Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-26
CHAPTER XXXVII-Continuet

CIIAI En- AAA v NIl-NsOIltIuuc
TT JERRY ARCHER had been able to
i sit up and read Mr.. Buckingham's in
terview. he would have done so with an
ironic smile, and have pronounced it a
gem. 1t reflected Mr.. Buckingham so
But there was another interview
which furnished material for much of
what was published that morning. 1t
came from Victor Robinson, and by no
remarks. The lawyer was too skillful
strategist for this--and in the midst
of all his other concerns. he had taken
time to think of strategy. That which
of personal tragedy, but an incident
in a political contest. and Victor's care
was to see that the events were not
To- be interpreted to the disadvantage
ment in Philadelphia. as represented by
the Real Republican organization.
But. along with this subtler kind of
campaign publicity were printed bold.
tain of the reporters questions answers
that constituted ringing personal chal-
lenge of the man himself to Bucking-
ham, and made it plain to all that over
lawyer took up the fight where Jerry
had laid II down. as, for instance:
why did Jerry Archer come to the
office of Buckingham" ran the question
a
moned there" replied Victor Robinson,
fatty. "ih one last effort. to coerce him
into ceasing his political activities.
Perceiving that he had failed in this,
Mr. Buckingham had made a cool pro-
posal for a political alliance which
Archer had Indignantly rejected A
quarrel resulted. Once more the two
men defied each other. Jerry accused
Mr. Buckingham of being bad citizen.
bad influence in the community, and
pf
The lawyer explained that he knew
these facts because he had encountered
Jerry in front of the Offices and was
listening to his story of, the interview
when the assault had interrupted it.
This statement not only put Bucking
ham in a bad light; but it lent the
touch Of fine magnanimity to Jerry's
act of heroism.
This narrative, too. Of Jerrys last
political and. personal differences with
buckingham. made the advent OF Ruth
into the scene of the tragedy the more
heroic, Just as the love story tinged the
whole affair with a rose-glamour of ro-
nance that redeemed the situation from
much of its sordidness.
In consequence of all these things;
Philadelphia had read with unusual
avidity, and demanded more. To meet
this demand for more, afternoon editions
of the papers were being offered while
yet the late commuters were stepping
from their trains.
with more sinking of the heart than
those hundreds of small ward and
division leaders of the Real Republican
organization. Some of these humble
in openly fighting the old political or
ganizations: They had ventured upon
this campaign at personal sacrifice. and
had not gone forward without misgN-
ings.. Their security lay in victory.
lost at the polls, not only were, their
sacrifices in vain, but they would face
more than the ignominy of defeat.
The contacts in society at the bottom
are very close; the edicts of displeas-
ure which it issues are drastic and In,
stantly enforceable. Not these small
leaders only. but their wives and chill
dren. as well as their friends and fol-
lowers. would be made to suffer. Ostra-
cism and petty persecution would be
among the milder forms which such
punishment would take.
Indeed. this matter of the possibility
of defeat was the place at which the
point of view of the rank and file diff
fered from the point Of view of the
leader. Jerry was willing to sustain
a few early defeats in order to make
sure in the long run of conclusive
victory. But not so these workers in
the front line trenches, to- whom every
battle was. in a flgurative sense, a
matter of death or manning for some
Of them. They must win, Their one one
the papers frankly despaired of Jerry's
life wherefor. these division workers
were despondent and angry.
IF Archer dies: well hang that Jew
TO trolley pole If we have to blow up
desperate division leader to another.
shut up!'' said the other. You talk
Ike k9,. one Of the old gang. We're law
supposed to be-" subsided the other
| rather regretfully.
On this day of days the executive
ganization was also in session. The
session was almost prayer-meeting.
how how helpless these strong men men felt wi with
suddenly extracted from their councils.
But stoutly they tried 10 reason with the
worst; If Jerry lived nothing could pre-,
if he died well. il he died, the circum-
stances of his death defined the issues
as nothing else could have done. and
there was Victor Robinson, different
| type from Jerry, not as hearted
not as winning in his way. but a cold,
wrathful fighter. who dealt sedge-ham-
% mer' blows; blows; and with Jerrys organiza- :
@ followed % to the % death. ''''" &c
He was Archer's candidate" they
| said talking mournfully, one to another
and trying to reconcile themselves to
candidate" others interjected. "The
fellows down the line swear by him.
They wouldn't fight half as hard for
anybody else. Take a poll today and
you'll get just thirteen hundred votes
for Archer and about ten for scatter
/ ing 81
f'But we can't nominate a dying man"
They would. Let 'em vote, and they
| would"
The executive committee adjourned
without taking any action. but there
could not be many such futile meetings
and adjournments. The eve Of the cam.
paign was at hand. Within a week the
machine list of candidates for the pri
mary would be announced, and theil
election-drive launched with rush, fol
the old organization despite the vigorou.
skelping II had endured, was still intac
and clinging tenaciously to its posi-
tions. .
On this day It was brutally elated. 4
party organization which has employed
| mol n heat and hruiSe and i'm