Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-22

even Graham's pity. He turned back to
his desk. II didn't mean to Brighten you,
Hawkins" he said, half alphabetically, but
you must remember that this is a different
day from that when votes were cheap and
bribery was called by its right name.
THE contribution of the Light and Power
Company is as much a campaign contribu-
ton as any part of that fund. For the last
five years we have worked only to the end
that this law should be passed. If it fails,
the party Will lose power in the state for
all time to come. We shall be cut off from
the city, state and national patronage, and
the leaders will"
He paused with shudder and it was
Hawkins who in a word epitomized the
fate. 'Jail!' he whispered, hoarsely.
But 1t was not Hawkins cue to terrorize !;
there was no profit in that.
We can't lose, guv'nor," he declared,
taking chair nearer the state chairman.
They can't even take an appeal to the
courts. Every man who has gone to the
bench in the last five years is our man
state or federal. We made this legislature
and we've got the crowd. BY this time
next month the Light and Power Company
will have the whole state for its own, and
If the people don't like 1t they can move
out"
He helped himself unrebuked to one of
Graham's private stock of cigars, and, ad-
justing his hat at a jauntier angle started
for the door. Graham checked him at the
Threshold.
What about Macy?" he asked. Gould
you get him?''
Hawkins winked expressively
Easiest part OF the job" he declared
Never cost a cent. The promise of the
governorship landed him. He thinks It's
all on the level" Then, with a careless
$50 long" he slouched out and Grahams
face lit up with momentary flash of pleas
ure.
He needed Macy more than he cared to
admit. Even when one has purchased the
legislature, 1t is better that for appear
ances sake. there should be some show of
debate. some brilliant speaker to apparently
win by his arguments the wavering voters
to his standard. Macy was just the man
and the only man.
When the independent party had been
formed five years before Graham had taken
up George Miller, had established him as
state attorney, and had made him, social
ly and politically, because his was the glib
tongue they needed.
When he had died during the last ses-
sion they were left without spokesman,
and John Macy was won over after fash
ion, but not admitted to the condolences of
the inner circle
Even at the eleventh hour, when the fruit
of five years work would be garnered or
lost Graham was still uncertain to his
man. If Macy could be led to believe that
this was a strictly party measure he would
uphold IT. He was a brilliant speaker,
fluent In thought, clear In diction and with
a fund of allusion and quotation In this
way he was convincing, though as a rule
he lacked the power of impressing the hear
with the BELIEF that ne was nlnSelt con-
WINGED. even when the clearness OF his ar
gumeut convinced others. Graham he did
not care for but he followed his leadership
for want of one more to his liking, and he
was a useful man.
Several times, on minor propositions. he
had carried the vote away from the indie
pendents and had shown his strength in
other ways disquieting to the state chair
man who was risking the work of a life
time upon the issue of the light and power
deal.
Graham had first formed the party when
a gubernatorial candidate of one of the
established parties had not given satfsfac-
ton. His independent candidate had won,
and Graham found himself able to make
his position the more secure through the
distribution of state patronage.
Then the idea of the light and power
company had come to him. A few of those
closest to him were taken into confidence.
and then began a fve-year preparation for
the steal of the franchises for which mil
lions of dollars should have been paid to
the state. Central light plants were TO be
established at convenient points where
water power facilities might be acquired by
condemnation through a commission of
their own selection, and the entire state
was to be covered by the stations. 1t was
virtually light trust and, as such, was
worth the effort.
Then 1t began to be whispered about that
q lighting company was about to be form
state, and through a few newspapers, own
ed by Graham or his friends, 1t was urged
that these public benefactors be afforded
every encouragement.
Gradually the independents appeared to