The Cleverdale Mystery; or, The Machine and Its Wheels: A Story of American Life

by W. A. Wilkins

  CHAPTER IV.

  THE BOSS AND HIS AIDS.

  One of the nation's prominent beings, indigenous with American politics,is "The Boss."

  The Boss is a great man, and stands forth mighty and inscrutable, anautocrat wielding his sceptre with a strong hand.

  He must be brave as a lion; sagacious as an elephant; with all thecunning of a fox and the obstinacy of a bull-dog. His hide should bethick as that of the rhinoceros, and he must be as quick as the leopardin the mythical ability to change his spots. Like the hyena he musthave an appetite for ghoulish work, while his eyes must be powerful asthe eagle's, and his talons equal to those of any bird of prey. He musthave a backbone combining all the vertebral rigidity of the whole animalkingdom, and his heels should resemble in their trip hammer power thecatapults of the great American mule.

  He must be a man of quick conception, ready to comprehend situations atonce, and when an emergency suddenly rises he must be able to take itby the coat-collar and make it resume its seat. He must be a positivecharacter in all things. He cannot be a boor, for social qualities areuseful to him.

  He is not the creation of human hands; he is born, not made, and hisqualifications are merely perversions of noble gifts of the Creator. Inall deals on the political card-table, the Boss stacks the cards just asreally as do such magnates as Vanderbilt, Jay Gould, _ed omnes_, in WallStreet.

  The Boss dictates candidates and sketches plans of political action,and if the man desiring an office does not suit the Boss, he may aswell take a back seat without waiting to be sat upon and rolled overafterward.

  The Boss does not always act openly, but generally prefers to keep inthe background. Sometimes he is a judge "out of politics," as he says.He does not openly take part in the composition of tickets, but when acandidate comes to the surface the question is usually asked, "Does hesuit the Judge?"

  The Boss has his trusted lieutenants, selected for their fealty totheir leader, and no man can expect to obtain an appointment withinthe territory of any Boss unless the latter espouses his cause. Inmany cases the Boss is a Senator or an Assemblyman, or even a lessercounty official. Oftentimes he holds no elective office, but may be anappointee of the government or State. In office or out, he exists, andseems to be as inseparable from the political machinery of this Republicas the engineer from the machinery driving a steamboat.

  Senator Hamblin, the Boss of his senatorial district, had his trustedaids in every town. He knew whom he could depend on when the towncaucuses were held, yet feared the attempt of Daley to overthrow him,although confident of his ability to intercept the little scheme.

  Monday evening, the four men arriving at Cleverdale, Senator Hamblinand Miller walked together toward the home of the former, while Hortonand Rawlings went direct to the _Investigator_ office. Rawlings callingfor his proof-sheets, an article laudatory of Senator Hamblin was shownHorton. It was read and pronounced good, Horton suggesting the additionreferred to in the conference at Saratoga. The words were quicklypenned, and copy given the compositor. This was barely done when thesanctum door opened and Daley entered.

  "Ah, Mr. Daley, how do you do?" exclaimed Rawlings. "Just returned home.How's things in Cleverdale? Nothing new, eh?"

  "No--guess not. How are you, Horton?" and he extended his hand to theCounty Clerk.

  "By the way, Rawlings," said Daley, "I am told you have changed yourmind about carrying out the conservative wishes of the community. Isthat so?"

  "I don't exactly catch your meaning, Daley. Be a little more explicit,"said Rawlings.

  "Well, if you want it any plainer, I mean just this: the machine hasrecaptured the _Investigator_, after its editor's declaring he was withthe people. That's all, Rawlings--that's all."

  Rawlings, usually cool and collected, at once lost his temper; his lipstrembled, his face flushed with anger, and raising his clenched fist, hesaid:

  "See here, Daley, there is the door! and if you don't get out of itd----d quick, I'll throw you out! D'ye hear?" Rawlings stepped forwardas if to execute his threat, and Daley quickly turned and left theoffice.

  The next morning the _Investigator_ appeared with the article reflectingon Daley. In the mean time Senator Hamblin visited the bank, and,meeting several party leaders, discussed the political situation,seemingly anxious concerning the position of every one with whom heconversed. He was suspicious of all, well knowing the hold he possessedon his followers was only retained by the amount of patronage at hiscontrol and the sum of money he was willing to spend for the purpose ofenthusing "the boys," for no boss must let the boys become low-spirited;they may in such case take a notion to change bosses.

  As the Senator dismissed two persons the door opened and Paddy Sullivanentered. Paddy was a large, red-faced, sandy-haired Irishman, his cheekscovered with a long rough beard. Holding a cigar between the second andthird fingers of his left hand, he seized his black slouched hat withhis right and dropped it on the table. His appearance seemed to pleasethe Senator, for he extended a more cordial welcome to Paddy than to anyprevious visitors.

  "How are you, Paddy?" he said, warmly grasping the great mass of fleshthat individual used for a hand.

  "Foine as a top, Sinitor, and how's yersel'?" quickly answered Paddy.

  "Well--very well. Sit down and let's have a quiet talk. Throw away thatold stump, there--try a choice Havana," and he passed a cigar-box takenfrom a private drawer. "Now, Paddy, how are all the boys, and how goespolitics at 'The Shades'?"

  "Politics has been so dull that we're only been able to dhraw about twokegs of lager a day. I've always noticed, Sinitor, that when politics isa little hazy, the boys are busted and the beer-tap only runs driblets.Ah, Sinitor, if I was in Congress, be jabers! I'd go in for a law thatwould have elickshun hild ivery month. But see here, Sinitor, look outfor that blagyard Daley. He bought four kegs of lager lasht week; butshure I sot up six kegs for the b'ys--and--sh-h-h-h, d'ye moind--I tould'em Sinitor Hamblin had left orders for me to do it--that I did. Whenthe Daleys get the shtart of Paddy Sullivan and his frinds it's whinPaddy's shlapin'."

  "You did right," said the Senator, "and you can send the bill to me. Bythe way, Paddy, are the boys all right? How many of the laborers at themill can you pull for me? Ah, Paddy, you are a clear-headed man; no onecan control as many votes as yourself."

  "Ah, bedad! yee's jist roight. Ayven the good Father Burns wid hisblissed callin' can't run as many men wid his holy power as PaddySullivan wid his lager and whishkey. The b'ys knows who's their frind,and when they was swallowing Daley's lager I tips 'em the wink and saysI, 'B'ys, dom Daley, but here's to the hilth of the Boss!' and, Sinitor,ivery mother's son of 'em was rid hot for yees!"

  "Well, Paddy, keep your eyes open. The caucus will be held in about sixweeks. In the mean time set a keg of lager on tap each Wednesday andSaturday evenings and let the boys drink. If Daley comes around letMiller know. I shall be absent a few days, but on my return we mustopen the ball. One hundred copies of the _Investigator_ will be givenyou each week. Give them to the boys, and call especial attention tothe leading article. Right must win. Daley is engaged in an infamousconspiracy to help the corporations, and if it takes every dollar I amworth I am bound to stand by the people against monopolies. Ah, Paddy,to just such men as you are we indebted for a sound government foundedand upheld upon patriotic principles. Without such, America as a nationwould be a failure. Yes, sir, a failure."

  "There's where your head is livil, Sinitor, and when yees git PaddySullivan's infl_oo_ence, yees git as thrue a heart as iver wintpitty-pat benaythe a man's vist. But I must go, and niver ye fear butthat yee'l bate that Daley. Good-mornin', sir, good-mornin'," and Paddywas gone.

  The Senator quickly threw open the window, and the fumes of tobacco,whiskey, and onions passing out, he thus soliloquized:

  "Whew! that chap is not a very sweet-smelling bouquet. Gracious! itmakes me sick. What a dirty road is the political highway to success.Bah! But a man cannot secure good fruit without the use of unsavoryfertiliz
ers, and so it is with politics; the tree must be nursed, and ifthe gardener wants palatable fruit he must not object to the fertilizingelement needed to give the tree life and strength. No, I can stand athousand Sullivans if they are as strong politically as Paddy."

  At that moment the door opened and Cyrus Hart Miller entered.

  "Well, Miller, what is it? You seem hot and flushed. Anything new?"quickly asked the Senator.

  "Yes, and you must act at once. You remember a military company isabout to be organized here. Those in charge have succeeded in gettingenough names enrolled to obtain the necessary papers for organization.The company is an assured fact, the next thing needed is a name. Daleyhas offered to buy them a complete set of colors worth four hundreddollars, if the company is named for him. I just learned this from KipRogers, who expects to be captain, and I said to Kip, 'Senator Hamblinwould do better.' How would Hamblin Guards sound? The organization is tobe composed of the best blood in Cleverdale, and every man would be astrong friend of a generous patron. It is a good scheme, Senator, and amagnanimous offer from you would make the company a powerful auxiliaryto your other strings. Of course there is the 'Hamblin Mutual BenefitDeath Lottery Association,' named for you; then there is the 'HamblinSteam-Engine Company,' the 'Hamblin Yacht Club,' all good, substantialaids to your ambition; but, Senator, the 'Hamblin Guards' would be ofmore real benefit to you than all the rest put together. What say you? Itold Kip I would see him in an hour's time, for Daley wanted an answerthis evening."

  "Miller, you are a shrewd manager. Yes, you are right. You can say toKip that I will present a stand of colors worth seven hundred and fiftydollars. The company can command me for one thousand dollars cashbeside to fit up their parlors if the organization is named for me. Nota bad idea, and when the grand centennials occur the 'Hamblin Guards'shall go. Yes, Miller, they shall go with all the glory the men andtheir patron can command. Go at once and bring me their answer."

  Miller was off in an instant, when the Senator seated himself and thussoliloquized:

  "Hamblin Guards! eh? yes; it will read well in the newspapers. Ah, itis pleasing to see one's name in print--for other people to read. Suchthings as this, for instance, tell at the polls:

  "'Senator Hamblin is the generous patron of our local churches. He gives large sums for the support of the gospel. His charities are generously bestowed, while his name is recorded upon the hearts of all who love the church.'

  "Yes, permitting Belle to bestow gifts upon charitable institutions hasbeen of great advantage, for every dollar thus expended has brought meat least four votes. She gives from her heart, while I advance fundsfrom my pocket at the dictation of my head. She is a noble girl, and Iwas cruel to her when I left Lake George. But pshaw! George Alden! onlya clerk in the bank! He has no political significance, and I cannotallow my daughter to form an alliance with a mere private citizen.Her heart is young and tender, and the fire of to-day can be easilyquenched. When she marries she must make a brilliant match. Belle issick, her mother writes, and I must return to Lake George. This eveningI must attend the church meeting; to-morrow the Cleverdale WoollenMill Company are to hold an important business meeting, and I must bepresent. Senator, you have too many irons in the fire! Be careful, sir,for these hard times are shrinking values. No unwise ventures, sir, oryour fortune will take wings and fly away."

  Thus he soliloquized, until interrupted by a note which read as follows:

  _Investigator_ OFFICE.

  DEAR SENATOR: I will be at your house at 7 P.M. Will you be at home? Tell boy Yes or No.

  Yours faithfully, J. RAWLINGS.

  "Tell him Yes," said the Senator, and as the boy passed out, heremarked: "What the devil does he want now?"

  Senator Hamblin stood high in the community as a successful businessman. Until recently he had suffered but few losses. At the height ofhis business career, he was the leader of numerous enterprises, and forthe past ten years president of the Cleverdale National Bank, the stockof said institution being quoted at one dollar and ninety cents. He wasdirector in the Cleverdale Woollen Mill Company, capital one milliondollars. His business friends saw and regretted that his infatuation forpolitics caused him to do many questionable things. In business, social,and religious walks, a man must be the personification of all that isgood, but in politics he is allowed the fullest license to tread pathsthat are crooked. Hence Senator Hamblin's friends tried to reconcilethemselves to his action, but succeeded only in stultifying themselves.

  Promptly at seven that evening, Editor Rawlings was admitted into thelibrary at Senator Hamblin's residence.

  "Good-evening, Senator! Excuse me for calling. I will not occupy muchof your valuable time. I have called to inquire concerning our businessmatters. I want to go to New York on Friday to buy that press andengine. What shall I do about payments?" said Rawlings.

  "You can buy a press and engine for fifteen hundred dollars and havethem billed to me," said the Senator. "After election I will make oversame to you after you render me a bill for legitimate services anddistribution of campaign papers. Do you understand?"

  "Y-e-s, I understand, but Daley sent word he would give me out-and-outtwo thousand dollars to support him. Business is business, Senator, andI must make hay while the sun shines. Now I don't want to be mean or goback on a bargain, but hadn't you better see the two thousand dollars?You needn't say yes now, but let Miller come around and see me--he canfix it, for Miller is a man of business."

  Senator Hamblin rose and walked toward the door. He was not in anagreeable mood, for he knew the man was a knave. Yet he was at hismercy. Had he followed the impulse of his mind he would have kicked himout-doors, but conquering his feelings, he said:

  "Rawlings, you are not playing fair with me. If I accede to your demandnow, will this be the last? I must know where I stand, as I cannot payall I am worth for the help of a newspaper. Everybody thinks I have agold mine and that they can tap me at their will."

  "Oh, no, Senator, I don't think anything of that kind, but the railroadsare shelling out money to overthrow you, and you know that business isbusiness. I would rather be with you, by thunder, and am only askingwhat is fair."

  Senator Hamblin, aware that Rawlings would desert him if he did notsubmit to his extortionate demand, and anxious to terminate theinterview, replied:

  "Well, I suppose I must submit. Miller will call in the morning andarrange matters. I have an engagement at eight, and time is most up."

  Rawlings, not at all put out by the Senator's manner, rose and said:

  "All right, I will leave you. I am solid, Senator--a regularthoroughbred--and when I go for a man I go my whole length," and passedout.

  "Solid! Yes, you _are_ solid--in your cheek. You are one of therepresentative men of the political arena. Bad--bad; and still you mustbe tolerated--yes, courted and paid. It is a blot upon our institutionsthat such rascals sometimes mould public opinion, all because they canwield a powerful pen. They prate of honesty and rob a man by theirdisgraceful blackmailing and--But how could politicians get along if itweren't for such rascals?"