The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-11
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 candidate, but as a sensible character wht had to prepare a market for his wares b! putting the right men in the right places In this game I came in contact with tht queerest boob I ever knew--a man of more than ordinary attainments and apparently sane in all but one lobe of his brain.
 "His egotism exceled anything of the sort in my long experience He made Bill Hohenzollern look like modest violet by comparison.
 "He didn't just think we'll of himself he worshiped himself with devotion sucf as Nero's Hon-feed accorded the Christian cause. 1 have to waste this time describing his mental condition because it is the only key to the situation. It's the only cxplana ton of a persecution that is beginning tc get my favorite goat. Many years ago this squirrel, who was at the head of large educational institution, in position which gave full sway to his egotism, decided that being the greatest man in the world in cluding Cook county, he owed it to his country to take over it's government: Tc this end he decided to begin in modes. way by cleaning up his home town before accepting the larger responsibilities of .hc presidency of the United States He had following among the highbrow boobs, and after suggesting it himself ac- corded them the privilege of selecting him as their reform candidate for Mayor.
 'sI had known this man for years before this unfortunate outburst, but never having given him an opportunity to horn into my business, we had no friction. He looked down on me and spoke unkindly of my laudable methods of improving the town by careful selection of candidates and voters When he broke into politics I was imme- diately selected official enemy, and through the pulpit and soft boiled press he abused me like sheep herder. Of course, l paid no attention to him and proceeded as usual His opponent was man who knew the business of running big town-the logical man for the place. When oar hero got about as many votes as some of the precinct com- mitteemen he went wild.
 "Of course, lot of jokers had promised to vote for him. His explosion was spec tacular and his animus, after he recovered steerage way, was directed at me. First he demanded a recount and the election officials laughed. He rushed to the papers and called me criminal who voted asylums and cemeteries, and the writers laughed with their readers. One paragrapher in sinuated that the defeated one had beer counting on the dead and demented vote for himself and couldn't understand why it hadn't been delivered. Then the finish ing touch He rushed into my office froth ing at the mouth. He stuck finger at my face and screamed:
 "'You know why I was not elected!' And I says, Of course do; the other man got nearly all the votes, you poor fish
 ."Then it took four men to remove him yelling that he would get me if it tool a thousand years, and would follow me tt the ends of the earth. Yeah, he took in { lot of time and territory, but he always was extravagant."
 A pause: Cupid drew a cigarette-no from a golden case, as prescribed by thu best authorities, but fishing it from yes pocket as one might snatch peanut out o. bag.
 "Now that you have taken nourish ment," said Judge VanFleet, who had re maned quiet until the smoke was dis carded, maybe you might continue. Th' light begins to percolate through the cracks but there's still some dark space betweel crooked politics in Chicago and peaceful honest San Antone. Vaguely, gather tha some of your sins have come home to roost
 "And this pleasant person is here, dis turbing your peace? Let's go knock him fol home run and call 1t day. That is, i, you don't want him shot,"