The Missing Witness (1913)
A wave of reform had swept across the city, and the head of the political machine, in order to carry the election, nominated an honorable man for city treasurer, and the entire machine ticket, through the nominee's popularity, was carried to success. The city treasurer proved to be entirely out of sympathy with the boss's policies, and insisted on conducting his department in a businesslike manner. He scorned the threats of the political leader, for his conscience was clear. The boss, however, was cunning, and charges were preferred against the city treasurer, claiming misappropriation of funds. The manufactured evidence appeared so conclusive that the treasurer was compelled to resign and he died a short time later, a disgraceful and broken-hearted man. A few years later the dead man's son became district attorney, and he devoted himself to seeking out a way to ruin the politician who had caused his father's death. Several of the boss's henchmen were indicted and purchased their freedom by confession. Then the hand of the prosecutor reached out for the city treasurer, the man who had succeeded his father, and whom he felt sure had conspired with the boss to accomplish his ruin. The treasurer, panic stricken, told the boss that unless he could protect him he would turn state's evidence. There was a quarrel and only the interference of a policeman saved the treasurer from serious injury at the boss's hands. That evening the treasurer was killed on the city streets and the boss was found bending over the body, the weapon in his hands. He was tried and found guilty, and his life would have been forfeited if the widow of the late treasurer had not come forward and testified that another man committed the crime and that the boss was innocent. She had kept silent because of the cruel wrong the politician had done the man she loved, but her sense of honor was too great to permit him to suffer for a crime he did not commit.
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GenresDrama
Short
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