The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-06-07
Copyright, 1902, by the Frank Leslie Pub.
fishing House.

/ NOpNl lEuis i3Nzs DN ife FRANK A-cHllt L ub-
fishing House.
The legislative deadlock between Bymin-
-ter, who wanted to be a United States
senator and Governor Wycof, who .covet-
ed that lofty position for himself, was com
ing to very nasty pass when Wycof's
inside man, Brenslow on duty in the state
house lobby read this message from his
chief:
! Last count shows us one vote shy. Brad
| ley. OF Denham, has mortgage on his house
three thousand. See him. Try him for
all YOU have left before they assemble for
| final ballot"
Ten minutes later the two houses reas-
sembled in Joint convention. To the re
porters it was only another scene in a
prolonged, Improbable act, but the sharp
eyes of Wycoffs lieutenant, searching the
rear seats. found Bradley, Of Denham, and
| knew that the poison he had planted in
| hurried whisper at the door was at work.
| Bradley's cheeks were chalky.
Byminster's men had temporary strength
enough to get yea and nay vote. Brens
low saw his danger and adopted desperate
tactics to keep his man in line Bradley
name was only the eighth. The clerk was
already reading the first Of the AS when
| Brenslow wrote on a bit of paper:
! Bradley, remember your family before
any political ambition. The check is
yours. Vote yea and pay off that mortgage
tomorrow morning"
Brenslow folded the check for $500 into
the paper, and "A page whose father held
"A janitor's berth under Wycof did the
| ha 10 Il, rs
as the gentleman from Denham read the
note and the check under the cover of his
desk. He was trembling visbly when, af-
| ter an agonizing but wholly imaginary de
| lay, his name was called. He gave himself
a single moment to take breath The fore
finger of his left hand touched the perfor
ated edge OF the check and ran along it to
the corner When it reached there Brad
| ey's nerve was screwed up. They might
suspect him here, but the women at home,
and his babies
"Bradley!' called the clerk
veal"
| He had tied the vote unless one side
lost another man. Neither did lose, as
well knew the astute newspaper men, who
instantly left their Ia and wired:
Final vote 1917 tonight, l78th ballot.
| Bradley, Denham, went over. but other
wise Bymnster's strength held, and SEES
| sion adjourned with deadlock after three
months baloting both houses consenting
| 20 recess. Feeling on both sides bitter.
| Wycof can appoint under constitution, but
will undoubtedly refuse to do so. He can
not hold both offices. and to name himself
| in present critical situation would endau-
ger his party's position in the state. He
| viii probably block every effort to fill sen
ate vacancy until she gets ready to call
another special session legislature He prob
ably gains most by the delay
| 1t was So Bymihster was disappointed
and the opposition, making triumph ont of
its practical defeat, was corTespondmgly
| jubiant. If its senator candidate could
| not be elected. then there should be no
new senator until the legislators expert
enced a change of heart. Meanwhile the
Wycoff agents might contribute materially
to rendering that process entirely painless.
They were sitting in Byminsters library
l-Bymnster, Seamans. the lieutenant gov
ehnor. and Phillips, the Tribune's state
house man, tarKing about the chances of
forcing Wycof to break the deadlock
with his vested power of appointment.
Its rough. Byminster," Phillips agreed.
TO keep the conversation warm, but I've
been here a good many years and seen a lot
of good men like you go down while they
waited for something to break loose Wy
coff' S money is enough to hold him in
line for a good many months yet. He
won't appoint you except as a last chance
to save himself
I'VE might enjoin him." suggested Sea
mans. who generally had good ideas at
the wrong time, "and I'd take the case for
YOU, Byminster. Td--I'd like to have a
CASE
"One before you die" laughed Phillips.
That would be "A sensation. Billy. if you
ever get case don't forget to give me
tip in advance, for
Byminster broke in. He did not like this
chatting of his guest. even when the person
happened to be only poor woodeny Billy
Seamans. nominated as a joke and elected
because he belonged to the right party and
had no duties outside certain banquet
rooms.
Il believe. Phillips" he said. deep in
gloom that there's no further use in it.
I'm in over my head now. That last SEES
sion cost me fortune. and the worst of
it is that it wasn't my fortune / was
spending My grocer ought to be paid and
my Wie's winter clothes are going to EN-
harrass me this season and I'm not fit to
carry this thing on. Iv got to dig up
the ruins of my practice and make liv-
ing
Il don't like to discourage man. Phil
lips but | do"
The door bell tangled, and a messenger
presently handed Phillips a telegram. He
read it mentally;
"WycoA speaks tonight at Buxton. eight
miles over state line. For six hours Sea
mans will be. by the constitution acting
governor. Have him act in deadlock and