pass the bill. What that was I will not say now, as the entire, matter was taken out of my hands, but the figures were unlucky.

"I agreed for a fee of $145,000 to pass the bill. And there would not have been any safe deposit box to take care of the money if I had handled the matter.

"I don't do business that way.

"I get the fee, and in 60 days the legislation wanted is delivered.'

"John H. Becker, holding the position of city factory inspector, was indicted on the charge of attempted bribery. The indictment accused him of attempting to influence by means of money the jury commissioner to place a certain name on the jury list in the Kratz case."

The sensational lighting scandal, which resulted in Mr. Kelly fleeing to Europe, is still fresh in the public mind. The newspapers have published broadcast the startling facts in this case, and it has attracted attention all over the country. The accounts read like some of the tales of Robin Hood or the Arabian Nights. Like the forty thieves, the majority of the members of the House of Delegates had combined. Their purpose was to block every bill unless paid a certain bribe. This "combine" held regular meetings and actually conducted them according to parliamentary rules.

It worked well; every bill was held up until they received their price.

They permitted the city to be plunged into darkness

while holding up a certain lighting bill. The citizens became indignant and held mass meetings. They marched in a body to the City Hall, and demanded that this bill be passed and the city lighted. In their indignation and rage many threats of lynching were made. Yet in spite of all this the Combine waited until they were ready before passing the bill.

And when was that?

Not until they were paid $47,500.00 in bribes. There were nineteen members in the Combine and each one received $2,500.00. This was distributed one night at what was called a birthday party. Afterwards, when Circuit Attorney Folk began the boodle investigations, it was found that Kelly had brought the money to be distributed, and that he alone knew the bribe-givers. When Mr. Folk sought to lay hands upon him, he fled to Europe and only returned after the time had expired during which he might be prosecuted according to law.

The grandjury which brought most of the indictments made the following report in regard to the House of Delegates:

"We have had before us many of those who have been, and most of those who are now, members of the House of Delegates. We regret to report that we found a number of these utterly illiterate and lacking in ordinary intelligence, unable to give a better reason for favoring or opposing a measure than a desire to act with the majority. In some no trace of mentality or morality could be found;

The birthday party at which $47,500.00 was divided among the members of the House of Delegates "Combine" at St. Louis.

in others a low order of training appeared, united with base, cunning, groveling instincts and sordid desires. Unqualified to respond to the ordinary requirements of life, they are utterly incapable of comprehending the significance of an ordinance, and are incapacitated both by nature and by training to be the makers of laws. The choosing of such men to be legislators makes a travesty of justice, sets a premium on incompetency and deliberately poisons the very source of law."-Report of St. Louis Grandjury.

Is not the drift and tendency of affairs plainly apparent? Is it not clear that legislation of the people, by the people and for the people is a thing of the past?

"As long as legislators can make more profit by serving monopolies than by serving the people it may be expected that monopolies will be served."

And as long as the people permit it, monopolies will continue to be served.

Here then is found another agency at work to bring on the Revolution. Only one of many, yet a very powerful one in itself, and of the most vital importance. It has not honeycombed national legislation quite as much as municipal, but it will. When it does, the end is near. The people will then lay the ax to the root of the tree.