f Whitewater, ye know, George. The merchants
in this town is satisfied with the way things is boomin'. The
factory workers is gittin' theirs, with high wages an' overtime. The
stockholders is makin' no kick on the dividends--as ye know, George,
being one of them.
"Now, we don't want nuthin' to disturb all this If the fact'ries is
crackin' the law a bit, why, it ain't the first time such things has
got by the inspector. The fact'ry managers'd like some assurance from ye
that ye're goin' to keep yer hands off before they line up the fact'ry
hands to vote for ye."
Doolittle paused here. George nodded.
"When are ye comin' out with a plain statement of yer intentions,
George?" inquired Mr. Norton in a conciliatory tone.
"The voters in this town will get a clear statement of my stand on all
the issues of this campaign in plenty of time, gentlemen."
"That's all right fer the voter, but ye can't stall _us_ wit' that kind
of talk--" began Noonan.
"Wait a minute, Pat," counseled Doolittle. "George means all right. He's
new to this game, but he means to stand fer the intrusts of his party,
don't ye, George?"
"I should scarcely be the candidate of that party if I did not."
"I ain't interested in no oratory. Are ye or are ye not goin' to keep
yer hands off the prosperity of Whitewater?" demanded Noonan angrily.
"Look here, Noonan, I am the candidate for this office--you're not. I
intend to do as my conscience dictates. I will not be hampered at every
turn, nor told what to say and what to think. I must get to these things
in my own way."
"Don't ye fergit that ye're _our_ candidate, that ye are to express the
opinion of the people who will elect ye, and not any dam' theories of
yer own----"
"I think I get your meaning, Noonan."
George spoke with a smile which for some reason disconcerted Noonan. He
sensed with considerable irritation the social and class breach between
himself and Remington, and while he did not understand it he resented
it. He called him "slick" to Wes' and Doolittle and loudly bewailed
their choice of him as candidate.
"Then there's that P.L. bizness, Pat--don't fergit that," urged Wes'.
"I ain't fergittin' it. There's too much nosin' round Kentwood district
by the women, George. Too much talkin'. Ye'd better call that off right
now. Property owners down there is satisfied, an' they got _their_
rights, ye know." "I suppose you know what the conditions down there
are?"
"Sure we kno
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