The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-06-01
THE GOVERNOR
PRO ITEM =.

The legislative deadlock between BY
minister, who wanted to be q United
States senator, and Governor Wycof,
who coveted that lofty station for
himself, was coming to very nasty
pass when Wycoff's inside man, Brens-
low, UR duty in the state house lobby,
read this message from his chief:
Last count shows us one vote shy,
Bradley 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
reporters it was only another scene
in prolonged, Improbable act, but
the sharp eyes of Wycoff's lieutenant,
searching the rear seats, found Brad
ley 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. Brenslow saw his danger, and
adopted desperate tactics to keep his
man in line. Bradley's name was only
the eighth. The clerk was already
reading the. first of the AS when
Brenslow wrote on bit OF paper:
Bradley, remember your family before
any political ambition. The check is
yours. Vote yea and pay off that
mortgage tomorrow morning."
nr~,,,l,~,, ri T.
into the paper, and page whose
father held a janitor's berth under
Wycoff did the rest. The clerk was
on the first of the BIS as the gentle
man from Denham read the note and
the check under cover Of his desk. He
was trembling visibly when, after an
agonizng but wholly imaginary delay,
his name was called. He gave him.
self single moment to take breath.
The foreinser of his left hand touch
ed the perforated edge of the check
and ran along it to the corner. When
it reached there Bralley's nerve was
screwed up. They might suspect him
here, but the women at home, and his
babies
"Rrndley!" called the clerk.
"Yea!"
He mad tied the vote unless one side
lost another man. Neither did lose, as
well knew the astute newspaper
men. who instantly left their tables
and wired:
"Nnal vote tonight, l7Sth ballot,
Bradley, Denham, went over, but
otherwise Byminster's strength held,
and session adjourned with deadlock
after three months balloting. both
houses consenting to recess. Feeling
on both sides bitter. Wycoff can APP
point under constitution. but will un-
doubtedly refuse to do so. He cannot
hold both Offices, and to name himself
In present critical situation would en-
danger his party's position in the state.
He will probably block every effort to
fill Jlpate vacancy until he gets ready
toS,tl another special session legisla-
ture. He probably gains most by
delay"
II was so. Byminster was disap-
pointed. and the opposition making
triumph out of its practical defeat,
was correspondingly jubilant. If its
0SudNoI CtuIu Iot NC ClVts-
ed. then there should be no new sena-
tor until the legislators experienced
. change of heart. Meanwhile the
Wycoff agents might contribute nate
rally to rendering that process entire
" painless.
They were sitting in Byminster's
hbrary-Byminster, Seamans, the lieu
tenant governor, and Phillips, the Tri-
bune's state house man. talking about
the chances of forcing Wycof to break
the deadlock with his vested power
of appointment.
cts rough Byminster," Phillips
agreed. to keep the conversation warm,
"but I've been here a good many years
and seen lot of good men like you
90 down while they waited for some
thing to break loose. Wycoff's money
il enough to hold him in line for a
good many months yet. He won't ap-
point you except as last chance-to
save himself"
1--WE might enjoin him." suggested
Seamans. who generally had good
ideas at the wrong time, "and I'd take
the case for you, Byminster. I'd like
I'D like to have case"
Gone before You de!" laughed Phil
lips. "That would be sensation.
Billy. il you ever get n case don't
forget TO give me a tip in advance,
for"
Byminster broke in. He did not like
this chatting of his guest, even when
the parsonage happened to be only
poor, woodeny Billy Seamans, nominat-
ed as joke and elected because he
belonged to the right party and had
no duties outside certain banquet
rooms.
al believe, Phillips" he said, deep
in gloom, that there's no further use
in il. Pm in over my head now. That
hast session cost me fortune. and
the worst Of it is that it wasn't my
fortune I was spending. My, grocer
ought to be paid and my wife's winter
clothes are going to embarrass me
this season, and I'm not fit to dig up
The ruins Of my practice and make a
living"
at don't like to discourage a man."
Phillips said, "but l do"
The door bell tangled and a mes
kfenger presently handed Phillips tel
fgram. He read it mentally: