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By this time； however； the newspapers had become as subtle and powerful as the politicians themselves。 Under the great dome of the capitol at Springfield； in the halls and conference chambers of the senate and house； in the hotels； and in the rural districts wherever any least information was to be gathered； were their representativesto see； to listen； to pry。 Out of this contest they were gaining prestige and cash。 By them were the reform aldermen persuaded to call mass…meetings in their respective districts。 Property…owners were urged to organize； a committee of one hundred prominent citizens led by Hand and Schryhart was formed。 It was not long before the halls； chambers； and committee…rooms of the capitol at Springfield and the corridors of the one principal hotel were being tramped over almost daily by rampant delegations of ministers； reform aldermen； and civil committeemen； who arrived speechifying； threatening； and haranguing； and departed； only to make room for another relay。
〃Say； what do you think of these delegations； Senator？〃 inquired a certain Representative Greenough of Senator George Christian； of Grundy； one morning； the while a group of Chicago clergymen accompanied by the mayor and several distinguished private citizens passed through the rotunda on their way to the committee on railroads； where the house bill was privily being discussed。 〃Don't you think they speak well for our civic pride and moral upbringing？〃 He raised his eyes and crossed his fingers over his waistcoat in the most sanctimonious and reverential attitude。
〃Yes； dear Pastor；〃 replied the irreverent Christian； without the shadow of a smile。 He was a little sallow； wiry man with eyes like a ferret； a small mustache and goatee ornamenting his face。 〃But do not forget that the Lord has called us also to this work。〃
〃Even so；〃 acquiesced Greenough。 〃We must not weary in well doing。 The harvest is truly plenteous and the laborers are few。〃
〃Tut； tut； Pastor。 Don't overdo it。 You might make me larf；〃 replied Christian； and the twain parted with knowing and yet weary smiles。
Yet how little did the accommodating attitude of these gentlemen avail in silencing the newspapers。 The damnable newspapers！ They were here； there； and everywhere reporting each least fragment of rumor； conversation； or imaginary programme。 Never did the citizens of Chicago receive so keen a drilling in statecraftits subtleties and ramifications。 The president of the senate and the speaker of the house were singled out and warned separately as to their duty。 A page a day devoted to legislative proceeding in this quarter was practically the custom of the situation。 Cowperwood was here personally on the scene； brazen； defiant； logical； the courage of his convictions in his eyes； the power of his magnetism fairly enslaving men。 Throwing off the mask of disinterestedness if any might be said to have covered himhe now frankly came out in the open and； journeying to Springfield； took quarters at the principal hotel。 Like a general in time of battle； he marshaled his forces about him。 In the warm； moonlit atmosphere of June nights when the streets of Springfield were quiet； the great plain of Illinois bathed for hundreds of miles from north to south in a sweet effulgence and the rurals slumbering in their simple homes； he sat conferring with his lawyers and legislative agents。
Pity in such a crisis the poor country…jake legislator torn between his desire for a justifiable and expedient gain and his fear lest he should be assailed as a betrayer of the people's interests。 To some of these small…town legislators； who had never seen as much as two thousand dollars in cash in all their days； the problem was soul…racking。 Men gathered in private rooms and hotel parlors to discuss it。 They stood in their rooms at night and thought about it alone。 The sight of big business compelling its desires the while the people went begging was destructive。 Many a romantic； illusioned； idealistic young country editor； lawyer； or statesman was here made over into a minor cynic or bribe…taker。 Men were robbed of every vestige of faith or even of charity； they came to feel； perforce； that there was nothing outside the capacity for taking and keeping。 The surface might appear commonplaceordinary men of the state of Illinois going here and theresimple farmers and small…town senators and representatives conferring and meditating and wondering what they could doyet a jungle…like complexity was present； a dark； rank growth of horrific but avid lifelife at the full； life knife in hand； life blazing with courage and dripping at the jaws with hunger。
However； because of the terrific uproar the more cautious legislators were by degrees becoming fearful。 Friends in their home towns； at the instigation of the papers； were beginning to write them。 Political enemies were taking heart。 It meant too much of a sacrifice on the part of everybody。 In spite of the fact that the bait was apparently within easy reach； many became evasive and disturbed。 When a certain Representative Sparks； cocked and primed； with the bill in his pocket； arose upon the floor of the house； asking leave to have it spread upon the minutes； there was an instant explosion。 The privilege of the floor was requested by a hundred。 Another representative； Disback； being in charge of the opposition to Cowperwood； had made a count of noses and was satisfied in spite of all subtlety on the part of the enemy that he had at least one hundred and two votes； the necessary two…thirds wherewith to crush any measure which might originate on the floor。 Nevertheless； his followers； because of caution； voted it to a second and a third reading。 All sorts of amendments were madeone for a three…cent fare during the rush…hours； another for a 20 per cent。 tax on gross receipts。 In amended form the measure was sent to the senate； where the changes were stricken out and the bill once more returned to the house。 Here； to Cowperwood's chagrin； signs were made manifest that it could not be passed。 〃It can't be done； Frank；〃 said Judge Dickensheets。 〃It's too grilling a game。 Their home papers are after them。 They can't live。〃
Consequently a second measure was devisedmore soothing and lulling to the newspapers； but far less satisfactory to Cowperwood。 It conferred upon the Chicago City Council； by a trick of revising the old Horse and Dummy Act of 1865； the right to grant a franchise for fifty instead of for twenty years。 This meant that Cowperwood would have to return to Chicago and fight out his battle there。 It was a severe blow； yet better than nothing。 Providing that he could win one more franchise battle within the walls of the city council in Chicago； it would give him all that he desired。 But could he？ Had he not come here to the legislature especially to evade such a risk？ His motives were enduring such a blistering exposure。 Yet perhaps； after all； if the price were large enough the Chicago councilmen would have more real courage than these country legislatorswould dare more。 They would have to。
So； after Heaven knows what desperate whisperings； conferences； arguments； and heartening of members；