The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-10

what did no want 10 SEQ You ah0utr'
"A business matter"
What business mattcrT'
Mime
yours, ehTp Bneercd HorrIgan.
"Well, young man, want you 10 un.
derxtand here and now that no one
can be chummy with Jim PheIan and
be my man at the same time. Got that
through your hcadf'
"yes," asscntcd Bennett; ~ think
have, And while we're speaking plain.
ly want you 10 understand here and
now that no one can bully me. either
here or elsewhere, and that I'm no
mans man. Have you got that through
your headY'
Horrigan stared In savage amaze
ment. He doubted II his ears had not
played him false. Bennett had always
treated the boss with uniform cour-
tesy, and Horrigan belonged TO the
too numerous class who do not under
stand until too late the difference be-
tween gentle breeding and weak COW.
ardice. That d man should speak to
him courteously and not interlard his
talk with oaths, obscenity or rough
ness seemed TO Horrigan, as 1t does to
many another boor, an evidence Of h.
midIty and lack of virility. A Damas-
Gus blade Ia n far more harmless look
Ing weapon than bludgeon, yet 1t ID
capable when the necessity arises OF
far deadiier work.
II is only the man whose gentleness
has not granite strength as its founda.
tion who deserves the newly popular
term Of "mollycoddle."
Had Horrlgan's large experience
with men been extended to embrace
this fact he would probably never have
picked out Aiwyn Bennett In the first
place ns candidate for mayor nor
deemed the younger man fit tool for
the organizations crooked work. The
French mobiles OF the old regime, whose
polish OF manner was the envy of the
world. fought like devils on occasion
and went to death on the scaffold With
a smile and jest on their lips, while
many brutal dcmagogue In the same
circumstances broke down and scream
ed for mercy However, Horrigan
chanced to be more familiar with the
history OF the organization than with
that of France: hence. deeming Ben.
nett's reply mere sporadic dash Of
defiance from d properly cowed spirit,
he resolved to crush the rebellion at
blow.
"Don't give me any insolencew he
roared. II won't stand for II. and
Moreover" quietly continued Ben
nett. as though the boss had not
spoken. II shall be very much obliged
II In future you viii knock at my door
instead OF bursting In on me. This Is
my private office, not yours"
ado you mean to-
"I've explained as clearly as can
Just what mean. II you don't under
stand me can't supply you with In
telllgence."
Bennett" said the boss, his burn.
Ing rage steadled down to white
heat, fur more dangerous, but less In
coherent, "you and me are talking too
much and saying too little. We've got
to come to showdown. You're clev-
or boy and you made rafting good
fight, and you're on the right side OF
the public and OF the press too. You're
the best material we've got, and IL you
try and do the right thing there's no
limit to what you can rise to-but only
II you do the right thing"
"'The right thing" echoed Bennett.
''What do you mean by the right
thing?"
II mean you've got to do the right
thing by the men who put you where
you are today"
That's fair. But who put me where
am todayT"
Il did,, Dick Horrigan. Who ever
heard OF you till took you up? No
body. If / didn't make you mayor,
who did, I'd like to know"
"The voters. The people OF this
city"
"The voters" scoffed Horrigan. "The
deuce they did! Who had you nomi.
natedW
"You did. But It was the public who
elected me, and Pm going to obey
your orders In one thing, I'm going to
do the right thing by the men who
put me where am today I'm going
to pay the voters for their trust In me
by giving them a fair and square ad-
ministratlon. In the case Of this Bor-
ough Street railway franchise bill, for
Instance" tapping the document lying
before him on his desk, "before sign
that bill | intend to make sur1 It's for
the good OF the people, that 1t Is for
the good of the city, not merely for
the good of Richard Horrigan and a
clique OF nls friends and heelers. No,
don't swear It'll do you no good. I'm
firm on this matter. If you're discon-
tented with me it's your own fault.
warned you months ago that II !
was elected | should keep my oath Of
office. AS for this Borough bill"-
"As for this Borough BILL" broke Ia
Horrlgan savagely, you'll sign 1t. II
you DON'T