Evening star., 1915-01-10

who was up for reelection. After they had received
their orders from Mcdonald they took the stump and
made the franchise the chief issue of their campaigns,
attacking it with bitter and anarchistic arguments.
Both were good takers, and dangerous when ad
dressing that type of audience fanarly known "the
common people Benton himself admitted this after
attending of their meetings and hearing them de-
nounce the Clifton Light & Power Company 3the
Shiny local octopus that reaching its tenta
c1es for prize that would enable it bleed the cit
Of Clifton for the next twenty years
Benton meditated over that metaphor as he started
back to his rooms. Then he chucked
Its not bad, at that" he solioquzed; "for when
perfectly good octopus attacked it throws ink And
that's what we're doing. But we're not throwing
enough. Well have to increase the supply.
By the time he was ready for bed he had conceived
idea whereby the ink supply could be increased and
used in the columns well as the advertising
columns of the papers. The following morning he put
it up to Latham.
aJack," he sad "you and the other business of
Clifton have got to take hand in this game now It's
the fight you've been wanting-the fight for civic
pride and decencv at the polls. Mcdonald appreciates
that fact, and he's got his spebinderS out to beat u.s.
It's up to you decent citizens to get busy
"You know mel said Latham grimly. @What do
you want me to do?'
Il want you to get up the biggest meeting that
has been held here Well advertise it as an open
meeting for the discussion of the franchise; but well
it into rally for clean politics and prosperity
Your Job is to be chairman of this meeting
TT took week of tireless activity on the part OF both
Benton and Latham to prepare for the meeting; but
the results than justified their efforts For the
newspapers pointed out the record breaking attendance
showed that the citizens OF Clifton had at last awakened
their civic duties and eager to vote inteigently
on matters in which they vitally interested.
1t the day following the mass meeting that
Benton first met Tom Mcdonald. The latter
standing in front of the Stanton Hotel talking with
Smith. the Herald reporter, and Benton along
the reporter beckoned him
"Mr. Mcdonald here wants to meet the chap who's
raising all the in Clifton was Smiths introduction.
As they shook hands Mcdonald swept Benton with
swift and appraising glance Then-his eyes twnkled
@Young fellow" he said, "you look too live for
forner!
Bruce laughed "I'm not a reforrner, Mr.. Mcdonald.
I'm business I'm just showing the people of
Clifton how they may become more prosperous" He
paused and looked critically at the big politician 3Do
you know, believe l could even show you
After a few more pleasantries he left them
Mcdonald looked after him thoughtfuly. 3What
shame he said length "he isn't practical
mass meeting was industriously followed up by
Benton. He had booths erected at two of the busiest
in the city Then he selected two of the bright
and best natured employees in the lighting company
and, after printing them with information concerning
the franchise, and equippng them with thousands OF
copies of it. got up in neat little booklets he stationed
them in these booths Their debut was heralded in the
following ad: