Life — April 9, 1908 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

-LIFE: through Vassar College and say a few parting words. I might find something” —— But Metcalfe was on his job and held him sternly down. It was not until Albany was reached, however, that the real excitement began. Itseems that Governor Hughes had been so busy reading anony- mous letters on the racing ques- tion, and preparing them for the Legislature, that he had not been apprised of the great event. When he found that Anthony Comstock was going to leave the country, his rage knew no bounds. The first intimation of his concern was contained in a mes. sage from Metcalfe to this office: Lire, N. Y.: Hughes stopped car here. Uneasy over Dub Comstock’s de- parture. He's trying his best to stop racing, gambling and other evils. Must have Comstock’s help. Says he has too much to do alone, anyway. Can you make suggestion so car can be released ? j.S.M. We immediately wired back as follows: Consult Taft. To which we received the following reply: Lire, N. Y: ft won't commit himself until he can talk with Theodore over long-distance telephone. Theodore dictating message to Congress. Time presses. Dinner at Maxim's is growing cold. Anthony restive. J.S.M. After a hurried consultation, we sent the following: Get Taft to insist upon interrupting Theodore, if possible. Even slight delay in message to Congress may help country, In meantime, get Jim Keene to sce Hughes at once. He is key to situation. Keene can do it if any man can. Lye. The result proved the wisdom of our judgment and revealed the fact—hitherto unsuspected—that as a master of diplo- macy and oratory, J. R. Keene has no equal. The true version of Mr. Keene’s remarkable speech to Governor Hughes has never been given. It follows. The Zip, with its famous occupants, had been detained by the police. This gave Tony a chance to walk about and a sharp eye had to be kept upon him. All was breathless with lement pending the action of the Governor. The moments were passing; there was a hush of expect- ancy. Suddenly, contrary to all precedent, the tall form of Governor Hughes, rising to nearly five feet five, his inter nationally famous whiskers freshly groomed, appeared. His manner was quiet and impressive. But as soon as he began to speak, it was evident that there was trouble ahead. “Members of the Legislature,” he began, “I have just learned that there is a plot on hand to remove from this country the noble Anthony Comstock, in whose steps I am humbly trying to follow. Several ladies, of hitherto irre- proachable character, have been seen recently on our racing tracks betting gloves with as many as six buttons. Think of it! I have myself seen a number of boys on the open street play- ing the carnal game of craps. It is even getting to be so that the Baptist Church permits dancing in its midst. Where, I Who can take Antho: place, even for say, is this to stop? a minute?” He paused, and even-as he did so the crowd parted, and a handsome, Apollo-like figure stepped forward. James R. Keene had obeyed his country’s call. He had arrived at the critical moment. As he began speaking, a deep silence fell over the entranced audience. In a few moments every clergyman in the room was shedding tears. When he finished there wasn’t a dry eye in the house except those belonging to the New York Sur reporters. He turned toward the Governor. “You,” he replied, impressively, “‘you, sir, are the man to We had to keep a sharp eye on Tony