ed that the council should be harried into doing its
duty. This was a legitimate enterprise. A new and better system of
traction was being kept out of the city. Schryhart, since he was
offered an interest, and since there was considerable chance of his
being able to dominate the new enterprise, agreed that the ordinances
ought to be acted upon. In consequence there was a renewed hubbub in
the newspapers.

It was pointed out through Schryhart's Chronicle, through Hyssop's and
Merrill's papers, and through the Inquirer that such a situation was
intolerable. If the dominant party, at the behest of so sinister an
influence as Cowperwood, was to tie up all outside traction
legislation, there could be but one thing left--an appeal to the voters
of the city to turn the rascals out. No party could survive such a
record of political trickery and financial jugglery. McKenty, Dowling,
Cowperwood, and others were characterized as unreasonable
obstructionists and debasing influences. But Cowperwood merely smiled.
These were the caterwaulings of the enemy. Later, when young MacDonald
threatened to bring legal action to compel the council to do its duty,
Cowperwood and his associates were not so cheerful. A mandamus
proceeding, however futile, would give the newspapers great opportunity
for chatter; moreover, a city election was drawing near. However,
McKenty and Cowperwood were by no means helpless. They had offices,
jobs, funds, a well-organized party system, the saloons, the dives, and
those dark chambers where at late hours ballot-boxes are incontinently
stuffed.

Did Cowperwood share personally in all this? Not at all. Or McKenty?
No. In good tweed and fine linen they frequently conferred in the
offices of the Chicago Trust Company, the president's office of the
North Chicago Street Railway System, and Mr. Cowperwood's library. No
dark scenes were ever enacted there. But just the same, when the time
came, the Schryhart-Simms-MacDonald editorial combination did not win.
Mr. McKenty's party had the votes. A number of the most flagrantly
debauched aldermen, it is true, were defeated; but what is an alderman
here and there? The newly elected ones, even in the face of
pre-election promises and vows, could be easily suborned or convinced.
So the anti-Cowperwood element was just where it was before; but the
feeling against him was much stronger, and considerable sentiment
generated in the public at large that there was