by George Moore
Ferguson has to some extent succeeded in forcing us to pursue this matter.
POLLOCK.
To-day he is to bring on a resolution to start our steamers again, regardless of our agreement. If Southhaven takes action against us for breach of contract we are to answer by a counteraction for non-fulfilment of contract.
LEECH.
No one will support such a resolution. It would mean involving the town in two costly lawsuits.
POLLOCK.
And lose us our connection with Southhaven.
(ALDERMAN HALF KIRWAN enters.)
We are talking about Alderman Ferguson’s resolution, LEECH.
That, in defiance of our agreement with Southhaven, we shall start our line of steamers again. Do you believe that any one in his senses will support his resolution?
KIRWAN.
I do not think the resolution a wise one at the moment. But what matter? As well as another it will supply fuel for dissension.
LEECH.
If you do not believe in municipal life why do you come here?
KIRWAN.
I often ask myself that question. I suppose because hope is undying, and every time I come here I come believing that the miracle has happened, that we shall find a leader waiting us.
CLORAN.
Gentlemen, gentlemen! Ah, gentlemen, I declare there is not one of you but is entitled to lead.
KIRWAN.
No, Cloran, there is not one among us who can lead, and among the failures I include myself.
CLORAN.
But you have hopes, Alderman Kirwan. Report says that you speak highly of young Mr. Dean, our new aiderman.
POLLOCK.
It appears that he has taken up all your ideas enthusiastically.
LEECH.
It appears that you have found a disciple at last.
POLLOCK.
But why should he succeed with your ideas better than you’ve succeeded with them yourself? No, Kirwan, he won’t do, there is not the stuff of a leader in him. You agree with me, Michael?
LEECH.
His appeal the other day to the hillside men was a great mistake. He has ruined his chances here.
POLLOCK.
The only thing I ever heard in his favour is that he has become friends with Hardman, and is going to marry his niece — an excellent connection.
KIRWAN.
I daresay, I daresay; but I know of no sadder sight than our empty, crumbling harbour, the general sinking and fading of the better parts of the town, and the squalor which seizes upon street after street in the poorer quarters, bearing them down into decay and blackness. At the foot of beautiful mountains, at the edge of a bright, windy sea, the death-rate is higher than in any town within a hundred miles.
LEECH.
If the people will not pay for the removal of their fever dens, what is to be done?
KIRWAN.
The imposition of an extra rate is impossible, but if we get the money that is owed to us —
POLLOCK.
But if the law be not on our side extra rates will have to be levied to pay the law costs.
(ALDERMAN VALENTINE FOLEY enters.)
FOLEY.
Good morning, good morning. Now tell me what you think of Ferguson’s resolution. I am not sure that I approve of it, but it is full of interest. I’ve just finished an article on the subject. I begin by recalling all the circumstances of the case: A northern town situated on the western coast, on the brink of a natural harbour: until a few years ago enjoying the fruits of its good position. — This leads up to some very interesting statistics showing the extent of its trade until the sale of its steamers to Southhaven for a certain advantage — you see I omit nothing — including sums of money which have been paid, and a much larger sum which has not been paid. — The statistics I have collected cannot be contested... but they will be. Every point is contested, every one is denounced! Oh, for a little more unanimity, for some kindly feeling, avoidance of personal attack even when we disagree!
KIRWAN.
But the last number of your paper, Foley, contained an attack against every one.
FOLEY.
You read my articles in the Denouncer: they were all mine, the whole of the back page was mine. What did you think of it?
KIRWAN.
I thought that you were an advocate of union.
FOLEY.
So I am, but not of union with traitors. The sense of our wrongs fills me with indignation, but to right them all I would not hold out my hand to any one with whom I could not entirely agree.
CLORAN.
The last number of the Denouncer was a glorious one, full of fury against the enemies of our town. The people say that you have a mission.
FOLEY.
Do they? (Pause.) I always felt that I had a mission.
POLLOCK.
What is your mission?
FOLEY.
No man can define his mission, you must feel your mission (looking round); it must be a terrible thing not to feel that you have a mission.
KIRWAN.
You’re a journalist, Foley, to the finger-tips, which are inky. You exist in the day, in the very hour.
FOLEY.
And what is life but an accumulation of days and hours?
KIRWAN.
In the eyes of most people it is no more. Would that those who believe this would act up to their theory! The mission of this day, if it has a mission, is surely the settlement of our claims against Southhaven.
LEECH.
So far I will go with you. That it is impossible not to be indignant at the manner in which our seaport has been ruined at the advantage of Southhaven.
FOLEY.
And yet you and Pollock have voted against every measure for re-establishing the line of steamers which Southhaven has filched from us.
KIRWAN.
Filched? No; we agreed to sell our steamers. The accounts rendered by Southhaven are not satisfactory — cheated if you will. I like to preserve these nice differences — a cheat is not a thief.
POLLOCK.
Even in joke we should not use such words against our neighbour, nor do anything that might injure our neighbour.
LEECH.
There are so many interests involved, you know.
KIRWAN.
Certain members of our Corporation hold shares in the Southhaven line.
POLLOCK.
I only hold a few shares in the Southhaven line. I should not mind running the risk of reducing their value if I could only feel that our dear neighbours were not going to suffer.
LEECH.
Quite so. What should we be without our neighbour, our rich neighbour? And is it not nearly sure that if we insist on the fulfilment of the bargain we made with Southhaven we shall lose as much as we gain?
KIRWAN.
Here we love our neighbour — well, not more than ourselves, but much better than we love the interests of our town.
LEECH.
Kirwan, do you mean to say that the Corporation doesn’t consider the best interests of the town? that, having regard for their own private interests, certain aldermen do not press the claims that our town have against Southhaven?
KIRWAN.
For many reasons the claim is not pressed — for social reasons, for pecuniary reasons; and the principal reason of all is because we are hopelessly divided, because we have not found a leader.
LEECH.
There are plenty of leaders. Our friend here (pointing to POLLOCK).
KIRWAN.
Plenty who desire to lead, but no leader.
LEECH.
The question is whether we should insist in demanding our pound of flesh — the clause is vaguely worded, you admit that, Kirwan.
KIRWAN.
I see that you wish to abide in the good wishes of Southhaven; you prefer her good wishes to the pound of flesh.
(Enter the MAYOR and ALDERMAN THOMAS FERGUSON.)
MAYOR.
Well, of course, Alderman Fer
guson, you may bring forward your motion; but I fancy it will meet with a good deal of opposition.
FERGUSON.
I will carry it in spite of opposition.
KIRWAN.
That is what every mover of contentious matter thinks.
FERGUSON.
Alderman Kirwan again criticises. Why doesn’t he come forward with a proposal himself?
KIRWAN.
None of us could make a proposal that the others would not tear to pieces; they would gather about it like hounds about a fox.
FERGUSON.
And so you spend your time thinking, Alderman Kirwan?
KIRWAN.
If I’ve thought well, I’ve done everything that is required.
FERGUSON.
We want action.
KIRWAN.
If I’ve thought well, some one else will act well.
(Enter ALDERMEN DANIEL LAWRENCE and JASPER DEAN followed by other aldermen and several town councillors. Then the public crowd into the place allotted to them.)
LAWRENCE.
My dear Jasper Dean, I haven’t seen you for a long time — how well you are looking! I never saw you looking so well in my life. I am delighted you have become a member of our Corporation. We want men of your position and education — yes, we want your Southhaven ideas.
DEAN.
I never met with any ideas in Southhaven. It was here that I met ideas for the first time. (He lays his hand on KIRWAN’S shoulder.)
LAWRENCE.
I am sorry you don’t think better of Southhaven, you know our interests are so inseparably connected.
(The MAYOR and the Corporation all now take their places.)
MAYOR.
Mr. Cloran, will you read the minutes of the last meeting?
CLORAN.
Yes, your Worship. (Reads from a large book.) “At the last regular meeting, present the Worshipful the Mayor Alderman —— — —”
FERGUSON.
That’ll do. Let us get on to the business of to-day.
LAWRENCE.
Really, Alderman Ferguson —
MAYOR.
Order, order!
FOLEY.
What is the good of taking up our time by reading all those minutes?
KIRWAN.
They might have been read in less time than this dispute has taken.
ALL.
That’ll do. Enough.
CLORAN.
Then I am not to read them, your Worship?
FERGUSON.
Of course not.
MAYOR.
(Looking around.) Well, I suppose not.
CLORAN.
Names of aldermen present and minutes taken as read.
(Laughter, during which he hands the book to the MAYOR.)
MAYOR.
Is it your wish, gentlemen, that I sign these minutes which Alderman Ferguson won’t have read?
LAWRENCE.
It is most illegal.
FERGUSON.
Oh, illegal be hanged!
KIRWAN.
Sign them, sign them, and let us get to work.
MAYOR.
Well — I suppose I must. (Signs the minutes in the book.) Mr. Cloran, have you written, as directed, to the authorities in Southhaven?
CLORAN.
Yes, your Worship, in accordance with your resolution at last meeting, I wrote and have received this answer from the Town Clerk.
MAYOR.
Well, read it then. Silence, gentlemen.
CLORAN.
(Reading the letter.) “SIR, — In reply to your communication, in which you demand on the part of your Corporation a definite answer from our Corporation to your repeated claims, I am directed by our Corporation in the first place to remind you that it is very unusual for us to state definitely beforehand the course of action which we may eventually deem prudent to pursue. Our Corporation wish you to understand that our well-known integrity (laughter) and generosity in our dealings with other bodies have hitherto rendered such a demand as yours hurtful and superfluous; and that we might have been led to expect from the unanimity of interests which exists between our two towns a complete disappearance of all doubt as to the possibility of our acting in any other than in a just and generous spirit towards you. Finally, I am expressing the very general feeling of our Corporation when I now demand of you such trust in this matter of dispute as past experience should warrant you in bestowing upon us, and remain, &c., &c.”
FERGUSON.
We will certainly give that pack of rogues such trust as experience warrants us — which means just no trust at all.
KIRWAN.
Our position is not advanced one jot by that letter.
FOLEY.
They will never pay this money unless they are made to.
LAWRENCE.
The Southhaven Corporation is at least as honourable as our own, and I am sure that they will pay anything that is really due.
MAYOR.
May be so, but that letter is a most evasive letter.
LAWRENCE.
Southhaven never disappoints one’s just expectations.
FERGUSON.
Well, I hope they won’t disappoint yours, that’s all.
LAWRENCE.
What do you mean, sir?
FERGUSON.
Don’t you expect the appointment of solicitor to the Southhaven Corporation, which is now robbing us? For how long have you not been sniffing after it?
LAWRENCE.
How dare you, sir! Mr. Mayor, I protest, I protest in the name of my honourable profession — (uproar and cries of “Place-hunter!”)
MAYOR.
Order, order! — (Continued uproar.) Order, order! At this rate we shall never finish, and there are some of us who want to catch the four o’clock train. Let us now proceed to discuss what action we shall take in reference to the letter you have just heard read. What are your opinions as to the line of action we should adopt?
LAWRENCE.
Mr. Mayor, I submit that this is an affair in which we ought to proceed with the greatest caution. (Murmurs and applause.) We cannot foretell what may be the consequences if we rush into any rash action. Our substance and our safety, I may say, depend upon our neighbour. Are not our savings invested in the very line of steamers with which some mischievous persons among us propose to interfere?
POLLOCK.
Very true. No one of any standing would wish to interfere with the line of steamers.
LEECH.
Yes, it would be a disreputable thing to do, and at the same time fatal to our interests.
LAWRENCE.
Of course it would; but, to put the question of our interests altogether aside, think of the regard and gratefulness we are bound to feel for a great town like Southhaven.
LEECH.
To be sure. I forgot that. That is far more important than our mere interests.
FOLEY.
I repudiate it altogether! What have we to be grateful for? I should like to know.
LAWRENCE.
All fashion, all society, all culture comes from Southhaven.
KIRWAN.
We have exchanged our arts, our language, and our native aristocracy for shoddy imitation.
FOLEY.
Mr. Mayor, I intended to support Alderman Ferguson’s resolution, that we should answer this letter by the purchase of several ocean-going steamers. At the same time I feel it my duty to move that those holding shares in the Southhaven line shall be compensated.
FERGUSON.
Compensation! That would be putting a premium on dishonesty.
LEECH.
Explain, explain!
FERGUSON.
Mr. Mayor, one moment —
FOLEY.
I am in possession of the meeting.
FERGUSON.
(Shouting.) Mr. Mayor, I have some observations to make. ( There are cries among the Corporation and people for FERGUSON and FOLEY. Those for FERGUSON preponderate; and FOLEY sits down.)
MAYOR.
(Thumping the table.) Silence! Silence!
FERGUSON.
Mr. Mayor, this matter before the Corporation would be easily settled if only we could agree to one thing — the restoration of our line of steamers.
LAWRENCE.
You want to ruin us by severing our connection with our Southhaven neighbours, who can carry our goods better than we could ourselves.
DEAN.
Mr. Mayor, may I say a few words?
MAYOR.
Certainly, Alderman Dean. Silence, gentlemen, please!
DEAN.
Mr. Mayor, if one so new at municipal business as I am might presume to advise gentlemen so experienced, I would suggest that each of us should keep more strictly to the question before us.
KIRWAN.
Hear, hear.
DEAN.
We have really nothing to do with any question except whether we shall decide or not decide to enforce the payment of what is due to us. Each man among us may fight for whatever he wishes when the thief has been run down. (Cheers.) The matter is very simple, and I am glad that you all seem to be of my opinion.
LAWRENCE.
Not all, by any means, Alderman Dean.
FERGUSON.
Yes, all except a few place-hunters.
KIRWAN.
Is our town to surrender every advantage for the sake of a few officials? (Cheers.)
DEAN.
Mr. Mayor, we have nothing to do with officials. What interest can it be to us whether this or that official, however excellent, is or is not making money by our connection with Southhaven? Every town, every people, every race that has ever risen to greatness has asked one first question of its public men and of all other men who belong to it, “Are you for us or against us?” The answer can only be yes or no.
LAWRENCE.
Alderman Dean, I’m afraid you are not a sound politician. I thought you were a different man, sir.
DEAN.
My thought is for the good of this people as a whole. Has not this people become a proverb, a symbol of poverty as it were, and does it not call us to its help? (Cheers.) If you will listen to me with patience I am sure that we shall agree upon a policy. Our ancestors were ready to endure to the utmost for their convictions. Cannot we agree together to do and to endure the little that is required of us?
LAWRENCE.
Well, what is this policy? what is this grand discovery?
DEAN.
That each man should, for the moment, put aside every question that divides us, and above all that we should pass a general act of oblivion as it were, and forget our private quarrels, however justified (cheers), till this great work has been completed. (Cheers.)
