s to a joint debate, and when that was
declined by them, he hired halls for evenings and spoke on the subject.
He argued well, with much more feeling than he had shown since his
speech in "the case." After the first attempt of this kind, he had no
difficulty in filling his halls. The rumor came back to his own district
that he was "talkin' foin," and many of his friends there turned out to
hear him. The same news went through other wards of the city and drew
men from them. People were actually excluded, for want of room, and
therefore every one became anxious to hear his speeches. Finally, by
subscription of a number of people who had become interested, headed by
Mr. Pell, the Cooper Union was hired, and Peter made a really great
speech to nearly three thousand people.

The papers came to his help too, and stood by him manfully. By their
aid, it was made very clear that this was a fight against a selfish
lobby. By their aid, it became one of the real questions of the local
campaign, and was carried beyond the borders of the city, so as to play
a part in the county elections. Peter met many of the editors, and
between his expert knowledge, acquired on the Commissions, and his
practical knowledge, learned at Albany, proved a valuable man to them.
They repaid his help by kind words and praise in their columns, and
brought him forward as the chief man in the movement. Mrs. Stirling
concluded that the conspiracy to keep Peter in the background had been
abandoned.

"Those York papers couldn't help my Peter's getting on," was the way she
put it.

The results of this fight were even better than he had hoped. One
Assemblyman gave in and agreed no longer to oppose the bills. Another
was defeated. The Senator had his majority so cut down that he retired
from the opposition. The questions too had become so much more
discussed and watched, and the blame so fastened upon the lobby that
many members from the country no longer dared to oppose legislation on
the subject. Hence it was that the bills, newly drawn by Peter, to
reduce opposition as far as possible, when introduced by Schlurger soon
after the opening of the legislature, went through with a rush, not even
ayes and nays being taken. Aided by Mr. Costell, Peter secured their
prompt signing by Catlin, his long fight had ended in victory.

The "sixt" was wild with joy over the triumph. Whether it was because it
was a tenement ward, or because Peter had talked there so much ab