A Political Kidnapping

In a little city of the west the best citizens decide the community needs reforming and place in nomination for mayor, Arthur Taylor, a young businessman of sterling character. John Harrison, the editor of the local paper, and his daughter, Mary, promise to help the reform candidate. Joe Simms, the candidate of the opposition party, calls on the editor and asks for his assistance, but is informed that the Press intends to expose him and endorse Taylor's nomination. Simms then springs a surprise on the editor by showing him that he has bought up the mortgages on his paper and home and threatens to ruin him if he is opposed. The shock of this information brings on an attack of heart failure and the editor is found dead in his office. Mary determines more than ever to secure the election of the reform candidate and decides to run the paper. Simms calls on her and tries to dissuade the girl from her purpose, but Mary tells him that the edition of the following afternoon will completely expose him. Through a confederate in the employ of the Press. Simms lures the small staff to the railroad yards, where they are locked in a box car. The printer's devil, however, escapes and secures the release of the men, bringing them to the office in time to complete the work which Mary has been endeavoring to handle alone. The next day Simms awakens to the fact that he is a ruined man and the election of the reform candidate is assured.