01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, May 18, 2004

ON ELECTION NIGHT two years ago, the unthinkable was happening. It looked like the citizens, rising up against the sleazy politics that characterize Rhode Island, might unseat the most powerful politician in the state, House Speaker John Harwood (D.-Pawtucket).

There were ample grounds for disgust with Mr. Harwood.

He had used parliamentary tricks to block a crucial reform of Rhode Island's corrupt political system, spitting in the face of the overwhelming majority of voters.

Under his leadership, his wife had obtained a lifetime magistrate's position paying over $100,000 a year. The public was not allowed to see the names of other candidates for that position.

His law firm represented one of the state's big gambling interests, Lincoln Park, and Mr. Harwood betrayed no concern about the glaring conflict of interest that posed and the damage done to the public through such cozy arrangements. And, indeed, federal indictments have since been handed down against top Lincoln officials, accusing them of a conspiracy to bribe Mr. Harwood's law firm to win state approval for more slot machines and to block another casino.

And there was the Wendy Collins matter. The former State House aide had charged him with gross sexual harassment, a charge he denied but that his allies and minions tried to cover up. Ms. Collins was given a $75,000 workers' compensation settlement and a job at Rhode Island College. But the story came out anyway.

Voters were angry.

Typically, the perpetually feeble Republican Party couldn't find a candidate. But a sales executive named Bruce Bayuk came forward to mount a quixotic write-in campaign as an independent. Imagine: Voters would have to hand-write Mr. Bayuk's oddly spelled name to defeat a politician whose name was already printed on the ballot and who had the muscle of Rhode Island's political establishment and the special interests behind him.

But, on Election Day, a near-miracle occurred. Mr. Harwood held only a 47-vote lead that night -- and appeared possibly destined for defeat -- when an elections official fed a stapled document into a voting machine at the West Avenue Fire Station, jamming it. At 10 p.m., when the machine was repaired and the votes were counted, Mr. Harwood was found to have clobbered Mr. Bayuk at the polling station, and the election was over.

Even in Rhode Island, though, so pathetic a victory sent a message of voter disgust that was impossible to ignore. Quickly and quietly, Democrats maneuvered William Murphy of West Warwick into the speaker's chair, otherwise keeping Mr. Harwood's leadership team and aides in place.

One would think that Mr. Harwood might get the hint at that point and retire gracefully.

But he remained at the State House, insisted on an office (an honor not accorded other members), and kept chatting with lobbyists. As someone who knows where the bodies are buried in state government, he no doubt remains a force. Information is power. And a lot of people owe him favors -- far more than owe, say, Speaker Murphy favors. He can bring plenty of chips to the table in a tough game of political poker.

He built up a campaign warchest of $172,836, and spent much of it -- plowing through $10,612 in a single month last summer. By April 1, he reported having $29,938 left, and having spent $8,058 during the first three months of the year, though he ignored campaign reporting law by declining to specify how he spent it.

More than 300 of his supporters turned out last month at the State House for the unveiling of his official portrait. Former governors Bruce Sundlun and Lincoln Almond showed up to praise Mr. Harwood for his political skill and -- even more disgracefully -- his honesty. That is the way of politics: You honor me, and I'll honor you, and never mind what message that sends to a public that keeps on paying for corruption.

What's next for Mr. Harwood?

He's still packing them in at fundraisers. The Republican Party, true to form, can't find a candidate to oppose him. The portrait unveiling would have been the perfect time for him to say farewell. But he didn't. If he sticks around and runs for re-election this fall, that might be a signal he believes that he can make another run for leadership. (Why else would he want to remain?) His fundraising seems to indicate he is gearing up for another run, unless he is simply trying to cash in on the favors he was able to dole out over the years because the public entrusted him with power.

Will anyone have the guts to come forward and offer voters even a hope for something better in Rhode Island than the politics of John Harwood? We'll see. Power in Rhode Island is still controlled by special interests. The worst of the politicians they put in power pointedly ignore the public's general welfare, while endlessly congratulating each other for their often self-serving "service." There's no sign that system is going away.

Edward Achorn is The Journal's deputy editorial-pages editor. His e-mail address is eachorn@projo.com.