The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-18
POLITICS AT MANDALE.
BY W. H. DUFFY.

6I W. Il. OUFFI.
 All during tte sixty days strenuous ef- forts had been made oh the part of the majority to elect a Senator. but during the canpsign of the fall before 1t had ef the coming session who did not go heme "hxed" for life would be foolish. Both sides were expected to use enorm- ous sums of money, and the Senatorship was expected to be the prize of tho man who was wiling to pay the most for 1t. This was the sentiment of large number cf people during the campaign.
 LonE before the first ballot for the Sen Asorship had been cast on the second Tuesday of the session. the leaders Of the majority had decided that as they had elected 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 "gair' to go back on the constituents who had elected them. and. besides. a clean election would give their party q serve to give Q knockout blow to the rumors of corrupt uses of money in leg islativs halls. when their party was in control -r !. v 4 of the majority were badly scattered. but day by day, as the balloting pro- ceeded. and the session came nearer to an end, it was evident that the votes of the majority were simmering down to two candidates. but 1t was also evident that this state Of afrairs was the result of the clever wire-pulIing of the opposition. as the candidates were old rivals and one would never give way to the other.
 The minority. on the other hand. had been hanging closely together. and 1t was clear that they were being mahoeuvred by a clever political schooner. During the their thirty-nve votes TOT former Repre- sentative Moore. a man who had borne a spotless reputation, but on the 45th day of the sitting they switched and cast the reputation of being the smoothest politician in the State-John Flaherty- who since his defeat for Congress four years before had held fat Federal po- sitton and had built up political ma the minority switched to Flaherty the leaders of the other side began to look worried, for they knew that the skillfui politician would stop at nothing to secure
 Thus 1t went on during the remaining days of the session. enough members to cause a deadlock or elect the minority candidate, remaining stubborn and mean. on account of not receiving the price for their vote.
 The session had just taken a five-min- ute recess, after 6 twelve hours sitting. and the members ,, were ere just getting b3Sk ass 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 immediately whispered around that Flah- erty had fixed the insurgent members of the majority and that he would be elect ed on the next ballot.
 The session was called to order. and an intense quiet seemed to como over the packed throng.
 We will now proceed with the two huSlredth and eighteenth ballot for the election of a United States Senator to represent the State" began the President
 T demand a call of the house." shout cd Senator who was seated with the majority. Everyone knew that this was merely a subterfuge to gain time. for 1t could be told at a glance that every seat was full Everyone wondered what was to be gained by the delay. and as soon as the call began three leaders of the majority were seen to approach each oth- CT and hold a hurried consultation. The clerk rushed through the call with mar Telous rapidity.
 ''The members of the joint assembly are all present. MT. President" he an- nounced.
 The sergeant-at-arms will see that each member remains in hls seat unless he Is addressing the chair" announced the presiding officer. as the members be- gan to stir around, and as the three ma jority leaders took their respective desks,