The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-09-28
CHAPTER III.
THE ROAD TO POWER.

'VHE lure OF ponies nhu chuBnt
Bob From the night of his
fight with Haggin he began
10 take the game seriously
devoting much time and work to the
perfection of his organization. A few
months later the new field suddenly
opened wider before him. An era Of
reform" was impending.
Now. the Steel City was ruled by
what was popularity and appropriately
denOminated the hog combine"
group of gentlemen headed and herd
ed 10y Steele and Harmon, voluntarily
associated TO relieve the public of the
burden OF government.
While Steele, a born political strate-
gist and man of magnetic PERSONAL
~, the heart and brains of the organ
ization. lived the machine found
smooth sailing But the combine"
fell upon hard times. Steele died. and
the leadership devolved upon Harmon.
Harmon possessed none OF the per
sonal magnetism that had made
Steele's critics love the man while
they hated his misdeeds: also he lack
ed the sagacity and caution of the
dead leader. So the machine was al
lowed to fall into excuses that Steele
never would have permitted. The
Tenderloin ran openly and hagrantly.
A big boodling escapade in the halls
of the city fathers came TO light Ger
tain public contracts were let with
such incautious unfairness that muir
murs OF discomfort began to be heard.
All this might have had no important
results OF itself But to cap the climax
Harmon. TO satisfy a long cherished
dislike. dismissed MACPHERSON from
the directorate OF public works.
Macpherson was a Ratchet faced,
saturnine votary of Mammon; also
there was enough OF the Indian In him
10 make revenge for all affronts ne
cessity. He accepted his dismissal
with apparent equanlmity and institut-
ed a campaign to destroy his enemy.
A sturdy little band of refOrmers that
had fought long but frultlessly TO over
throw Steele's defenses suddenly and
mysterously took new lease on life.
Macpherson bought a morning and
an evening newspaper. Sensational ex-
pOsures followed startling revelations
with great effect The city began to |
stir uneasily. One day MACPHERSON
called few men into his office.
Gentlemen" said he. "let us reform
the city"
And thereupOD the Citizens party"
was formed.
SO II happened that one evening Bob
received n call from Robbins. a Mac
Pherson henchman who had the repu-
tation OF knowing how to deal with all
sorts OF men
''McAdoo." Robbins greeted him,
without beating round the bush I'll
tell you what I'm after. | come from
Mac. We want you with us in our
fight against Harmon and
IAN right" Bob interrupted care
lessly. Tell Macpherson I'll talk to
him any time he says"
But | have authority
81 don't talk 10 middlemen," Bob
said CURLY Good night"
"All right" Robbins laughed
you're the doctor"
The next evening Bob was by ap-
pOintment shown into MacPherson's
downtown office. Besides the prospec-
tive boss. there were in the office Rob
hlns and Graham, the independents
candidate for mayor. Mr.. Graham was
an elderly gentleman with pretty
complexion. white mutton chop whisk.
ers and shapely. beautifully manicured
hands. He thought he was refOrmer
and Il gentleman of the old school.
How are you. McAdoof' MacPher-
son greeted the newcomer with II cor
duality cleverly toned down TO lit the
man be saIuted shake hands with
Mr.. Graham. You have met Robbins.
believe. Mr.. Graham. this is the {
young leader of the Fourth whom $
were hoping to have with us.
Bob maliciously caught Graham's /
ladyllke hand in his own Iron grasp /
and squeezed it until the little mans
eyeballs rolled In agony. .
You have strong grip, MIR. Me (
AdOo, an aDuormally strong grip. If t
may say 50, sir. But"-be recalled the /
patronizing manner that he
thought so highly politlc-"l am glad I
10 meet you. my dear sir. very glad
indeed. am glad to meet all those
who are helping me In my fight c
may say IL has been with no inconsid- 4
cradle Inconvenience that have con
sented TO lead In this great reform.
But | have refused 10 permit personal {
to stand In the way OF
manifest duty. / am for political Q
purity. sir. In the past the methods
Of the tough wards. applied TO gentle
men in politics. may have He Z
stopped suddenly. warned by sharp q
y monitory cough from robbins.
Bob grinned sardonically. "Oh, don't a