Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-03-07
THE MAN
HIGHER UP
By HENRY RUSSELL
MILLER
Copyright. 1910. by Bobbs Mer-
rill Co.

elected. they had succeeded in elect
ing a slight majority in the city coun-i
ellis Their forces were carefully or
ganized to fight him. Yet the advan-
fage was all with Bob. for Sanger's
ring. bound only by the ties of self
interest, must needs foster many cor
rupt measures in the city's legislature.
Bob. looking only to the peoples needs,
was free to veto these measures. Each
successive election saw his organiza-
ton, both in his party and in the city
government. become stronger.
Nor were Bob's political activities
confined to the Steel City. Murchell.
although he amazed his friends and
physicians by the tenacity with which
he held on to life. grew steadily weak
er. Under his guidance Bob and Dun
meade together fought against the
railroad steel interests with whom the
open break had at last come. 1t was
tremendous struggle that stirred the
commonwealth to its uttermost limits.
Bob's part in the state campaign took
him often to the capital. where he was
received frankly into the beautiful
home life of the governors family.
Sometimes he found himself alone
with Mrs. Dunmeade. From her he
received his only news of Eleanor Gill
bert during all those long months.
You have Mrs. Gilbert's address,
he asked abruptly one evening when.
after a long conference, they had in
duced him to remain overnight at the
capital.
Eyes. She is in New York doing set
Element work. From her letters 1
know that in her work. the first real
work she has ever had. even though it
is small, she is happier than ever be-
fore"
"I'm glad she is happy. Will you
write to her." he added Immediately,
s'that we have found no trace of Paul
Remington. but that am still search
ing?" Mrs. Dunmeade did not ask
why he himself should not write.
This was just before the famous
''gas franchise war; which finally
gave Bob's enemies into his hands.
The Steel City's homes were dependent
for heat upon natural gas, supplied by
a company operating under an exclu-
franchise provided for an extortionate
maximum charge. the enforcement of
which had worked great hardship on
the consumers. But when the McAdoo
administration was year old the
menopoly's rights had almost expired
and an extension under the old terms
was demanded by the gas company.
Bob Immediately in a public message
declared that be would oppose the eX-
tension unless it provided for a rea-
sonable rate to the consumer His
message was hailed with huZzas by
the long suffering public.
Macpherson led the fight for the or
dinance. His genius for corruption,
never so shamefully brilliant. was Civ
en- free play. The measure passed
both houses of councils.
When it was presented to Bob for
approval he vetoed it with a clear ex-
PLANTATION of his reasons for so doing.
The bill was reintroduced into coun-
els in the hope of securing the two
thirds majority necessary to pass it
over the mayors veto.
The councilmen found themselves be-
tween two hot fires. On the one hand
was MACPHERSON. and the mayor saw
more than one supposedly stanch fol-
lower caught in his enemy's net. On
the other hand was Bob--with the peO-
pie awakened to fury of indigna ton.
The tale is told that during the night
and day preceding the final reading of
the ordinance Macpherson kept his
councilmen secretly locked together in
an obscure hotel. away from the in
fl1ence of the crowds. On the hour Of
the councils meeting they were quiet
" marched to their chamber In a body,
guarded by Macpherson in person.
When they reached the council
chambers those renegades must have
trembled. Every available inch of
space in the spectators gallery was
packed by indignant citizens. Over
the gallery significant fact! = hung
ropes, each with Moose tied at its
dangling end cPllerson's glare
could not stay the panic in his crea-
lures hearts. He was a bold man. in
deed, who would vote for the ordi-
nance that night.
And into the chamber they saw Bob
walk. From the gallery came one
hoarse shout. stilled instantly by his
raised hand Straight to Macpherson.
standing at one side, where he could
watch the proceedings, Bob strobe.
"Get out of this chamber" 1t was
Bob who spoke in quiet, repressed
tone which nevertheless carried a
threat
Macpherson sneered. 81 have the
right to be here"
''Get out of this chamber This
time the voice rang through the 81
lence of the crowded hall.
.sI'll stay here until I'm good and