New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1907-11-27

"The Man of the Hour which
comes to the Turner Theatre on De-
cember 9Th, is a play of the hour. AS
Current Literature says athe time is
the present, the place any large city
in America, and recent political hap
penings in New York have evidently
furnished the plot"
One of the characters is an unscru-
pulous fnancier who schemes to
squeeze out of the city, by bribery
and other means, a very desirable
franchise; another is Horigan, the city
boss, a stranger to honesty, but a
bulldog in politics; still another is
Bennett, a clever, honest young man
who has been boosted into the Office of
mayor by the fnancier and Horigan
for no other reason that that they
think they can use him in carrying
through their deal.
Bennett, however, is made of differ
ent material than was expected. He
proves to be not only honest, but fear
less. He tells Horigan he intends to
veto the infamous measure, and the
scene between the two when he does
this is one of the most striking in the
play. Moreover it is worth reading
and bordering over, and for that rea-
son we are pleased to be able to pub
lish it with Mr.. Brady's permission.
Bennett is seated in his Office when
Boss Horigan enters in high state
of excitement. Then ensues the follow
ing conversation:
Horigan: I understand Phelan was
here this afternoon.
Bennett (quietly): He was.
Horigan: About what?
Bennett: Business.
Horlgan: What business?
Bennett: My business.
Horigan: Well, l want you TO IN
derstand one thing. No man can be
friendly with Horigan and Phelan at
the same time. It's him or me. Is
that plain?
Bennett (still quietly Perfectly.
And now T want you::t understand one
thing. No man can bully me, either
in this room or out of it. Is that
plain?
Horigan: Do you mean to say
Bennett: You will oblige me also
IN the near future by at least knocking
on the door before you come in. This
is my Office and no other mans.
Horigan: Do you:mean to say
Bennett: That's twice you've said
that. Is it your hearing or my speech
that is detective?
Horigan: Bennett, you and me have
got to come to show down. You're
a bright young fellow, you made
great fight and won; the public likes
you and the press likes you, and
you're the best material the party's
got today. If you do what's right,
there'll be nothing you can't have.
But you've got to do what's right.
Bennett: What do you mean by
doing what's right?
Horigan: I mean you've got to do
the square thing by them who made
you.
Bennett: And who did make me?
Horigan: Dick Horigan, Who were
you till I took you up? Nobody! If
[ didn't make you the mayor Of this
town, I'd like to know who did.
Bennett: The people did.
Horigan: The hell they did! Who
gave you the nomination?
Bennett: You. | admit that, But
the people elected me, and I'm going to
do exactly as you adyise-I'm going
to do the square thing by those who
made me.
Horigan: You mean to say
Bennett: There tits again. How
ever, I'll tell you this time. I mean
that before sign that bill I've got to
know that it's for the good, not Of the
party, not of the organization, but of
the city. l told you should keep my
oath of office. [ intend to do it.
Horigan: You'll sign that bill Or
Bennett: Or what?
Horigan: Or your political career
ends right now. You think you're on
top, and that you can stay on top
without the men who put you there.
But you can't. I can pull you down
just as easily as | put you up, and I'll
s. zar5ass