The Ordway new era., 1913-12-12

full she was her husband was not in
politics. Mrs. Hayes was quick to say
what she thought along the same line
by adding:
"And DR.. Hayes doesn't have to at
all. you know. He says he does 1t for
the good Of the party"
This would have been all very in
teresting to Kendall II he had had the
entire evening to spend in such pleas
ant company. Time was pressing,
however. and in the few minutes still
| at his disposal he wished to sound
| Wright at greater length about the
Belmont News.
Kendall looked closely at the young
man whom he had already set down
as an opponent. Physically Wright
seemed no shirker of combat. His
shoulders were broad and his body
well developed. Led to believe from
his knowledge of the reformer type
that he would find Joe Wright a long
haired theorist and Utopian dreamer.
| the lawyer found instead a self-pos-
sessed, wellbalanced young man. The
newspaper owners manner, even In
repose, was judicial. To kendalIs
thinking he had the air OF man who
would not be swayed by prejudice or
liking. 1t was his part. however. as
o special pleader, to make Wright
think himself too much an idealist--
if he could-in opposing the just
claims Of the stock-yard company.
II suppose you found the News
somewhat run down when you took
hold of it," Kendall remarked casually.
| Eyes, the name was about all
bought"
| "T thought the paper had a pretty
good mechanical plant" interjected
Gilbert
Instinctively Wright felt the con-
certed action masked under the inno-
cent question and the remark by Gil
bert. Just what Kendall had to gain
he did not know, but since he recog-
nized him as representative OF large
interests he thought best to let him
know what stand the News might be
expected to take. 1t was just as well
that Gilbert should have it clearly in
mind also. If the clients Of these men
were playing the game fair and
square they would welcome his kind
of newspaper. II they weren't, and
Wright knew there had been lapses
from grace on the part OF some OF
them. he hoped they would recognize
in the paper the power which would
first seek to prevent, and. falling in
this, then try to correct. Judge GIL.
bert's allusion to the good mechanical
plant he seized upon for text
That's true, the News has a good
mechanical plant" He paused to let
that sink in before he continued.
| Somehow or other when think of
newspaper never think Of that side
of it | have in mind only the feel
ing Of confidence with which news.
paper inspires ih readers"
"What do you think the ideal news
paper is like?" asked Judge Gilbert.
He wanted to 1aow to what kind Of
star tiis young man had hitched bis
wagon.
"The ideal newspaper is one which
has no az to grind. and no personal
animus in the discussion Of private af-
fairs or public questions. but only a
constant regard for the truth and the
lasting welfare OF the state"
Kendall went to what he considered
the heart OF the matter.
Aren't you leaving out of consid'
Grafton. Mr.. Wright, that everything
this government, events but COM
promise?"
| mo, l recognize that, and believe
in compromise. Without.it we would
still be cave dwellers. 1t is exactly
because of this everpresent compro-
mise that an honest newspaper is SO
| tn hat
compromise is open and above board.
1t mustn't be the give-and-take trade
of low politicians in the back room OF
a saloon or the far more dangerous
trades of men higher up and powerful
interests; not that kind of compro-
mise, which after all is a sale Of some
thing one does not legally own to one
who cannot or will not secure 1t hon
estly l tell you that the majority
must rule fairly and with proper
Difference for the rights of the minor
ity, that's where a newspaper can be
of service"
Having decided to deliver broad
side, Wright had, gone about 1t with
great enthusiasm. The sight OF Mrs.
Hayes gazing wonderingly at him, for
she did not understand what he
meant, caused the editor to break on
with a laugh. He recognized that
Judge Gilbert,s drawing-room was not
the proper place for lengthy exposi-
tion of his views.
| I'm afraid I'm preaching" he apol-
ogized, "and there's nothing | hate
more than that"
Not at ALL" protested Kendall
your views interest me greatly, Mr.,
Wright. When come again am 60
ing to see how far along you are on
the road to the ideal"
With this Kendall announced that
he must be going, and made his