Framing Framers (1917)

Ambitious Gordon Travis, is a reporter for the Sylvester Brandon's newspaper, gets mixed up in the political rivalry between two candidates for mayor when he covers the aborted wedding of Ruth Westfall, the daughter of candidate Harrison Westfall. Because Gordon uncovers potentially damaging information about Westfall, the politician sends two thugs to beat him senseless. Dazed and disheveled, he is picked up by Brandon, Westfall's rival, who has bet that any tramp, when properly attired, can win acceptance into society, even to the point of marrying a blue blood. Gordon, playing along with the scheme, courts and wins Ruth Westfall, which Brandon hopes will spell political ruin for his rival. After compelling both of these corrupt schemers to drop their mayoral bids, Gordon decides to seek the office himself and wins the election and a wife.