The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-05-19
A Political Story of Today
By 4. Bart Horton


just as the merchant has a stock in trade. I have
never yet, however, sold that influence where I
thought that it would really cause distress to
any single individual or to the public. There
are times when the public demanded or thought
they demanded certain measures that might prove
beneficial to them. As practical man I have
always weighed the question, and have found out
n most cases that those benefits did actually
exist. 1t has been my experience that practical
politician, well versed in municipal and public al
ralrs who IS comparatively honest, can give the
people a far better administration than the
age business man. Why who would make the
politician dishonest, if it were not for the temp
tatIOns thrown in his path by the business man
or corporation who desires some special measure
and who 10 time and trouble goes to the
political leader to gain his end"
This IS quite dissertation on politics. Mr.
White. but I good and sore. Jim Treadway
has been one Of the few men that l have admired
and respected, and he has ability sufficient to
make him one Of the big men in our country, and
yet dirty crook the tool Of you, Gordon, gets
him. just left Jim Treadway's room, over at
the Northern Hotel He called me by phone
l went into the room I scarcely knew him His
face plainly showed that he had passed through
an ordeal Of the most severe manner When he
shook hands with NE l was shocked. That firm,
manly Jim Treadway grip, so well known which
always makes it q pleasure TO shake hands with
him, was gone. He threw his hand over my shout
der and said IN that trembed with agitation:
They have reached me at last, George"
What are you talking about, Jim? What's
the matter with you5'
The I. x L. people have gotten me. You
know I have fought for this two cent bill both
IN committee and in every other way, despite
their overtures and their threats They could
not reach personally but the dirty crooks
went after my boy. | sent for you to tell you
this much, George, but I too upset TO talk
any more about It. Go over and ask Tom Cor
don the story he will tell It to you"
4 saw that It was best to leave him alone,
and ! an over here now TO hear the details"
General Manager W "A
auditor 20 these remarks said. "Mr Wells. ever
since ! left college ! have been 4 railroad man
and have had little 20 DO with politics. We West
ern railroad men have had about all that we could
attend 70 II building up and managing our roads,
without paying much attention 20 the political
end Of Il. We have had our legislative fights,
but that end Of Il was usually looked after by
our Eastern capitalists. ! went 70 college with
your lin Treadway, in fact he was one Of my
chun1s there. and he had the reputation Of being
one q the sQuarest men II college. l knew him
70 be the soul Of honor have not heard Ii
-ectly from him or seen him for years I knew
that he was in your Legislature here. What's
The story Of this deal, Gordon"
Gordon answered: Meyers IS probably out
OF course you know, Mr.. White, that we some
times have Z pretty rocky road 20 travel men
come here opposed 70 railroads and corporations,
without any good reason for II. excepting
stubborn prejudice and it has been Up TO Us 70
overcome this prejudice Sometimes we are able
g DO Il through argument. more often through
financial consideration. once in while
compelled 20 adopt other means"
White nodded. 81 understand. Get Meyers"
Gordon went out and returned with short
heavy-set man, whose frank and open counte-
nance was somewhat n1arred by eyes that were
small and fox-like. Meyers this is Mr. White
the new General Manager OF our road. Mr. Wells
you know Mr.. Meyers IS one Of my assistants.
Joe, I want 70 tell these gentlemen the complete
history Of this Ireadway deal"
All right Nj. Gordon, you viii remember
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