The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-14
amended form was to come up for the

aldermen's consideration.
/ Every paper in the city devoted col
umns to the situation, Everywhere
was known that the boy mayor wa
tighting with all his might the bill h
| had already vetoed. Equally well wa
| 1t understood that Horrigan was max
| ing the battle Of his whole career Il
behalf OF the measure. II he could bu
induce his solid thirteen" aldermen /,
stand firm and could maintain his holt
on Roberts for the fourteenth, al
would. be plain sailing and the bil
would pass by two-thirds vote ii
spite of the mayors veto.
More than the mere bin and his
price for II were included In Horri
gan's reasons for his present activity
He recognized that his prestige as boss
was at stake that in case of failure
his hold on the organization would bt
considerably weakened, perhaps almost
so much shaken as TO permit Phelan tC
fulfill his once absurd threat to teal
him down from his eminence. For the
| whole organization was viewing with
breathless interest the duel between
Horrigan and the youthful mayor the
boss had made" In such circles a
beaten man commands scant respect,
The board OF aldermen were In ses
sion in the city hall. OF the ante.
chamber of the great room where they
met was small, snugly furnished
apartment, first of a series Of similar
rooms that stretched away. with con
Meeting doors, to the far end of the
main corridor This place, with the
room adjoining. had once been the
comptroller's Office. OF late, however.
that official had changed his quarters
and the room nearest the antechamber
had been appropriated by Horrigan
himself as sort of unofficial snug.
gerry, where he could sit at ease and
transact BUSINESS at close quarters
whenever the organizations secret in
terests demanded his presence at the
city hall
Here, his whereabouts known only
to his intimate and personal lieuten-
ants, the boss was wont to sit at ease,
like some fat, rubicund spider In the
center of web OF intrigue, and issue
his orders or plans of campaign. Some
of these were carried by word of mouth
through the anteroom into the alder
manic chamber. Others he transmit
ted by means of telephone that stood
ready ON the center table, before which
his great easy chair was always placed.
Around this table as the board of al
dermen were about to convene on the
fateful Friday Of the Borough bills
final consideration sat three men
Wainwright, Gibbs and Horrigan The
former, in spite Of his habitual steady
coolness, was plainly uneasy Gibbs
Blade no effort to deny his anxiety.
His eyes were bloodshot, his manner
distracted and his nerves evidently
strung to breaking point. Horrigan
alone Of the trio had abated not one
jot Of the colossal calm and brutal
power that were part and parcel Of
the mans mighty character.
when will our bill come up, do you
supposew asked Gibbs, breaking a
brief silence.
I'm half an hour or so i-obably,"
answered Horrigan, glanciEg at his
watch, Il thought it was better for
rs to get here ahead Of time"
Half an hour" fumed Gibbs, "and
neither Ellis nor Roberts here yet!
Suppose they don't get here on timeY
They WILL" grunted Horrlgan plac-
IDLY.
"Do you think it is possible either Of
.hem has come yet?' went on Gibbs,
with a glance at the antechamber door.
"No" ......=..
How do you know? Perhaps
Williams would have told me. He
knows where I'm to be found"
you're sure Ellis and Roberts will
show up|
"Yes."
"How soon?"
SIN good time"
'But suppose they don'tT' insisted
Gibbs nervously. What then"
"Why, if they don't, then they won't
What do you suppose" snapped Hor-
rigan whats the matter with you,
anyhow? Are you looking for a muse
um job as the human question mark? 4"
"Gibbs is naturally nervous" explain
ed Wainwright. Hes not SO old at
this game as you and l, Horrigan, and
we must make allowances.
"Neryous?" grunted the boss. II
should say he is! Just look at that
cigar | gave him. He's been chewing
it as if it was sausage. That's no
way to treat fifty cent cigar, man!
Here, try another, and see if you can't
smoke it instead Of eating a free lunch
off It. Nothing like a good smoke to
steady your nerves. If'-
The antechamber door opened, and
Williams hurried In.
Il got Ellis" he reported. Hes
here, and"-with significant emphasis
he'll vote right!'
"Goodw assented Horrigan. II
thought he'd come to time. Now, for
Roberts and the things done"
"The gallery in there is jammed," re-