The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-01

1T happened in the good old days-not
so long ago-when the State House
ring was a name to conjure with,
and the lobby was run wide open
from the second Tuesday in January
until the night of sine die adjournment.
and men fiourished and waxed fat upon
the pecuniary compliments thereof
Not that the lobby Is by any means ex-
tinct. nor that the Legislature Is now
run under the motto of the Epworth
League; but these are the foolish days
of investigation committees. and things
are not what they were. The lobby is
there-oh yes! But there are sessions
when 1t looks hungry. as it never did IN
the days of fatness-
Assembly Bill No. 21s had at last been
reported by the committee on mu-
nicipai corporations. and had p; ssed its
second reading without damaging
amendment 1t had begun to look as
though Assembly Bill No. 2l3 would stay
in the hands Of the committee on mu-
nicipal corporations indefinitely, and be
smothered in its innocent youth, al
though innocence was scarcely its
strong point IL was a charter bill,
special. cieverly concealed beneath
technical generalities. and was designed
to accrue much power and unearned
increment In the largest city in the
State-especially to the officials thereof.
Each step had been a struggle, and
the time was getting perilously short
It was now Thursday night. and the
following Tuesday would be the day
of charter election in that city. when
the new charter was scheduled 10 be
accepted at the polls by the free and
intelligent votes If the peorle. Before
that day the bill must pass the House
and the Senate. with all necessary de-
lays under rules. and must also be
signed by the Governor. No wonder
..the gang" looked anxious. and the
committee on municipal corporations
had proved expensive You can't kiss
this bill through" the chairman had
said bluntly; but it had paid to be lib
eral
Wen have to jam her through to-
night or die" unused Finnegan, elevat-
ing his legs to another chair. and sur
veying them with infinite content
Lord, we haven't ten hours TO spare.
It's lucky the Senate and the Governor
are pretty sure"
Kane grunted an assent. They were
in one of the committee rooms. hazy
with the smoke of many cigars. Winch
ell. the leader of the majority, had been
writing at the table. and now he leaned
back with a genial smile.
''Twenty-nine thirty. thirty-one. A
majority of one is pretty close. but
we've got it. Williams makes the
thirty-first vote"
Yes. and a mighty doubtful vote, up
to an hour ago. You should have heard
Finnegan sugar him into it; Williams
swore that he only did 1t for pure love
of Finnegan, but he knew that his con-
stituents would everlastingly rip him
up the back for voting with the gang
Hang his constituents mumbled
Wincheu Hell bear watching yet.
He'd give his last pair OF socks to worm
out of putting himself on record It
takes these jays from the agricultural
counties TO balk; but what with Finne-
gan's sugar. and my warning that I'd
smash every huckleberry patch bill he
put up if he voted with the opposition.
guess we have him fairly safe. tn
have to come up tonight. or never"
winchen chuckled as he slowed his
list safely in his pocket. he always en-
joyed his little skirmishes with the eau
tious gentleman from Stafford county.
who took himself so seriously, and toiled
through his brief legislative career in
the belief that he was sent here for the
good OF the State and in the undying
interests Of reform.
There was just time for dinner be-
fore the evening session would open.
and there was every reason why Win
chell and Finnegan and Kane. the hon
orable members from Hanover county,
should not be late in their seats that
night. AS Ley left the State House, a
dark, spry little man was close upon
their heels. This was Van Horn, the
leader Of the opposition. and his smile.
as he watched the broad backs ahead
of him. was a miracle OF astuteness.
For he had just received a message
from one Of his most guileful lieuten-
ants that he was in close communion
with the gentleman from Stafford in
Van horn's room, and Van Horn was
in a hurry to get there. TOO. That was
why he smiled so broadly at WinchelTs
back. and he vas still looking at peace
with himself and the world when he
entered his own room and greeted the
two in possession there.
Half an hour later. Mr.. Williams. of