The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-02-27
HIS RISE
POWER
By Henry Russell Miller,
Author Of
1.-The Man Higher Up''
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The biennial election OF = staIe treas
urer was at hand. There appeared to
John one day a plausible gentleman
who discussed the troubled waters. He
was In state Of righteous indignation
Murchelrs domination had continued
too long! Patience with his tyrannica
ways has ceased to be virtue. His
unftness had been proved by his
breach Of contract to ~ Sherrod sue
coed Beck. And he. the messenger,
was glad to say. in confidence. that
those able and distinguished patriots
and leaders. Mark Sherrod and Phi
lander Parrot, were organizing a re-
volt and proposed to make the treas
urership nomination test of strength.
And they had commissioned him to
urge that other able. ETC.. John Dun
meade. the man who had clicked
Murchell in his own back yard" to
Join the reform. He was deeply hurt
when John refused.
Haig. who also had made New Chel-
sea his legal residence. invented sun
dry lurid epithets to describe Johns
folly and urged reconsideration. John
ah0Ok his head.
But l thought you wanted to put
4urchell out of business?''
mot MurcheI. I've grown past
that I'm rather sorry for him just
now. And I'd rather have him run
things than Sherrod. It's the in
stitution we've got to destroy-as he
told me himself once Nothing's gained
II we substitute one boss for another"
Then what are you going to do. my
destructive friend?'
TRY to slip in between them,
think-put up an independent candi-
date"
John made his campaign. When the
primaries had been held. he was him
self astonished to discover that nearly
. quarter of the delegates chosen were
pledged to his Independent candidate.
But before daylight on the night be-
fore the convention John learned that
he had been used to draw delegates
from Murchell for Sherrod's purpose;
he saw his band dwindle to faithful
handful.
When the convention met, Sherrod
was In control After the preliminaries
John. answering to the roll call Of
counties, placed his candidate in nomi-
nation In speech that could hardly
be heard for jeers and catcalls. It
was brought to an abrupt conclusion
by a yell from the gallery. ''Sit down.
sonny. Only money talks in this con-
vention"' Even the delegates joined
In the roar of laughter And then the
coup was accomplished. The PARROT
Sherrod candidate was withdrawn and
sherrod himself substituted. Amid
confusion that amounted almost to a
riot he was nominated.
A n0npartisau candidate was put up
that fan. JOHN and Jerry Brent were
most active in his support. They made
what was said to be remarka BILE
campaign. and In every county they
were met with tremendous enthusi-
asm. People docked BY thousands to
hear them and cheered themselves
Aoarse as the young orators excoriated
the bosses. But on election day the
people marched to the polls. voted as
thay had always done and elected the
ed party ticket by a majority Of
more than 100000.
The campaign Fixed Johns place
firmly in the public mind. This place.
ana that a nro oficoi vpov uon11 no 10
thought twice before seeking. was won
at the cost Of much Of his buoyant
optimism. 1t almost cost him his life
also. A heavy cold contracted during
he last days Of the campaign eventu-
ally settled into a stubborn case OF
pneumonia. There were many anxious
1ays In the Dunmeade home. Nor was
Miss Roberta's anxiety unshared.
Through three consecutive nights
Hugh Dunmeade never sought his
couch. but kept constant vigil by his
sons bedside. listening ito the painful
breathing and. without protest. to the
reproaches of an inner voice. When
the Christmas holidays arrived John
was still confined to bis room.
That winter Senator Murchell varied
bis program by spending the congress
slonal recess at his legal residence.
And one Sunday morning he came
1hce to face with the Judge and Miss
Roberta in the vestibule Of the Presby
terrain church. It was the first meet
ing IN more than two years.
'sThe doctor tells me John ought to
% south and won't If it's on account
ef-er-money matters" the senator
looked carefully ont into the street,
sI'll be glad to help out"
'No. SIR the judge put In stif1y.
ri John needs money It is my right
% provide It," 1t had not occurred to
him before to exercise the right.
'.Stuff. said the senator. II know
how you're fixed, Hugh. You can't at
ford It. l can"
I'VE Dunmeades, Senator Murchell
don't accept charity from our politica
enemies"