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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 28, 1910)
0 (neRinji IS? mi WITH SOME INCIDENTAL RELATION TO THE WOMAN By Cyrus Townsend Brady Illustrations bp Dearborn Melvill OtDtrUkt. la br MoSmt, Tard 4 Co. CHAPTER VIII. ; A Quiet Meeting of the Dictator. Earl In the new year, at the In stance of Haldane, a meeting of the Inner circle of the governing bod, popularly known aa "The Ring," waa called at hla private residence on up per Fifth avenue, which he very un obtrualrely reoocupled for the occa sion. The meeting was held late at night The men summoned thereto came up town quietly and unostenta tiously slipped Into the house. For many reasons Haldane's rela tion to the Sachem society was care fully concealed. He represented a distinct group of financiers and busi ness Interests whose relations with the party in power were most inti mate. These relations in some In stances were suspected, but their ac tuality had not been allowed to trans pire. Haldane kept in constant touch with Llffey the bostf; but no one, save the inner circle, suspected that the two were hand In glove together. Haldane did not often meet with anyone but Llffey. In this instance, however, he at least appreciated the gravity of the situation, and had di rected Llffey to bring with him those whose advice would naturally be sought on such subjects as he desired to discuss. He had also assembled two of the directors of the Gotham Freight Traction company, to wit, Van Slyke and McRonald, men associated with him upon whose Judgment and ability he could rely. In addition to them came Llffey, grand chief of the Sa chem society and the acknowledged and undisputed boss of the party; Connell, the chief of police; Ruther ford, the district attorney; Habber ley, the street commissioner; and last and also least, Hon. Peter D. Warren, mayor of the city. Llffey, as leader of the Great Sachem society, controlled the or ganization absolutely. The chief of police wielded the vast powers for graft of that remarkable organization. The district attorney, through whose hands all criminal prosecutions must pass, was the safety valve of both the Sachem society, and that portion of. the people to which It looked for sup port. The street commissioner, who bad at his disposal more appointments than all the rest of the administration put together, used them primarily for tbe good of the party and after that for cleaning the streets. The mayor, the ostensible head but really the servant of the quartet, waa there because of his office, and he wa In office because he could be con trolled. From the point of view of the men present, he was the best mayor that New York had ever Lad. He was a man of some parts. He could make a brilliant speech, pre side gracefully and with dignity at public meetings, and was altogether an admirable figure to head a great city In everything but morals. Associated with these four Intensely practical men and this pliant, willing figurehead were the interests repre sented by the Gotham Freight Trac tion company, of which Haldane was la absolute control, although the presi dency was vested In another man. The interests of Haldane and his asso ciates were not confined to the Gotham Freight Traction company. They had their hands on every publlo franchise. Their private affairs, of course, were vast and multiform; but with them we have nothing to do. Their alliance with the political party, for which they had paid and would continue to pay enormous sums, hud brought them very material advantages In one form or an other. All the trusts that make New Jersey their headquarters hardly equaled In wealth and control the organizations these men represented. Haldane, from his one interview with Gormly, had an idea that In this Instance the two forces to be dread ed by tbe ring were Incarnated In Gormly and would rally about Gormly. Now, of course, everyone of those present had read Gormly's startling announcements of his candidacy. Most of them had read them with amuse ment; onTy the most prescient with eny feeling of alarm, and even that feeling was not sufficiently deep to have awakened any special degree of anxiety. Yet the fact that each one had been summoned to HaJdane's house, the politicians through Llffey and the financiers through Haldane himself, rather startled them. The eight men assembled In the iraclous library of the Fifth Avenue house. The curtains were discreetly drawn. The men had arrived singly and at different times. They were admitted by Haldane's confidential secretary In person. Cigars and liquors were provided, and the eight, from all sorts of differing social ranks, mingled freely together on terms of absolute equality. The district attorney, for instance, was a graduate of Yale. Haldane him self had come from Harvard. The a oroduct of Columbia. Llffey had started in as a roor Irlsn immigrant. The chief of police had been a saloonkeeper and finally the rcloi.el of a National Guard regiment McRonald was a Scotsman whose shrewdness and ability had won him a hlg'a position among the financial magnates. Van Slyke belonged to an old Dutch family and had inherited a vast fortune, which his adroit man agement had tremendously Increased. They represented American life with its opportunities and Its possibilities. "Gentlemen," began Haldane quietly, "I have called you here, as you have doubtless surmised, because of the announcement of the candidacy of George Gormly for mayor." "Do you think It's of sufficient Im portance. Mr. Haldane, for such an The Disgusted Delegation Tramped Out unusual conference as this 1st" aski'd the boss. "I certainly do, Llffey," was the re ply. "It Isn't the first time," said Ruth erford, a man of exceptional ability and great distinction of manner and bearing, "that some impracticable re former has offered himself for popular suffrage on such a platform." "But it is the first time in my recollection," returned Haldane, "that a man possessing the peculiar com bination of business ability, unques tioned Integrity, and unlimited money has put himself forward, and I beg to assure you that I consider him the most available man from the point of view of the opposition that has ever appeared on the political horizon." "I don't care a cuss how available he Is," said Llffey. "We can beat him, and we wllL Of course, it'll take more money." He looked significantly at the trio of financiers. "The amount of money that It takes now," said McRonald grimly, "Is some thing terrific." "I should say so," added Van Slyke. "Well, you get what you bargain for, don't you?" returned the boss viciously. "You get a free hand to take It out of the people, don't you?" "Gentlemen, gentlemen," said Hal dane authoritatively, "I hardly think the discussion is taking a profitable turn. Doubtless, as Liffey says, we can beat him; certainly we must do so. Probably it will cost more money; that 1b, If in some way his candidacy cannot be headed off." "Can he be induced to withdraw, do you thinkr asked Rutherford. "No, I think not; but if we made him some concessions it is barely pos sible he might, though I gravely doubt It He's all stirred up over this switch business. I have already taken upon myself to offer to use my influ ence to get the price demanded cut in half. He declined the offer Imme diately. , I think he said he wouldn't pay anything except the cost of the switch and a reasonable sum 140,000 for the privilege." "I want you to mark, Mr. Haldane," put In Llffey, "that if we're mixed up In a fight it's the extortionate de mands of the Gotham Freight Trac tion company which has brought It about." . "My dear sir," answered Haldane con temptuously, "how are we to satisfy the demands made upon us by you and your fellow members of the Sa chem society and make a profit for ourselves out of the matter, if we don't make men like Gormly pay .heavily?" "That's your lookout." "Well, you will find that It's also yours If we stop payments." "Oh, I don't know. I guess there's others that'd be glad to enjoy the franchises." "Now, Liffey," said the district at torney, who perhaps from his official position as public prosecutor had more Influence over the boss than any body present "Don't talk like a fool! You know perfectly well that we are all necessary to one another; that we are all In the same boat; we all have to fight the same battle. Have you anything to propose, Mr. Haldane?" "I dont know that I have any definite proposition Just at present" was the answer. "I have met this Gormly, I have er as you would say, sized him up carefully; I put him down for a man of Indomitable cour age. Whatever his motive may be, he is thoroughly determined upon his course. However small his experience In politics, be Is a business man through and through." "Does he dabble In Wall street V asked Warren. "If so, It would be easy for you to form a combination to break him." "His business methods are confined to his mercantile establishment, and they are purely legitimate." "What resources has he gotr "Well, I should say he can command perhaps a soore of millions." "Whew!" exclaimed Llffey. "He nilfht be a gooa nun to tie to.' "You can set your mind at rest as to that, Liffey. He wouldn't tie to a ! man llks you." "Oh, I don't know. Pretty good nu n have found it to their interests to tio up with me, and they haven't lost any thing by it Have you, Mr. Haldane?" Haldane locked his teeth. It was this sort of covert Insult which was the necessary concomitant of his alliance w hich. In his secret heart, be loathed. Again It w as the district at torney who Interposed. "I take It that this is a conference," he said equably, "as to what we are to do, If anything, to head off this man. You don't think he can be bought off, Mr. Haldane?" "I am sure he cannot be." "Well, then, he'll have to be fought down," returned the other; "for it Is evident that we cannot afford to have the workings of the Sachem society brought before the publlo. The thing to be done now Is to get together, keep together, and beat Gormly." "You think he's got a chance, do your "More than a chance." "But we control everything." "Everything but Gormly. apparent ly," answered Van Slyke. "Yes," said Rutherford, disregarding the last remark; "but you know, Lif fey, our control rests largely upon the indifference of the people. If they get waked up, It would go like that He snapped his finger as he spoke, and no man contradicted him, for true it is that on the indifference of the many Is founded the power of the one. "We could still count the votes," said the chief of police uncertainly. "Undoubtedly; but if there are enough people Interested In the affair, the votes will be counted as caBt" "And we have the courts on our side." added Habberler. "Tes, to a certain extent; but thers are limits beyond which even our own Judges could not go. Therefore, If Mr. Haldane's estimate of Gormly Is correct and for myself I am rather inclined to believe that It Is, we are face to face with a terrific proposi tion." "Well then," said Llffey, "I think the best thing to do, if you gents are all agreed that it's serious, Is to pitch upon a candidate. We want to have a man that's entirely respectable, and yet who knows which side his bread's buttered on and wholl take care of the organization." "I think." said Warren tentatively, "that I have earned another term. I certainly haven't failed In my duty" "To the people V asked Rutherford. "To the organization," answered the mayor with dignity, "and my private character is all that could be de sired." Liffey snorted with disdain. "My dear Mr. Warren, undoubtedly you are very available. Whether or not you are the most available Is the question," interposed McRonald. "We ought to get some man of the highest consideration, who belongs to a most respectable family, and yet who's amenable to the right pressure. How'd you do yourself, Mr. Haldane?" asked the boss Innocently, If bouses can ever ask anything In that vein. "Under no consideration," he said, decisively, "could I accept the honor. My interests, .our Interests, are too vast for me to localise them by be coming mayor of New York." "Haven't you got a son?" asked Connell, the chief of police. "He'd have all the advantages of name and station and so on that you would, and I have no doubt he'd do pretty much what you said, and I'm sure you'd say what Was best for us all." "I think that would be an excel lent Idea," chimed In Rutherford. "How old is your youngster, Hal dane?" I "lie s twenty-eight" "Never done anything in his life, has he?" "Do you mean In business, or any any other way?" "Anj'thrng he's got to cover up I mean." "Nothing, I believe," answered the father. "He's been a lively lad; but nothing dishonorable that I am aware of." "He's the very man we want young, enthusiastic, Inexperienced, rich, controllable. Where Is he now?" asked Rutherford. "He's down on Long Island at my country place." "Can you get In communication with him by telephone?" "I think so." "Suppose you call him up and ask hlra whether or not, if he got the nomination, he would run." "I will. Excuse me, gentlemen," said Haldane, going out Into the hall where one of the duplicate telephones was Installed. He did not care to do his telephon ing in the library before the group of conspirators. "I think," protested Warren as Hal dane closed the door behind him, "that this Is a shame. You promised me that If I made a satisfactory mayor, I should have the refusal of the office again, and I'd like to know what I've done that you should throw me down?" "Promises," satd Llffey, "don't go in politics longer than it's agreeable, as yeu very well know. We ain't throwing you down, either. You'll be provroea ror doubtless in some wT, and maybe this young Haldane ain't the most available man after all We're not committed to him yet." "I'll tell you one thing that we can do without waiting for a candidate," here Interposed the chief of police. "And what is that, pray?" asked the mayor. "We can put the Central Office de tective force on Gormly's trail. We can look up his record. We can find out all about him ever slnoe he was a naoy. it s dollars to peunies ouv ! he'd like to keep hidden." "Your suggestion Is an excellent one, and your observations do you credit. It's the first practical sugges tion we've had here this evenlug," said Van Slyke. "Right," said Liffey. bluntly. "Turn up some dirty story about him, and If you need evidence I'll supply all that's necessary." "You'll have to be careful." said Rutherford, "that such evidence as you supply shall be unimpeachable, and that such a story as you turn up shall be true, else I won't have any thing to do with It" "Oh. I guess you'll take your orders from the society." "Not from you, Llffey. not from any body," said Rutherford quietly enough, though his face flushed at the insult "As- a matter of fact being district attorney. I hold the whip hand of you all." And again the uneasy movement from the financiers evi denced the truth of that assertion. "My term still has two years to run. remember, and there are things I could do even with you. Dont forget that!" Liffey gritted his teeth; but said nothing in the face of so obvious a proposition. ions FOR FMU SERVICE Commencing on the first of Decem ber the Nebraska Lighting Co. will put on their morning run, supplying the people with electricity at five o'clock In the place of seven, as is the custom in the summer time. How much better it would be If the first of December was the starting point for the newly proposed twenty-four hour service that has been talked of but never realized, for the past year. A twenty-four hour service means a great deal to the city of Plattsmouth, many people want It and a few do not, and we believe the wishes of the majority should rule In a case like this. There are but few, If any, cities the size of Plattsmouth that do not have a twenty-four hour service, and now that the spirit of progresslvenesB is very evident In our city this la one of the most essential and Indisapensi blo of all the necessities that are needed to place us In the class we belong, one of the best and most up-to-date cities In the state. We under stand that the city council will take some action upon this very Important question at their regular meeting on Monday evening of next week, and we trust that they may be able to see their way clear to give us the ex tension of light hours. Moat every private consumer desires the twenty four hour service, and the light com pany Is ready to put It Into operation, but the returns from the private con vunier will not Justify them In so doing. It now hinges upon the action of the council whether the proposi tion goes through or not. As will be seen In another column of this paper, the company announces that the two hour extension will take place on the first of December, even though they fall In securing a twenty-four hour contract from the city. Let us hope for what Is the best for all concerned, which we believe to be the twenty four hour fiervlce. In From Murray. From Saturday's Ially. J. W. Berger and Chas. Carroll, two good citizens from Murray, were In the city today, Mr. Berger coming up for a barrel of oil and Charley after his winter supply of potatoes. The Journal acknowledges a brief call from them. Mr. Carroll tells us that his home seems mighty lonesome these days, since the departure of the young lady they took from the Orphans' Home five years ago. One of the head officials of the Home was in Murray a few days ago, coming to take the young girl, Miss Walker, who Is now In her sixteenth year, to the home of Mr. Engelkelmer, six miles west of Murray, where she will make her home. It seems as though the young lady bad got beyond the control of Mrs. Carroll, and they ap pealed to the home for assistance with the above result. Doth Mr. and Mrs. Carroll regret very much the loss of the young lady from their home. Leaguer Hold Interesting Meeting. The Epworth League held Its an nual Thanksgiving meeting last even ing at the beautiful home of Mr. J. M. Leyda, with his daughter, Miss Ethel, as hostess. The program was in keeping with the season, and con sisted of games, readings and music. Miss Ellen Windham read a Thanksgiving poem and selections from James Whltcome Riley. The at tendance was all that could bo de sired and a most pleasant and profit able scsnlon was had. Mrs. M. A. Cell Jones was a pas songer for Omaha this afternoon to visit friends. Mrs. Jones gave the Journal a call while in Plattsmouth en route for Omaha, and paid for the dally for six months, which she will receive on route 1. Ill S THOSE WHO DISTURB THE Suggestions That Will Prove Beneficial and at Least Furnish. Much Food for Thought to the Readers of the Journal. The following, taken from the Council Bluffs Nonpariet, will no doubt be read with considerable In terest by every enterprising citizen of Plattsmouth. It will at least furnish much food for thought among those who would like to see our city placed upon a level with the best and most prosperous cities In Nebraska: "Sioux City's boosters are just now enthused over the Willlamsport plan. You know Sioux City has already adopted the Des Moines plan and has not only the commission form of gov ernment, but a paid secretary for Its commercial club. The secretary and the president of the First National Bank of Sioux City have Just returned from Willlamsport, Pa., where they examined the Willlamsport plan and the bankers say that the plan works well. "Town-builders, boosters and those who would disturb the dead ones generally should look Into this Wil llamsport plan. It brings enormous factories to town, starts house build ing by the thousands and yet gives no one a bonus. In Willlamsport the substantial well-to-do and successful business men subscribe to a fund which Is used as the basis of credit for manufacturing enterprises. Each man assumes a liability up to the amount of his subscription and with the best men of a town thus back of the trust company the company can go to New York, Philadelphia or Bos ton and borrow money Just as easily as can the Pennsylvania railroad, or it can sell Its own securities locally. It loans money to new factories, 1100,000 at a time. The subscribers merely put up for losses If there are any. They are back of a guarantee A SLIGHT SCRATCH RE SULTS IN BLOOD POISON Mrs. Christina Rummel, residing a few miles in the country, had the misfortune to get her thumb slightly scratched about a week ago which has slnco developed a rather serious case of blood poison. The accident occurred while Mrs. Rummel was about her household duties. At the time Mrs. Rummel had a couple of syrup palls in her hand and acciden tally Bllpped, causing her to strike the hand In which the pails were held against the wall, Inflicting a very slight cut, which did not bleed any at the time, and Mrs. Rummel thought nothing of the matter. On Sunday morning, when her thumb pained her and had begun to show In fection, her son, Will, brought her to town to have Dr. Livingston examine the Injured hand, and on advice of the physician, Mrs. Rummel remained In the city, where treatment could be frequently administered, going to the home of Mrs. Peter Munn, where she has been since last Sunday. Her condition has been quite serious for several days, but this morning the physician thought her condition Im proved somewhat. Have I lectin to Lay Brick. Yesterday morning brick laying on the new gas engine factory was com menced, Mr. Emil Walters having the contract from Mr. Boyd for this por tion of the building, and while only one or two masons worked yester day, next week It Is lntcndod to work the force now on the postofflce build ing, as the contractor there Is out of brick. With the force now at work and the masons to be placed on the Job next week, th6 walls will go up pretty rapidly. Mr. Scott Is delivering the brick and sand to the site, and already has several thousand brick and many yards of sand on the ground. There is about 1C0, 000 brick to lay, and each mason will lay from three to four thousand per day, bo that if the weather is good, next week will see the brick work completed. Poultry Wanted Spring 8c Hens 80 Old Roosters 4 Stag Roosters 6 '4 Ducks, fat 8 GecRO, fat 8 Illgest prices paid for all kinds ot produce. IIATT PRODUCE CO. BOOSTERS MID DEAD ONES fund. "Easton. Ta.. tried It and landed a factory employing 2.000 men in al a few months. Manufacturers every where are looking for long time loans with which to extend their busltoss and any town in the west can move prosperous, growing factories front the east if they can only supply Ion time loans in large amounts. "Without calling It the Willlams port plan, Waterloo, in Iowa, has been at this kind of business for some time. Waterloo has a trust company in which most of the bank- era are interested. This trust com pany loans money to Waterloo fac tories. Several high class eentlemea visit the village banks of Iowa, Min nesota and Illinois, offering to toes banks the paper of Waterloo manu facturers In almost any sum, for a ay length of time desired and at attract ive rates. As much as $200,000 ot Waterloo paper has been known to have been sold to the banks of on fat and sleek town. The banking capital of three states Is thus back of the factories In Waterloo and sue a thing as moving an automobile fac tory becomes easy. As compared to the plan of the Greater Des Moines committee It is payment In full with real gold Instead of a promise of hot air. "The president of the First Na tional bank of Sionx City declares that the Willlamsport plan 1b practi cable for this town and proposes sv trust company there, to be offered by the local bankers, but backed by tho. combined guarantees of all the busi ness men. Why Is It not practicable, for Council Bluffs and every other Iowa town which wants to attraet industries?" Dig Combination PUDLIG GALE The undersigned will sell at Pub lic Auction to the highest bidder at the Silas Long farm, three miles west and a quarter mile south of Mynard, or seven miles southwest of Platts mouth, Nebraska, on TUESDAY, COV. 20 Commencing at 1:00 o'clock p. m. Live Htock. One sorrel mare, 11 years old, weight 1,350; one buckskin, 10 years years old. weight 1,350; one bar mare, 9 years old, weight 1,100; ooo bay horse, 12 years old, weight MOO; one gray horse, 7 years old, weight 1,400; one bay horse, 6 years old. weight 1,350; one mare colt, C months old. One Jersey cow, 6 years old, will soon be fresh; one Jersey cow, will be freBh January 1st. Implements, Etc. Two walking stirring plows, one 3 section harrow, one disc harrow, two comblnod walking Haters, three walk ing cultivators, one St. Joe two-row machine, one Deerlng binder, two farm wagons, two top buggies, four sets of work harness, one set of light harnesB, one set of single harness, one wood heating stove, one five-gallon barrel churn. Some household goods and numer ous other articles. ' Terms of Sale. All sums of $10 and under, eash; over $10, a credit ot twelve months will be given, purchaser giving good bankable paper bearing interest from date. All property must be settled for before being removed from tho premises. Geo. Gradovllle. W. A. Griffin. Q. K. Parmele, Auct. C. G. Frlcke, Clerk. Family Reunion. Tom Svoboda, the accommodating and gentlemanly Janitor ot the court houso and his estimable wife on Thanksgiving day gave a dinner, to which they Invited the relatives ot both. Turkey, duck and chicken, roasted to a beautiful brown, with oyster dressing adn vegetables In pro fusion, were served. Deserts, p, cakes and fruits followed and tho tablo groanod with a load ot delicate ly prepared dishes to tempt tho pal ate. Those present to enjoy the toast were Thomas Janda and children, and Bister, Miss Mary, from North Platte? John Svoboda, Jr., wife and childrenr John Svoboda, sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Joo Hiber, Mrs. Louis Janda, of Have lock, and J. W. Bookmeyer and wttti