Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-07-15
Were Out to Purify
Politics
(Copyright.)
By MARTHA M. WILLIAMS

ANAL yOul lhcic just OuO
thing to domaine Nora Vernon
by reclamation" Chairlady Lena Ray
snapped at the convention.
In front of her half a dozen women
had popped up. crying in chorus, "Why
she don't even votei She'd laugh at
us-shes impudent enough for any
thlng"-to all Of which Lena held up
silencing hand, saying impressively
'But-she can carry the whole Creek
Bottom black settlement"
"How are you so certain she'll get
all those votes2" a sharp-faced dele
gate demanded.
"By fndin' out" Lena shrugged.
Jim Whalley, the man we've got to
beat, has offered old Unc' Israel the
big preacher, FIVE hundred dollars to
carry the Greek Bottom for him. And
he was told it was all goin' to vote
de way Miss Nory said.'"
"Oh, Hot That's why she's here
today. l wondered-she's never vot-
ed-don't believe In suffrage any more
than before we had It," from the
sharp-faced one.
Lena glared at her, answering:
"She's here-because I asked her to
bring me-Pm lame from goin' so
hard this last fortnight"
A fringe of men fidgeting on the
back seats, began calling raucously:
do somethin' Go to It'll We can't
stay here all day" Voters masculine
were mostly tied up with Whalley.
"Right-o," from Lena. "All in favor
of Miss Nora Vernon for the leglsla-
ture please say aye. The ayes have
it" as a fairly lusty shout an
swered her. "Now-please name a
committee to go tell Miss Nora
she's waitiR' for me in her car out
side"
Chairlady Lena found her victim en-
gagged In chatting very handsome
young fellow, whom she heartlessly
kept standing outside though there
was so much space In the car.
"We-we want you-inside," Lena
cried. i've come to fetch you"
ITO suffer for my sins2" Nora de-
manded rogulshly-she was mighty
pretty, dlmpled rosy, with sparkling
brown eyes, and damask-rose cheeks.
Come along and find out" Lena
ordered. Francis Conway hindering
In his eagerness to help Lena
scowled at him: you're in the way.
Scootl" then as Nora went with her
few PAGES, she said: "Come along.
got to tell you somethin'. You know
the legislatures got to elect sena-
tor-now old Mrs. Conway Is wild for
us to beat Jim Whalley, and since
you're the one to beat him, we're
just bound to have you rum"
Explain" said Nora stopping short
Lena explained, her voice trembling
with excitement, and wound up with :
"Now you know, even If you get beat,
Mrs. Conway win love you for run
nin'-but If you won't do that and
Jim Whalley wins-why you may Just
as well hang your harp on the willow
being Mrs. Francis Conway, junior.
goes"
Nora laid hands upon her friends
shoulders. LENA, believe in you
but tell me this: Are you women not
out to purify politics1"
Certain and sure" from Lena.
That's one reason we're so bent on
cookn' Jim Whalley's goose. Such
corruptionist-off erin' those poor
folk money to vote for him"
us 1t worse than offering to bribe
me into candidacy, with senatorial
mOther-ln-lawT
Lena staggered slightly, crying,
"Why, don't you see-all the differ
ence in the world. You're fit for the
place-more'n anybody In the coun-
ty-youve got lnhuence-you will do
1t credlt-Jlm Whalley will sell out
to the highest bidder"
"Old Mrs. Conway has money
why doesn't she buy him? I'm not
for sale-even at the price of her son."
from Nora.
"But-but don't you see It's your
duty. You did In the dry time what
no man had the wit nor heart to
do. II you lead the folks you helped
in.o 'ne lis"t WY, lninn VI ho"
you, eN"pi1 ina1 oRieau
Nora firmly Greed will beat hui
lnanity' tnree III inc game every time'
uon thihA wonieh snouiu vols
just pecause 'ney are women Iney
sec tnings ciear en"ush, anu Judge
theiil rlshtiy enough Until the per
soma equatioh comes ~, Ihen-tney
ieel ahyth,hg- Is Iawrui' tnat heips
thelh get their own way. I'm a wom-
ah-theIeIore' uont vote at nome