THE night following the election jollification the Stover-McBryan machine gang met in their consultation room where they were in close touch with Hennesy's beverages and where they had the greatest secrecy. In addition to Stover, McBryan, Hennesy, Goldberg and Springer, McMichael, an attorney and special political advisor of McBryan, was present. "What's to be done now? What's the next move?" asked Springer.
"About what?" asked Hennesy.
"About the election and the Klan," Springer explained.
"Well, the Klan won the election and it looks to me like my next move had better be to some locality where the night gown devils have not yet made their appearance."
"What's the matter, Hennesy? Gettin' cold feet?" asked Stover.
"Well, prospects here in Wilford Springs are not looking any too bright, I'm frank to admit," Hennesy replied.
"Don't give up and quit the game. Stay with us and we'll whip them yet," McBryan assured him.
"Well, I've a good business here, as you all know, and am perfectly willing to stay if there is any chance to win; but with Dan Brown, a Klansman, elected sheriff, and C.M. Stanton, another Klansman, elected county attorney, it looks mighty bad for my line of business."
"We'll drive the Klan out of business, and when the sheriff and attorney find themselves without the support of hundreds of Klansmen whom they are expecting to back them when they take office, they will become tame enough."
"But how are you going to destroy the Klan? It's growing stronger every day," said Stover. "I don't see why people are such fools," he added.
"I had a little talk with our friend here, Mike McMichael, and he has a plan that I think will be a winner if it is carried out. I asked Mike to come down tonight and explain it to you," said McBryan.
McMichael rose, spread his legs apart, and clasped his hands behind him. (A favorite position when addressing a jury.) "Gentlemen," he began, "the situation is serious. Something needs to be done and done quickly. You boys laid a plan and executed it in an effort to carry the election. The plan seemed feasible enough, but it did not work. It was bungled in several particulars. I am attorney for Krouse in the damage suit in which he is suing the county for permitting mob violence, and it's doubtful if you fellows have furnished enough evidence to make it stick. It was a mistake to paint his back instead of whipping him. A light whipping wouldn't have hurt that husky Dutchman. At any rate, he should have been willing to submit to a mild whipping for the good of the cause."
"I think he would have submitted to it if we had asked it, but we were of the opinion that painted stripes would do just as well," McBryan, interrupting him, explained.
"Yes, and there's where you 'pulled a bone-head.' If the stripes on his back had been actual bruises you could have called in men who are not in our gang to see them who would have served as witnesses; as it is, we are going to have a hard time to convince a jury that he was actually whipped, unless we are very successful in selecting a jury.
"Now whatever is done from now on must be more regular. Mr. McBryan referred to a conversation we had in which I suggested a plan to eliminate the Klan.
"What I propose is this: The governor has an opportunity to do something before the close of his term. We will get him to start a suit to oust the Klan from the state. This can be done on the grounds that the organization is inimical to the peace and safety of the state, or that it is an organization doing business in the state for profit without a charter. We will have the governor and attorney-general hold inquisitions in those localities in the state where the Klan is strongest. These inquisitions will not only serve to get evidence of use in the ouster suit but will be the means of exposing some of the fellows who are hiding behind a mask and wielding a powerful influence."
"Like Judge Rider and Harold King," said Stover.
"Exactly so," continued McMichael. "I want to see them give this young Judge the third degree."
"That sounds goot, very goot, but suppose the governor won't act. Vat den?" Goldberg asked.
"He'll act, all right, if it is put up to him strong. He wants to run for senator, and he knows that he won't stand a ghost of a show unless the Klan is gotten rid of."
"What do you think of this idea, Stover?" Springer asked.
The banker rubbed his skinny hands together for a moment before replying.
"I think it would be worth the effort just to expose Judge Rider and that young upstart, Harold King. If the ouster suit does not come to trial soon it will have a good effect on the public while it is pending. There are a lot of folks who won't have anything to do with an organization which is being sued."
"I suggest that Stover and McMichael act as a committee to go to the capital and lay this plan before Governor Slydell." This suggestion from Hennesy met with unanimous approval.
"And tell 'em to get beezy to vonce," said Goldberg, "for ve have no need of Kluxers, the B'nai B'rith and Knights of Columbus can take care of everytings. Ain't that right, McBryan?"
"Sure, it is right," affirmed the Irish politician.
McMichael and Stover left on the early morning train for the capital city.
Governor Slydell, smarting under the defeat of his candidate for governor, was only too glad to act on the suggestion of Stover and McMichael. An ouster suit was filed in the Supreme Court and an inquisition, the first of a series, was arranged to be held in Wilford Springs the following week.
When the day for the inquisition at Wilford Springs came, a large crowd packed the court room. The interest was like to that of the old Roman populace when they assembled at the arena to witness the throwing of some Christian or enemy of Caesar to the wild beasts. On this occasion there were those present who hoped to see some prominent Klansman devoured.
Judge Rider was the first witness called. The examination was conducted by the attorney-general, who was assisted by the governor.
"You may state your name," directed the attorney.
"Clarence C. Rider."
"What is your vocation?"
"Attorney-at-law. At present I am judge of the district court."
"Are you a member of the Ku Klux Klan?" There was a death-like stillness in the room as the eager listeners waited for the judge's reply.
"Yes, I am," came his reply in a firm voice. There was applause from the Klan supporters, and the attorney rapped for order.
"Do you hold any official position in the Klan?"
"Yes."
"You may state what that position is."
"I am the Exalted Cyclops of Wilford Springs Klan."
"How many Klansmen belong to the Wilford Springs Klan?"
"Thirteen hundred fifty."
"Thirteen hundred fifty! No wonder this county turned up a big majority against Perdue!" the governor exclaimed. Uproarious laughter greeted this outburst of Governor Slydell. The attorney-general again pounded for silence.
"Is not this organization of which you have testified that you are the head given to acts of lawlessness?"
"No, sir."
"Isn't one of its purposes to take the law into its own hands?"
"No, sir; just the opposite is true. One of its aims is to prevent lynchings, whippings, tar and feather parties and all such unlawful acts."
"You know that members have committed acts of violence."
"I know nothing of the kind."
"The members of the Klan wear masks."
"Klansmen are permitted to wear masks only in ritualistic work and with the consent of the Grand Dragon or Imperial Wizard when on peaceful parades or when doing acts of charity."
"Won't the wearing of masks, even in this way, encourage the wearing of masks by either members or non-members when wishing to commit crimes?"
"I don't think so. Masks have been worn by men in the commission of crimes ever since there was a law."
"I would like to ask the Judge a few questions," said Governor Slydell.
"All right, governor. I'll turn the witness over to you," the attorney-general replied.
"Judge, you know that the mayor of Freeburg was whipped by masked men, don't you?"
"No, I do not. I know that the Journal stated he was whipped. Do you know that he was whipped by masked men, governor?"
"Yes," the governor answered.
"How do you know it?"
"By the evidence of Mayor Krouse himself and such honorable and credible witnesses as Pat McBryan, Springer and McMichael."
"Governor, do you know who did it?"
"No, or I would prosecute them."
"After you had had special detectives in Freeburg for three weeks and they had given up their investigations you made a speech in another state in which you said that the Klan did it."
"I believe yet the Klan did it."
"Yet you have no evidence on which to make arrests."
"No."
"Governor, did your detectives report to you that they could not secure any evidence or did they report that the whole affair was a frame-up?"
"I'm not on the witness stand," said the governor, coloring. The court room roared with laughter.
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