Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1906-07-06
THE DECIDING
VOTE
By d. j. LAYTON
(oopYfight, BY Joseph u. Bowles,J

1t was the last day Of the legislative
session. For four years the state had
been unrepresented In the United States
senate, Tho factional quarrel In the
] lean party unimportant at first,
ONE national question. The
country was divided into Allison
la. anti-Allison adherents.
Allison had begun the present session
with solid arraJ Of % votes. He
craT'led slowly up TO 90, and there he
stepped Arguments, threats, persua-
siCl availed nothing. Every scheme
known to political science had been
tried. Dickers and deals had been met
with counter deals. Tho Democrats and
the anti-Alllson men could not combine
and Allison could not land another sin.
Gle supporter. Another deadlock
teemed imminent.
Each day for over week. the clerk
had announced: For John Allison,
20; for Randolph Keener, 2C for
Henry Thomas, 4. Necessary TO I
choice, So" and tho speaker, a bitter
Anti" had drawled out, with his
nasal twang and with an increasing
satisfaction as the prospect for an cleo
ton lessenel, "and no one having ma
jority OF the votes Of those present aud
voting, | declare no election"
1t was II o'clock; the final ballot
would be taken at noon.
Allison was sitting in the governors
private room. talking with the goyerno:
and the secretary Of state
Allison was a tall, heavy man, who
dressed well, but quietly. In his lapel
he wore a plain Grand Army button.
His was a strong, kindly face, though
careWorn.
~ l thought that crowd were sim
Gel in their principles" said he, "!f
thee; methods were cleaner than mine.
would respect them at least. and would
have stepped aside long ago hut It's not
reform they're after. They want to lick
ne, Thomas ran up against ire in 4
financial deal some years ago, and he's
been after NE ever since.
-Four men oppose our %. Speaker
Henry, owned body and soul by
Thomas; Snyder and Hall, two unmiii-
gated rascals II there ever were any,
and old Wood, the only member they
have from the country, and the only
honest one they have. Why, he really
thinks Thomas never spent dollar IN
this fight. had some hopes that he
might be with US, but he's as stubborn
rs a mule. | had 4 talk with him last
night
We're stronger now that We ever
were, but 1t seems that Thomas holds
the winning card. He has powerful
friends and powerful interests, and
come way he has the press of the country
back Of him. He seems certain to de-
feat ne now, but there's reckoning"
The auditors Office was the headquar.
tiers Of the "Antis." 1t was unoccupiel
save for two men. They were talking
together In low tones.
One was tail and thin, with peculiar
cast in his eye. His ewes never met you
sQuarely; they were over You. besideyou,
beyond you, but never at you. lie was
Snyder, n member Of the house and
leader Of the Thomas forces. He was
nervously chewing the end OF cigar
jerking his sentences out rapidly. Il
tell you, Hall" he said to his compan-
ion, dark, heavy man with n cold, i'm.
passive countenance, 81 tell you, II hal
TO be done. | saw Allison have him IN
tow yesterday, and you know what that
means. | knew something was up. |
thought Of those mortgages the first
thing Woods all right, but he's
cranky and he's a shark for money.
He's got a couple OF mortgages on that
place Of his, and he'd turn corner
quick as creased lightning to save that
precious farm, You bet Allison had
something to say about them. | tell You
II was what saved us this time. We've
got EN- sure now, and with Allison
safe at home and not mussln up things
down at Washington, we'll see who gets
the Offices"
Snyder" said Hall, rouslng him.
telf; you've made n mistake approach.
ing Wood about those MORTGAGES. |
know Wood, used TO court one OF his
daughters, and he's qs straight as a
string He's one man thatll stan !
without hitchns. He'd kick the traces
pretty quick II ho knew some Of the
tricks we've been working He may
have changed, though" he went on.
musingly; people do. did. There
was time when would have Knocked
q man down II he had tried to Influ.
encs my vote, and now these lobbyists
come to ne the FIRST one. I'm inclined
10 take your Judgment, for you've got
q long head and a sharp eye, when
there's rascullty going on. Let's get
up"
The rasping voice Of the speaker
called the assembly to order.