led to him. He caught the point of view as well as the intention
of it. Cowperwood represented a new and rather pleasing type of
financier to him. Evidently, he was traveling in able company if one
could believe the men who had introduced him so warmly. McKenty, as
Cowperwood was well aware, had personally no interest in the old
companies and also--though this he did not say--no particular sympathy
with them. They were just remote financial corporations to him, paying
political tribute on demand, expecting political favors in return.
Every few weeks now they were in council, asking for one gas-main
franchise after another (special privileges in certain streets), asking
for better (more profitable) light-contracts, asking for dock
privileges in the river, a lower tax rate, and so forth and so on.
McKenty did not pay much attention to these things personally. He had
a subordinate in council, a very powerful henchman by the name of
Patrick Dowling, a meaty, vigorous Irishman and a true watch-dog of
graft for the machine, who worked with the mayor, the city treasurer,
the city tax receiver--in fact, all the officers of the current
administration--and saw that such minor matters were properly
equalized. Mr. McKenty had only met two or three of the officers of
the South Side Gas Company, and that quite casually. He did not like
them very well. The truth was that the old companies were officered by
men who considered politicians of the McKenty and Dowling stripe as
very evil men; if they paid them and did other such wicked things it
was because they were forced to do so.

"Well," McKenty replied, lingering his thin gold watch-chain in a
thoughtful manner, "that's an interesting scheme you have. Of course
the old companies wouldn't like your asking for a rival franchise, but
once you had it they couldn't object very well, could they?" He smiled.
Mr. McKenty spoke with no suggestion of a brogue. "From one point of
view it might be looked upon as bad business, but not entirely. They
would be sure to make a great cry, though they haven't been any too
kind to the public themselves. But if you offered to combine with them
I see no objection. It's certain to be as good for them in the long
run as it is for you. This merely permits you to make a better bargain."

"Exactly," said Cowperwood.

"And you have the means, you tell me, to lay mains in every part of the
city, and fight with them for business if they won't give