marched to their chamber in BODY,
guarded by MACPHERSON in person.
When they reached the council
chambers those reueGadeS must have
trenbied. Every avali;ib Bile inch OF
space in the spectators gallery was
packed by indignant citizens. Over
the gallery significant fact! = hung