Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 302, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1911 — The RINC and the MAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The RINC and the MAN

Wm SOME INCIDENTAL RELATION JO HIE WOMAN

By CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY

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SYNOPSIS. A foolish young tenderfoot become* fMcin&ted with the bold, artful wife of a drunken prospector in a western mining >lown. They prepare to elope In a blinding blizzard but are confronted by the maudlin husband. He Is shot by the wife, but the chivalrous boy pins a nobs, to the body, taking the crime upon htrasMf. In their flight to the railroad station the woman's horse falls exhausted: the youth puts her on his own and follows hanging to the otlrrup strap. Seeing he Is an Impediment, the woman thrusts her escort Into a snow drift and tides on. Half-rroxen h* stumble* Into the railroad station Just as th# train bears the woman away. Twenty-five years later, this man, George Gormly. is a multi-millionaire In New York. He meets Eleanor Haldane, a beautiful and wealthy settlement worker, and co-operatee with her in her work. Gormly becomes owner of a steamship Hue and And* himseir frustrated In pier and track extension plans by grafting aldermen. backed by the Gotham Traction company. An automobile accident- brings the Haldanes to his country home. Gormly announces that he will be mayor of New York and redeem the city from corruption. Mr. Haldane In a long desired Interview with Gormly. makes an Indirect proposition to compromise the fight which the latter has been waging In the newspapers against the Gotham Traction company, and which Haldane is suspected of being the head. Gormly boldly announces Mi plan of campaign to Haldane. Gormly rides t 6 Haldane's place, carrying word Of the augo accident. The next morning he refers to the ride of the night before as mild compared to one he experienced In his boyhood days. The papers announce his candidacy for mayor. The political declaration of the merchant prince produced a tremendous sensation. The minority party, seeing In him a possible Moses, make overtures looking to the Indorsement of Ms candidacy by the "outs. Gormly, however, rejects all proposed alliance. A meeting of the Sachem Society or the "Ring/ 5 is held at the Haldane Home. Many • political dignitaries and henchmen are present and ways and means are advanced to dampen Gormly's mayoralty aspirations and sidetrack his candidacy. Th# younger Haldane Is proposed as an opposition candidate: the whole machinery of the city's detective fore* Is to be used to dig up something damaging to Gormly. Haldane. Jr., refuses the nomination and announces that A* will support Gormly. The reigning party then'deddos to name a non-parti-san tlckst for the purpose of dividing the Gormly forces, and at the same time rush through a Freight Traction company franchise,'without Which the Sacliem Society would be nelsless.

CHAPTER X.—Continued. "I offer 110,000,000 for this franchise. If it be granted me, I shall guarantee to operate the road In the Interests of the people, and turn over all the 'profits shove six per cent on my. investment to the people themselves. Lest (here should,be any doubt of my ability to make good,’* continued the merchant, "1 beg to say that I have In my hand a forfeiture cheek', for one-fourth of the amount In question, which is certified to by the City ot Gotham National bank.” "The gentleman is out of order,” remarked the presiding officer as soon as he could recover his equipoise. “We are not auctioning off public franchises to the highest bidder. We are granting this one In the interests of the public to the company which has already served the people so well and has assumed the burden of the giwgt system of which this is the necessary,, connecting link.” “Sir!” cried Oofmly, amid a chorus of grbaiu. hisses and cheers, “I protest against—" "Any other interruptions from the Fpeaker" came quickly from the chair, "and any further expressions of approval or disapproval from the spectators, will result in the clearing of the room by the sergeant at arms.” “I call," said one of the aldermen, "for a vote on the resolution.” "Those in favor of the granting of tbs franchise will say aye,” Immediately said the chairman. There was a furious chorus of "Shame! shame!" from a great number of spectators in which the feeble "ayes” were scarcely heard. . “Those opposed,” went on the voice of the chairman, trembling with excitement, “win signify it by eijlHg ■Mb.** A thundering shout of "Noes” rang through the. hall, the few In opposition making up by their vociferation tor their small numbers. x ayes have It.” said the chairman, hammering on the desk with his gavel! *• "Division! Division!" clamored the opposition. "Those in favor,” continued the chairman, disgusted at being compelled to put the administration thus on record, hut powerless to prevent it “will stand up *

Amid about* and cries and disorder ' never before equaled, the members of the administration got to their feet The whip that had been cracked over their heads had been used to effect. Some of them were mere ignorant tools; others were able to understand what they were doing. They all voted alike. A score of alert reporters from carefully prepared lists were checking off the votes * "The ayes have It; the ordinance is passed,’* cried the chairman triumphantly, after the noes bad been called to their feet and counted. "I ‘move," said Aldenhan Heilman, ■‘that we do now adjourn." ,* Tie .... I wit, .tit t tilth.

Gormly had not intended to speak; but the opportunity was too good to be lost As he descended the steps, the cheering changed Into a demand for a speech from him. No hustings had been prepared, but by the curbstone stood a big, high-powered automobile. It was filled with people. Livingstone Haldane sat In the chauffeur’s seat The place beside him was vacant. "Dp here, Mr. Gormly!” he cried, pointing. Without observing who was In the Gormly clambered up to the seat and stood on It He was thus lifted sufficiently high above the crowd.

“Fellow citizens.” he began as the cheering subsided and the multitude gave him opportunity to speak, "you know that in order to complete the ring of oppression which holds the city In its iron grasp under the name of the Gotham Freight Traction company, It was necessary that the old franchise of the New York Street Car company expiring today should become the property of that company. Through the franchises they already enjoy, they have created an Institution that villi enable them to continue their predatory practises—” “Talk English!” shouted a voice from the crowd., , “Thank you, my friend,” answered Gormly. "Which will enable them to steal from you your money, your earnings, your your profits, your capital, whatever you have for the next one hundred years. They

have sold bonds to pay for the building of the road; not one cent of their own money baa gone Into It They have Issued stock to themselves to double or quadruple the value of the Investment, and they are determined to make you pay interest, large Interest, on that stock as well as on the bonds. But, In order that they can carry out this nefarious and thieving proposition, they must secure this franchise which expired today, others wise their traction lines will be Incomplete, will end in the air, there will be no connectibn between its ends; for the territory covered by this franchise is so situated that If the lines are to be connected it must be through this territory. Consequently this franchise is the most valuable of the few remaining properties of the people. You own it; It belongs to you. It’s your last chance to get your rights. If you hold It, they are at your mercy. “Thla franchise, the possession of which means so much to you. is about to be given away. The council has overwhelmingly passed an ordinance granting it, without restrictions, to the Gotham Freight Traction companyfor the space of one hundred years, win yon sanction that?”

The square was now seething with excitement. Gotmly'a dear, powerful voice carried to-the extremes of the crowd. His plain, practical presentation was simple enough for all to understand. He paused at this Juncture and surveyed the crowd. A voice suddenly cried n shrill negative, and' instantly the word was caught up and g past thundering chorus of ns!

Never;" roiled through the park with ever Increasing volume and vehemence. If Gormly had looked back, he could have semi the windows of the city hall crowd with aldermen, white faced and anxious, listening to that tremendous and even furious negative. “Let’s get the aldermen out here!”" cried a voice in a pause in the com-" motion, "and show ’em what we think!” There was an Instant response to the suggestion. The people made a wild surge toward the entrance of the city ball. The multitude could easily have degenerated Into.a mob. But Gormly checked it. His control was admirable. "No, gentlemen,” he cried, “no, men and citizens of New York. We must do things lawfully. The grant has not been signed by the mayor. Believe me, they will not be insensible to this protest Let it be repeated In every local organization; let every member of the board of be warned by his constituents not to press this bill, to reconsider bis action at once. '

’’Gentlemen—” he held jip a piece of paper. One of the tall lights In the square illuminated his face and figure. His every action was distinctly visible to the multitude —“I have here in my band a check, certified by the City of Gotham National bank, for two and one-half millions of dollars. Before this ordinance was passed this evening, not ten minutes ago, I offered this sum of money as a forfeiture, binding me to pay ten millions for the franchise In question. I offered to subscribe to an agreement which would limit my own returns to six per cent upon my investment; and promised that the people should have every cent of profit over and above that legitimate amount “The offer was refused; that check was declined, but it still holds good. I make the offer not merely to the cringing, subservient, whipped-into-line aldermen, but to you, the people.” “WhatTe you going to get out of It?” asked a voice. “I am going to be elected mayor of

New York by you men,” answered Gormly. “I am going to get the consciousness that I have an opportunity to give New York a clean, decent, law abiding administration, without graft. I am going to put the people in the enjoyment of their rights. I made my money here. Every dollar of It you gave to me. I am giving it back to you. We worked'together to make It; I by selling you good goods and telling the truth about It, and you by paying a fair price for it and coming hack if you were not satisfied. We will work together la the same way now. If you give me the opportunity to administer the affairs of the city. I pledge my business honor, at which no man can point a finger, that I will do It honestly and honorably to the satisfaction of honest and honorable men, or you can throw me over. “Now, remember,” the speaker continued as wild cheers greeted this announcement, “that clamor and glamor don’t win elections; that shouting and cheering are all very well in their way. but It la votes that count You must see that your votes are deposited, and then you must see that they are fairly counted. I beg that you will disperse now, go home, and make it your business to see your aldermen about thift franchise. Do it quickly and do it hard.” : v “We’ll see them now!” yelled one volee after another in quick sucees“L*t ’em coma outbere!" ■ “We'd like to talk to ’em*" , “Give us a chance at them!” "Where’s the mayor?" ’ v

The square was In a tumult again, which area Gormly tor the moment was helpless to control Now Hon. Peter D. .Warren way to the city hall He had heard all that had been said, and witnessed all that had been done. Although he was a briber and a corropxkmist, he was not without courage. It seemed to him that the psychological moment for his advent had arrived Therefore, he hastily made his way . through the aldermen, and boldly appeared mi the outside steps back of Gormly. He was recognized at once. The mayor stood quietly, a little pale, but apparently undaunted. He waved his hands for silence. Gormly assisted him in quelling the tumult. The mayor stepped to the extreme sedge of the portico; but before he could begin his speech, the same burly voiced man who < had been such a useful adjunct to Gormly interrupted him. “We dont want to hear any speech from you tonight. Mr. Gormly,” he roared, his great voice compelling attention, and as he spoke he sprang up on the steps of the automobile and ►faced the crowd, “we want you to ask the mayor of this city If lie’s going to sign the bill- granting the franchise. But before you do that we want you to tell him what we citizens of New York think of the proposition.” Through the crowd at . this moment came charging a platoon of police, at the head of which was the chief himself. The men handling their sticks shouldered their way roughly through the people groaning, raging, swearing, about them. Connell laid bis hand on the speaker and sought to drag him from the automobile. The man struck back violently; clubs figshed in the air. The multitude In another Instant would have been' a mob. Gormly it was who came again to the rescue. “These,” -he promptly interposed, raising his voice, “are peaceable citizens discussing a great public question. I appeal to you as mayor of this city to call off the police. Take your band ofT that man’s collar, Connell" he shouted, “or by the living God-I’ll turn this mob upon you and there won’t be a rag left of you and your bluecoats!”

He stepped down to the body of the car as he Bpoke; and before the chief realized what he was about he seized him by the collar and threw him backward. It was a magnificent exhibition of strength and nerve and courage. “Call them off,” he shouted to the mayor, “or I won't be answerable for the consequences!” As soon as he stopped, the roar of the mob began. Some were there who thought they had never heard a sound so .terrible and so menacing. The mayor, not without good sense, came to the rescue. “So long,” he said In his powerful, finely modulated voice, "as these people do nothing, they shall not be interfered with. March your officers up here to the steps of the city hall, chief!” he cried. There was nothing for Connell but obedience. Shaking bis baton fiercely at Gormly, he gaye an order to his men, anjJ, followed by the curses and groans of the multitude, they inarched up the steps of the city hall and grouped themselves about the mayor. “I want to tell you,” cried Gormly, mounting to the seat again and now thoroughly aroused, his voice ringing like a trumpet, “that you have no need of police- proteptiog In the presence of the people of New York.” “Let me speak!” said the mayor. “No!” thundered the crowd. “We don’t want to hear you speak!” “Mr. Mayor,” said Gormly, “these people want to express an opinion to you. Fellow citizens, those who are in favor of Indorsing the action of the council In granting the franchise to the Gotham Freight Traction company will say aye.” Every henchman, every follower, every ally, every official present, cried, “Aye!” It made a brave showing until the negative was put, when such a roar of disapproval arose that It was like the breath of the gods and fairly shook the ancient stones of the haR. (TO BB CONTTNUBD.)

“Mr. Chairman, I Offer Tan Million Dollars for This Franchise.”