The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-09-26

LOW y III t4S SNNiN 80 --'N--SS
tardy debtors.
A couple of years at that sort OF
hing and Curtis was admitted to the
bar. 1t had been necessary, mean
while. to have him declared a citizen.
Indian blood inherited from his moth
er had given him membership in the
Kaw tribe.
Curtis became member Of a Re-
publican CLUB, as his first dip into
politics. He marched in professions
that were frequent in those days. He
wasn't an orator but he had an all
absorbing interest in politics. He
never wondered what his own pre-
cinct would do, he found out by a
personal talk with most Of the voters
in it. After a while that knowledge
of conditions was extended to include
the ward. Of course, the next step
was to ascertain conditions in the
city.
That involved a tremendous
amount of work. But work and the
young lawyer were the closest OF
friends. And Curtis even then had
developed characteristic that has
been a big factor in keeping him In
public life. He knew every one OF
any consequence in town. And ne
knew lot Of people who were not OF
the consequential sort. As Jockey
every one had known him. He added
to that a iuaintance as cab driver.
His appearances in justice court add
ed to his list OF friends and even as
a bill collector he met people VINO
liked him. Not only did these peo-
pie give him information but a sur
prisingly large number were fond Of
him. And so Curtis was equipped to
keep close tab on the situation in the
city, particularly as regarded politics.
Curtis was delegate in the county
convention in 1884, the year of the
Blaine fight. He was the youngest
delegate and was expected, along
with most of the other delegates, to
do as he was told. But Curtis, sure
of his ground because of his. perfect
knowledge of conditions, jumped into
the fight for Blaine. He wasn't an
orator but when he concluded his
speech that afternoon the convention
instructed its delegates for Blaine.
That knowledge of political condi-
tions long has been another of the
Curtis characteristics. It alone saved
him when enemy interests became so
in late years, that they
took away from him the district he
had got in the habit of carrying in
his race for congress every two years
and made his county a part of the
district thickly inhabited by enemies.
But to go back to the convention.
Curtis didn't upset the program at
the convention without making enc
friends. On the advice
of the latter he decided to make the
race for county attorney. He had,
in the meantime, become a partner
in the firm. In those days the liquor
Interests still were hoping to defeat
prohibition in Kansas. Curtis's firm
was retained by them at the rate of
$500 a month, whether there were
cases to try or not. And Curtis an
nounced his candidacy on platform
that called for the resubmission of
the dry amendment.
Five of the leading local attorneys
were drafted by the prohibltionlsts
to defeat Curtis. The most bitter
campaign the county ever knew fol-
lowed but Curtis was elected. He
saw virtually every voter and so did
his opponents. 1t was charged Curtis
was a former cab driver and hadn't
studied law regularly. AS one res
dent of the town says Of the cam
paign, "all the hammers were worn
out mailing lies" But Curtis was
elected.
The new county attorney took Of
fee in January. He inherited 1Oo
liouor cases from his predecessor in
office. There were some 80 places
carrying federal liquor licenses. Cur
It's prepared to try one Of the left
over liquor cases and half of the
men accepted for jury service were
known to be drinkers" Curtis told
them ne didn't like the law but it
wasn't up to him to say whether it
was good Or bad. He was sworn to