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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3875796" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-twenty-three, “Mayoral Questions“, Sunday, June 18th, 7:45 P.M. Shaw is seated. Judge Isby steps forward and takes the note cards with the first series of questions from the audience. “The first question is for Candidate Fisk. Mr. Fisk, could you explain to us how come so many of your party’s fellow candidates turned out to be magically disguised murderers and thieves? Fisk takes a moment to pause and then says, “My candidates were first recruited by me weeks ago after Judge Isby first announced this election. It was after they were chosen that the wizard Vaughn Palmer and his Gang kidnapped, killed and used magic to impersonate my friends in hopes of taking over this town. I was duped as much as the rest of you. That will not happen again, Father Valdez has used his clerical magics to verity that my current slate of candidates are the people who they claim to be.” Kate whispers, "That's probably true as far as he knows. I'm not sure I ever got straight exactly when things happened in that mess." Conrad whispers back, "Don't bet on it, I don't believe one word that man says." Isby states, “The next question is for Candidate Shaw. Mr. Shaw, how can you expect the citizens of this town to cast a straight-ticket vote for the Unity Party when several of your own candidates plan to vote otherwise?” Emery Shaw replies, “I believe that I know what you are referring to. Many of you present here today were at the combined Merchant’s Association and Vigilance Committee Meeting where the incorporation issues were settled. At that meeting Manual Escobar told Frank Condon that he would vote for him if allowed to, in fact, it was that statement that helped to sway Condon to vote as he did that day, otherwise none of us would be here now. Manuel Escobar is a man of his word, and having given it, I fully expect him to keep it. So he will cast his Mayoral vote for Frank Condon rather than to me because of the promise made that day. I fully respect that, a man’s word is his bond and should be adhered to regardless of changing circumstances. Likewise, the other two who people who you are referring to are Joe Riser and Judge Lacey, who both previously belonged to the Integrity Party that Elihu Upton had founded. They both promised to support Upton and given that Upton is still in the race as an independent candidate I fully expect them to fulfill those previous promises and vote for him. Beyond those three prior commitments I expect all other votes cast by the Unity Party Candidates to be for our own candidates.” "We do know his mind was influenced," Kate said, then listened to Emery's answer. "He also said earlier that he expects to be working with representatives from the other parties. I had forgotten Mr. Escobar's offer to Frank Condon." Conrad whispers back "Shaw's right, Escobar needs to keep the promise he made." Back at the Lucky Lady, Not sure what to make of a tie in the outcome, Jake lets it pass and goes about ordering his meal. While waiting for it he searches out former Governor Safford. "Well played Governor. You should be proud of your finish position." Safford replies, "I would have been more satisfied if I was now in your position Mr. Cook, but in truth I had not anticipated winning. It is good to see you again, I trust that all has gone well since we met last month?" Jake says. “Yes, I have been fortunate." Jake makes some small talk with the Governor before asking, "Did you know Zachariah Chandler?" Safford says, "President Grant's Interior Secretary? From Michigan I believe, staunch opponent to slavery before the war, very critical of Lincoln during the war despite belonging to the same political party. I met him on a few occasions back when I was Governor. He was running for President in the 1880 election when he died. Why do you ask?" Jake replies, "It is a rather delicate matter, one that I ask you to keep in confidence." Jake accepts the plate of food he ordered and chooses to eat it standing and talking privately with Safford. "It has come to my attention that someone could have been blackmailing him. With him dead, it may be a moot point, unless the debt is still being held over family members or even political associates. It appears it involved a significant amount of money to help with the legal costs in the Hayes Tilden dispute. It really is none of my business...." Jake chews and swallows a mouthful of food. "... but I happen to despise blackmailers. Are you aware of any strange coincidences involving Chandler, this area or someone in this room?" Safford replies, "None that I am aware of. You are being rather cryptic, perhaps if you shared more of the details." Jake sighs, "Yes, but then if you do not have knowledge you become involved. Who knows, it might be dangerous for you or I to go poking a hornets nest. It might be the kind of thing that could spoil a mans further political aspirations, if he had any. Sometimes it is best if these old problems just fade away instead of haunting the next generation. I would rather not drag folks through the mud if the sins are in the past and buried." Jake chews another mouthful of food. "Ah, well, the gods loath a coward. Before I go any further, would you care to share with me the names of anyone here in Promise City that you consider to be a friend? Besides our famous Mr. Van Horne of course." Safford replies, "I have two friends in this town. One is Judge Nathan Isby. The other is the Wells Fargo agent Kris Wagner. Why?" Jake nods. "I ask just to make sure I was not going to open my mouth and put both feet in it," he gives the man a grin. "I need to head back to the table soon, so I will be brief. Do you have any reason to believe that Mr. Evan Adair wields undue influence in the Republican party or with any friends and family of the late Mr. Chandler?" Safford replies, "Mr. Adair? The gambler? I am not aware that he has any political friends or aspirations." Jake shrugs, "Thank you, I just needed to ask. Perhaps it is much ado about nothing then." The three dealers return from their meal break upstairs. Van Horne had not dismissed either of the other dealers this time as he did with the prior table consolidations, instead he tells Job Kane "Go get some rest, we'll let you know when you are needed." Job Kane heads out the door. Van Horne and Isaac Stevens head over to the two remaining tables. According to the name plates and respective chip piles Van Horne's player consist of Evan Adair, Brady Hawkes, Alice Ivers and Brett Maverick. Steven's players are Jake Cook, Commodore Duvall, Moria Enion and Bat Masterson. The players start to return to their places and the crowd settles in to watch. At the Town Hall, Frank Condon has been asked several questions regarding the Hooded Riders. He does his best to deflect those, renouncing Ashley King’s actions, and swearing that when he is elected mayor vigilante justice will not be tolerated. Shaw is asked, “Candidate Shaw, during the riot three weeks ago several people were killed including Niles Hoover because of Marshal Berg’s decision to fire on the crowd. Your Town Marshal candidate has come out in support of that decision. Do you also agree with what happened?” Shaw replies, “It is always easy for anybody to look back in hindsight and assess blame, it is much harder to actually be in such a situation. I served as a Union Military Officer during the Civil War and fought in several battles, many as a unit commander. I was a witness to what transpired that night and assure you that Marshal Berg saw himself as the commanding officer of a combat situation and acted as he thought best at the time. So yes, I support his decisions, had he done otherwise, and given into the crowd’s demands then vigilante justice then mob rule would have become the rule in this town and we would now be no better off than Galeyville.” Kate tells Conrad, "I was there too, there was nothing else to be done. I'd have preferred no gunplay, but the crowd was spoiling for a fight. If the law hadn't been willing to fire, the crowd would have run them over." Chester sits with Clarisse in the audience for the debate. He gets a sour look on his face when Frank Condon speaks, but keeps quiet. Chester does cough when Condon talk about people in Unity Party having "questionable character." He scowls and begins to leave when Condon mentions him by name. Clarisse convinces him to stay. Fisk is asked, “Candidate Fisk, during the last six months there have been multiple times when your name was linked to people who turned out to be affiliated with the Cowboy Gang. Can you explain that?” Fisk rises to speak and Chester pays attention with bemusement. He listens for how Fisk will gloss over his connection to the Cowboy Gang. Fisk replies, “I certainly can. I believe in the Constitutional right of a person being innocent until proven guilty and being permitted the right to a fair trial. I am a lawyer and I am willing to defend the accused. Until Mr. Upton arrived the only alternatives for a person wanting legal defense were myself and Attorney Berg. But even before becoming the Town Marshal Attorney Berg had a reputation with being close to the Earps, so people were hesitant to go to him.” "Everyone knows Mr. Berg is honest and would vigorously defend any client of his," Kate whispered indignantly. "They choose Fisk because they feel they're in like company." Conrad says, "How true, and Berg won't defend anybody he thinks is guilty. Fisk has never turned down anybody with money, no matter how guilty they are" Frank Condon is asked, “Mr. Condon, past and present members of your political party have been accused of a human-only bias. You were once friends with the wood elves in town but then stopped. We saw that you and Mr. Escobar have reconciled your differences, but how do we know that isn’t just short-term political opportunism?” Condon replies, “I resent that question. I do no treat people differently because of race . If you have any doubts of that please ask Mr. Escobar. Or better yet, you can the young Elvan woman seated in the front row, Miss Liela Morales, who this evening at dinner accepted my proposal of marriage.” Kate stared for a moment, then laughed lightly. "I'm glad he's found someone to be happy with. I am surprised, but because I'd heard no inkling of this at all." Conrad whispers back "Well, they have been inseparable since the Davis wedding two weeks back. Please feel free to be inspired." "You always inspire me," she smiled and warmly squeezed his hand. The Judge states, “The next question is for Frank Condon. Mr. Condon, Item number two on your party’s platform states that ‘The Law and Order Party promises to maintain the sanctity of the holy day by prohibition of the sale and consumption of all alcoholic beverages on Sundays except for that used during religious ceremonies run by the clergy of the Roman-Greek Church.’ A significant number of people within this town believe in other deities than those of the Roman-Greek Church, and the town itself has a Celtic/Mexican Church, so isn’t it improper for the town to make laws favoring one specific religion?” Condon replies, “My Party does recognize that there are other religions, my own fiancé worships other deities, but what we are acknowledging here is that the Greek-Roman church is the dominant religion of the United States and also the majority religion within this community. You can look no further than the paper currency of our county to see that. In March we held a festival to the Greek-Roman gods that included participation from all. And the Goddess Artemis has even visited this town during this election cycle. The town showing respect for those deities is therefore fully appropriate.” Kate hissed and her face turned red, her grip on Conrad's hand getting tighter. "This is exactly the kind of thing I was afraid of." Conrad whispers back, "Don't take it so personally, I'm sure he is only mentioning it to associate her visit with Doctor Eaton being there too." Kate says, "How many people even knew she was here? The whole town? Why does he even know? That visit had nothing to do with anything he needed to know." Kate clamped her mouth shut to keep her voice from rising. Conrad replies, "The Doctor was also present at the church with his wife when the Goddess spoke to her. Beth Eaton told her whole sewing circle that she was present to see the Goddess and that Diana spoke to her. But I don't believe that you were mentioned." Kate says, "That's not the point. I don't mean he knows about me, just..." She shook her head. "Never mind." Frank Condon continues, “And your question also draws attention to one other key distinction between my party and that of my competitors. We HAVE a party platform. It has appeared in print and my fellow candidates and I have spoken to it at length. The other two parties have voiced criticisms of what we stand for and vague platitudes of their own but I have yet to see either of them being willing to put in writing what they stand for!” A long pause follows. Judge Isby is then inundated by several hastily written note cards from the audience. The Judge looks them over and says, “Well now, it appears that a number of you share Mr. Condon’s concern. These questions are all worded differently but the essence of them is to ask Mr. Fisk and Mr. Shaw to articulate their Party’s platform. I find the question valid. Would either of you gentlemen care to respond?” Kate nodded and whispered. "I'd like to hear that myself." Fisk is quick to answer “I will. The Freedom Party’s stands for maintaining the status quo as far as free enterprise is concerned. British Economist Adam Smith has stated in his excellent book ‘The Wealth of Nations’ how a free market economy will bring prosperity through capitalism and this town is a shining example of that! The town is here because of the mines and ranches. The businesses here are the infrastructure needed to maintain those economic interests. The successful saloons and other businesses are those that meet the demands and desires of their customers and those no not need strict regulations. The Freedom Party stands for freedom of religion. We will not declare one day to be a holy day based upon a single religion. The Freedom Party is for freedom of expression, we will not impose strict dress codes or tell people how to live in the privacy of their own homes. And finally, the Freedom Party is for maintaining peace through strong and responsible law enforcement. Prosper Deacon McCoy will use the same good judgment as Marshall as he has at the Palace Saloon and will work very closely with Deputy Sheriffs Nagel and Leslie to uphold the peace in eastern Cochise County.” Kate comments, "That's some fast talking, but mostly about what they won't do, not what they will." Conrad replies, "You noticed that too? I'm curious if Chumbley did." "I'd be surprised if he didn't. Mr. Chumbley is generally very sharp when it comes to those things." Kate sat up straighter as Emery stepped forward, still trying to control her distress and pay attention. Chester listens to Fisk talk about his party platform. Leaning close to Clarisse, he whispers in her ear, "That sounds better than 'Vote for us. We don't kill people and blow up their homes.' Freedom is all well and good, but without rules, people can't live together. Promise City under the Freedom Party would be wild and unsafe." Clarisse replies, "He is clearly exaggerating what the Law and Order Party plans to do. If they are in charge of the town it is only the outlaws and people like Fisk who will be at a disadvantage, things will be better off for the rest of us decent folk." Emery Shaw has been taking notes while Fisk spoke. He steps up to the podium and takes out a piece of paper. Shaw states, “I have written here the Mission Statement of the Unity Party. This summarizes who we are and what we believe it. I will read it and then respond to our position on each of the seven points of the Law and Order Platform which Mr. Fisk also touched upon many of in his response. The Unity party seeks for the people of Promise City to work in unison with one another for the betterment and growth of the community. We seek inclusion of all citizens in this process regardless of occupation, religion, race, gender, age or social class. We seek laws that will not only reflect the opinion of the majority but also respect the rights and freedoms of the minority. Through this vision we will have a City of Promise. " Kate nodded, ready to hear something solid. Shaw continues, "Law and Order point one seeks mandatory terms of imprisonment for all violent crimes. The Unity Party agrees with that in theory, punishment should match the crimes, but we feel that Judge Isby should be afforded the discretion he has exhibited at reaching a fair decision on punishments rather than mandating those for him. He is our Judge and should be allowed to continue to judge unhindered. Law and Order and point two discusses keeping Sunday holy for the Greek-Roman Church. The Unity Party itself is comprised of believers of four different religions and will not seek laws to place one religion above another. We will want to ensure continued respect for the religions of all people in town and allow for the practice of each person's own religion to continue in an unobstructed manner." Kate nodded, there was no surprise there. He continues, "Law and Order point three will eliminate all gambling and prostitution within the town boundaries. Their point four concerns a town dress code. And their point five establishes restricted hours for saloons. The Unity Party does not support those positions as stated. We believe those businesses should be allowed to operate as the owners see fit. However, we do recognize that others living in town are also entitled to the right to a good night’s sleep, so we would propose that at certain hours of the night excessive noise should be curtailed, by shutting the windows and having people converse inside rather than on exterior porches where voices carry." "A positive step," Kate whispered He continues, "Law and Order point six puts restrictions on carrying firearms. Tombstone has such an ordinance but it is selectively enforced. I would suggest that the various elected Officials work with both town and county law enforcement to find a workable plan. Law and Order point seven encourages new families to move here. The Unity Party supports that position as well. As I stated in my opening remarks, I see us not as a small mining town but the potential future of a great thriving city, which can only be achieved with continued increases in population." "I would have liked to have heard things a little more solid, but I suppose until you really get into the work, you can't be too specific," Kate whispered. Shaw concludes, "And the other issue which the Freedom Party emphasized is a market-driven free enterprise system. The Unity Party strongly supports that position as exhibited by the diverse economic interests shared by the members of our committee. Thank you.” Judge Isby says, "Well, by my watch it is almost 8:30 PM so we will adjourn at this point in time. Tomorrow will be the last day of campaigning. Tuesday is election day, and no campaigning will be permitted. Good luck to all of the candidates and I hope that all of you do your civic duty and vote. Good night."</blockquote>

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