Stover called a caucus of the faithful. They met in the rear room at
Hennesy's place. The curtains were drawn on the two windows next to the
alley. Stover, Hennesy, Goldberg, McBryan and Springer were present.
Stover was elected to act as president of the caucus. They did not
intend to keep a record of their proceedings, consequently they did not
need a secretary.
"Hennesy," said McBryan, "since you are the host here, wouldn't it
be in keeping with the rules of good society if you were to serve
refreshments?"
"You can have anything you want. Nothing would please me better than to
'liquor up' my friends. What will you take?"
"Whiskey for me," said McBryan. "I believe I'll take a leetle whiskey,
too," Goldberg chimed in. Springer ordered beer. Stover remarked,
"Boys, you know I never drink." Hennesy then stepped to the door
connecting the bar room with the rear conference room. "Jim," he called
to his porter, "bring two whiskeys and two bottles of beer."
After the liquor had been consumed they were ready for business.
"Boys," said Stover, "something must be done or we are going to lose
this election."
"Vat make you tink so?" asked Goldberg.
"There is no getting around the fact that the Klan is strong in this
county and section of the state. They have strong candidates. You stand
out on the street any day and listen to the conversations on political
matters, and about two out of every three men who express themselves
are for the Klan candidates," Stover replied.
"You are right," said McBryan. "I heard a bunch of fellows talking down
at Zala the other day, and it's the same thing down there."
"I thought you tell us in the Journal there was only a few Klansmen.
Hey, Springer, vat you say?"
"Goldberg, you don't suppose I would add to the influence of the Klan
by telling the public through my paper that there are between eight
hundred and a thousand Klansmen in Wilford Springs."
"You have brains, Springer, almost brains; that would have been poor
bezness, very poor bezness," exclaimed Goldberg.
"There are a lot of people who want to be on the winning side, and if
they thought that the Klan had any strength they would line up with
them. Keep on telling the people that there are only a few of them
here," remarked McBryan.
"Stover," said Springer, "you want to see to it that the mayor doesn't
allow the Klan to pull off a parade here. It makes too much of an
impression on the public for a thousand of those masked devils to
march through the streets," said Springer.
"I'll 'tend to that," replied Stover, "don't you worry for a single
minute about the Klan's having a parade or a public speaking within the
city limits."
"If those 'night gown boys' with the pillow slips over their heads get
to parading here some of us had just as well shut up shop. A lot of
our men are scared now. If you want to throw a scare into the average
bootlegger all you have to do is mention Kluxers," Hennesy remarked.
"Well, boys, now is the time to get rid of this foolishness, and if
we whip these midnight riders right good in this election we will
have gone a long way in checking them. On the other hand, if they
succeed in electing a majority of their candidates they are going to be
wonderfully strengthened, and it is liable to be very unpleasant for
certain lines of business." As Stover delivered this speech he rubbed
his hands together, as was his custom when anything of importance was
being discussed.
"Vat have you to suggest; vat will help mit the eleckshun?" Isaac
Goldberg asked.
"I believe it would be a good plan," said Springer, "if we would get
Governor Slydell to make a speaking tour in this part of the state.
While the Governor is not himself a candidate, he is backing Perdue
strong for governor, and Perdue has announced that he will carry out
Slydell's policies if elected."
"I am of the opinion that your suggestion is a good one, Springer. Sam
Slydell is a good campaigner, and he is strong against the Klan. He
will do us some good if we can get him to make half a dozen speeches
in this part of the state, but that isn't enough--we must do something
more than that if we win," remarked McBryan.
"Can't you get Father Rossini busy lining up all Catholic voters whom
you cannot reach through the Knights of Columbus?" asked Stover.
"Father Rossini is already busy," replied McBryan. "Last week
the bishop called all the priests in this diocese together for a
conference. Here are the candidates they endorsed." McBryan reached
in his pocket and drew out a slip of paper. "Every one of them is
anti-Klan and five of them are Catholics. Father Rossini says that all
of the priests went home from the conference enthusiastic for these
men. You can count on the solid support of all Catholics. What we do
not get through the Knights of Columbus the priests will look after."
"Goldberg, what plan have you for lining up the Jews?" Stover asked.
"That's easy, easy, Mr. Stover--we have the B'nai B'rith organization.
In twenty-four hours I gets in touch wid every Jew in the state. In
forty-eight hours every Jew in the United States can be informed of
any matters our great organization vish to put pefore them. I will see
that every Jew in this congressional district receives instruction
tomorrow. I tinks that you can't work any faster through your Knights
of Columbus than that." He directed this last remark to McBryan.
"That's all well enough," said McBryan, "but you must remember that
this Ku Klux Klan is a powerful organization. It's an un-American
organization purposing to control politics and keep Catholics and Jews
out of office. I feel that we would be warranted in using extreme
measures to defeat them."
"Have you anything else to suggest?" Stover asked.
"I think we should do something to cause the general public to turn
against the Klan. The mayor of Freeburg is a Catholic. What would be
the effect if between now and election a number of Kluxers would take
him out and whip him?"
"That would make bezness goot for our candidates," said Isaac.
"What do you mean, McBryan?" asked Springer.
"I mean--just suppose some Klansmen would take Mayor Krouse out and
whip him, what would the public say?" asked McBryan.
"The public would say that it was a damned outrage," said Springer.
"Can it be arranged? Would Krouse stand for it?"
"Of course he will. He is a Catholic and a fourth degree Knight of
Columbus. I can arrange it with him all right," assured McBryan.
"It will not be necessary to actually whip him," said Hennesy. "A few
stripes made with a little paint across his back and a photograph made
by Croskey and the witness of a few of the boys whom we can trust, is
all that we need."
"Fine! Hennesy, your head is working," said Springer.
"That's a fine idea. Krouse being a foreigner and a Catholic, the
public will never question that the Klan did it. Mac, you make the
arrangements with Krouse. When this thing has been pulled off,
Springer, you will have a chance to tell the public of the outrage. I
will ask Governor Slydell to make a speaking trip through this part of
the state. Hennesy, you must look after the dealers in 'wet goods.'" As
Stover spoke his skinny hands were busy with each other and his most
assuring smile played about his mouth.
"I'll have no trouble with the liquor fraternity. They know that if the
Klan candidates are elected their 'cake is dough,'" Hennesy remarked.
Hennesy ordered whiskey and all but Stover drank to the success of the
campaign, before separating.