The Red Cloud chief., 1902-04-11
POLITICS AT
copytish, 1909, ., Daily story Pub Co, ~
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by w. II. DUFFY.

All during the sixty days strenuous
Efforts had been made on the part of
the majority to elect Il senator. but
during the campaign Of the fall before
It had been openly stated that the leg
islator of the coming session who did
not go home fixed" for life would be
foolish. Both sides we're expected to
Use enormous sums of money, and the
5enatorship was expected to be the
prize of the man who was willing to
pay the most for IL. This was the
sentiment of a large number Of people
during the campaign.
Long before the first ballot for
the senatorship had been cast on the
second Tuesday of the session. the
leaders of the majority had decided
that as they had elected "a majority
of the members of the body, there
would be no necessity for them TO buy
the votes already theirs. They held
that the men could not have the
gall to go back OF the constituents
who had elected them, and besides, a
clean election would give their party
IA large amount OF prestige, as il would
serve to give a knockout blow to the
rumors Of corrupt uses of money in
legislative halls, when their party was
in control.
When the first ballot was cast, the
votes of the majority were badly scat.
tered. but day by day, as the ~balloting
proceeded, and the session came near.
or to an end. 1t was evident hat the
votes OF the majority were simmering
down to two candidates. but it was
also evident that this state of affairs
was the result OF the clever wire-pull.
ing Of the opposition. as the candi.
dates were old rivals and one would
never give way to the other.
The minority, on the other hand.
had been hanging closely together. and
It, was clear that they were being
Unanswered by a clever political
4chemer. During the early part Of
he session that had cast their 35 votes
Cor former Representative Moore, a
nan who had borne a spotless reputa.
ton, but on the 45th day Of the sit.
ting they switched and cast their vote
solidly for a man who had the repu.
tation of being the smoothest politi.
clan in the ~state-John Flaherty-
who since his defeat for Congress four
years before had held a fat federal po-
sitlon and had built up a political ma.
chine powerful in its environment.
When the minority switched to Flaher.
ty the leaders of the other side began
to look worried, for they knew that
the skillful politician would stop at
nothing to securc IN election.
Thus 1t went on during the remain
ing days of the session. enough men,
bers to cause a deadlock or elect the
minority candidate. remaining stub
born and mean, on account of not re-
ceiving the price for their vote.
The session had just taken a five.
minute recess. after a twelve hours
sitting. and the members were just
getting back to their seats from the
saloon across the street. The floor of
the House was crowded with lobbyists,
for the minority who had been
brought from all parts of the state to
lend moral courage" to the men who
were to be purchased, and was imme-
diately whispered around that Flaher-
ty had fixed the insurgent members of
the majority and that he would be
elected on the next ballot.
The session was called to order, and
an intense quiet seemed to come over
the packed throng.
1--WE will now proceed with the two
hundred and eighteenth ballot for the
election of a United States senator to
represent the state" began the presi.
dent.
II demand e. call of the house."
shouted q senator who was seated
with the majority. Everyone knew
that this was merely q subterfuge to
gain time, for 1t could be told at a
glance that every seat was full. Ev.
eryone wondered what was to DO
gained by the delay. and as soon as
the call began three leaders of the ma
jority were seen to approach each other
and hold a hurried consultation. The
clerk rushed through the call with
marvellous rapidity.
THE members of the joint assem-
bly, are all present, Mr.. President"
he announced.
THE sergeant-at-arms will see that
each member remains in his seat un.