Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-10-23

Il was OF Mr.. DaYlQ Kerr jim NC
Minitry liked to pose before the pub
lie and 10 make famboyant speeches.
Kerr preferred to sit in his dingy real
estate Office and pull the strings that
made the puppets dance. To him
speech making and posing were like
the tinsel on q drum majors uniform.
He cared only for power, it was i'm
material to him how gaudy glory was
apportioned.
1t looks like he's got you il bad.
Dave" said the senator. I don't see
how I can help you this trip"
Kerr slowly set down his glass Of
water and Strengthened up in his
chair, for he knew that the deal was
now under way He had played fair
with jim McMinftry and told him just
the exact situation.
Lots O. things can happen, Jim.
I've decided to get his paper, but I
need votes. It's too close to election.
You amt going to let him play you
for q sucker. We've got to clean him,
or he'll turn on you just as ne has
on me-"
Z guess ! ought to wait till he
does" was the cautious response.
I've got enough troubles without 60
ing out and Iassoing q young grizzly
bear"
He amt got 10 party" urged Kerr.
and you know how it happens in
them towns where such a paper gifts
. start. He's got these fools in Bel
mont believing he's George Washing
ton come to life again"
I'm sorry for you, Dave, but hon
estly / don't see where I can help
Out any. It would give me too black
an ey=, because the boys here have
set their hearts on winning this time"
Kerr saw that McMinitry was fore
ing his hand, and he decided TO ap-
proAch the situation from another
side.
The next legislature Ii elect your
SUCCESSOR he suggested
I'm going to be my own success
sor," asserted the senator.
"it's going to be a hot fight" con-
tinued Kerr. unmindful Of hcMini-
try'g remark THE state will swing
back to our party, but nobody knows
how the legislature Il be on joint bal
lot"
It's going to be for me if I eaa
have anything to say about It."
Well, you don't seem to be going
about it very actively" retorted Kerr
with the nearest approach to sarcasm
he permitted himself during the inter
view Even if the legislature is con-
/ trOlled by your party, you've got 8
| fight on your hands. There's Con
gresham Jenkinson and old man Ora
ham down in Washington County.
| He'a almost as strong as you are, and
his part of the state amt had no rec
! ognition for a long time"
McAIinitry did not answer at once.
/ He got up from the table and walked
to the window. When at last he
turned to Kerr the question had been
gone over thoroughly in his mind.
We'll. Dave" he asked with smile,
what's the answer"
You've got to knife your ticket,
! SOS these fool reformers can't carry
Belmont"
ssWhat'd I get out of it," drawled
out the senator.
Seven votes in the house and two
in the senate"
Again the apostle of practical poll
tics sat back and took stock of the
situation. Belmont was nothing to
him. 1t mattered nothing at al to
him how the town went as far as city
affairs were concerned. Nine votes
were not to be despised. He was eau
tious, however, and wanted particu-
lars.
How you going to deliver?" he
asked.
We've got that many to run this
fail and I'll let the opposition have il
their own way Name your men now
if you want to-"
That many's bound to make the
legislature ours on joint ballot"
Kerr knew this, but he was quite
willing to change the political com
pIexion Of the legislature of a great
state, perhaps hamper the governor
in wise and necessary legislation and
keep the state from having a senator
Of its own choice, all to hold Belmont
for his own. McMinitry was no less