The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-10-26
CHAPTER VIII.
BoB BECOMES BOSS.

NOB'S affection for Remington pre-
- cipitated the events that resulted
in the subjugation Of the city
Affection Is accurate. Bob
once .he cold. the loveless. now bestowed
on the younger man "A liking none the
less deep and intense for that 1t was
quiet and undemOnstrative. This liking
was evidenced by the influence Bob eX-
erclsed upon Paul's career in the leEis-
lature Not that any orders were Civ
en-; Bob merely by wise counsel guided
his friends footsteps around the pit
falls set for the inexperienced legis-
lator. SO that. although he often stood
almost alone. Remington was found
fighting boldly on the honest side of
every measure. His own consummate
audacity and personal popularity Sc
cured for him recognition rarely nc
corded a first term man. The uncom-
promising stand was possible TO BIN
as to few others. since with Bob's In
dorsement his reelection was deemed
assured and he had no need to placate
powerful interests.
Bob's influence may not seem so I'M
accountable when II Is understood that
II was dictated only by shrewd, far
seeing policy, Bob knew that he who
enters the political race must run as
lightly as possible and that even at
that time support OF dishonest meas
ures was apt to prove a handicap to
the swiftest runner. especially II the
goal were. as in Paul's case. advance
ment in office.
"Never mind what they say. stick Il
out" he explained to Remington one
day after the latter had returned from
dinner with q notorious lobbyist.
THE railroad and the steel people ever
since the war have been looting this
state through us politicians. So far
the people have stood for Il. but there's
bound to be change. The people
swing from one extreme to the other.
There are forces at work IN the state
now" He had Dunmeade and Muir
chell In mind ''There'll be an earth
quake hereab bouts some day soon. and
when it's over there'l be good many
political corpses scattered around. 1
don't suppose you're anxious TO accom-
plish premature demise. And. be
sides. In tight place the kicker can
always get more than the fellow who
goes along"
Remington laughed Then you're
dlscarding the meat Ak for the rapier.
eh?"
As for himself. Bob had no regrets for
his past dlsreputable practices, deem
ing them TO have been necessary to
his financial equipment. Now. how
ever. he decided that his equipment
was sufficient TO his needs and the old
firm was dissolved Also
the Steel City was treated to the
strange spectacle OF the tough" coun-
cllmen consistently voting against graft
Bob was not turning re-
former by any means. On the contra
~. his plans for the future involved
the use OF some very questionable
means but he was unburdening him
self OF every unnecessary weight that
might prove hlndrance In the battle
he foresaw And he was learning TO
make concessions.
The battle that Bob had foreseen
came sooner than he expected. In
fact. before he was entirely ready
In the second year of Paul's legisla-
i've career and the last Of Dunmeade's
first term opposition suddenly devel-
)ped 10 the lattPrs denomination An
obscure Judge from one of the western
counties announced himself as a can
lldate for the gubernatorial nominal
ion upon platform the principal
blank of which was Down with the
,urchell ring" Al first the announce
uent was treated ms a jest-by all save
,iurcheli. who knew the judge TO have
Jpeu put on the bench through rail.
Dad influence But as by magic tue
judges candidacy grew into formid
.ble strength
Six weeks before the convention Dun
meade was. so II seemed 20 the public,
lopelesSly beaten only a few know
ng ones among them Bob McAdoo,
pfused to believe chat Murchells re. |
ources were exhausted.
Then the great boss executed n
stroke Of Characteristic daring \
month before the convention. like a
,olt out Of clear sky. came the COVER.
lor's call for a special session OF the .
legislature to consider the passage of .
avs regulating freight rates and the .
estrictiOn Of rebating and providing
or committee 10 investigate the .
Methods Of the railroads. The know [
ng ones chuckled Murchell waited
The legislature convened. surrounded /
" a swarm Of railroad lobbyists. Muir .
hell was present In person At the .
md Of week the bills had been pass
d by the senate. Two days more. and .
hey We're favorably reported by the /
always committee of the lower house