Guy Wetmore Carryl

“ The point of view of the veteran is, naturally, not that of the novice, particularly in politics. That the enthusiasms of Lieutenant-Governor Barclay should have been the disillusions of Governor Abbott, and his pitfalls his senior’s stepping-stones, — this was to be expected. ”

“ The Governor looked contemplatively at the ceiling, closing his right eye, and nibbling behind his pursed lips.
“Peter Rathbawne,” he said, “is the second most obstinate man in Kenton City, if not in Alleghenia. I’m afraid he thinks he is the most obstinate. If so, he does me an injustice. His mills are the largest in the state. I am told that when they are running full strength they employ over four thousand hands.”
“Something like that number, I believe,” put in Barclay, as the Governor seemed to expect a reply. ”

“ It is a pity for such an industry as that to be tied up on account of one man’s obstinacy.”
“I had not heard” — began Barclay; but Governor Abbott continued steadily, disregarding the interruption.
“Yesterday morning Mr. Rathbawne discharged fifteen employees on the ground of incompetency. It is hard to see exactly what Mr. Rathbawne means by ‘incompetency’ These men were not newcomers. Some of them had been in the mills for as much as eighteen months. It seems as if he might have discovered the alleged incompetency long ago. ”

“ Before the cheering of the now allied forces of labor and reform had fairly died away, he had moved that nominations were in order, and, ten minutes later, while the partisans of the “machine” were still endeavoring to collect their wits, the main business of the convention was an accomplished fact, and Abbott and Barclay were declared the regular Democratic nominees for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of the state. ”

“ The reformers themselves, young men for the most part, distinguished by great ideals but small ability, were too few to impose their individual will upon their opponents, yet sufficiently numerous to make their support necessary to the success of either party. ”

“ He would be the idol of the working people, and hardly less esteemed by the element of capital. Moreover, he would be doing a humane and merciful thing. You are the only man who is in a position to approach Rathbawne, and, if you will excuse the suggestion, I think you can hardly afford to throw away the chance. As it is, you — er — you are not what might be called popular, Mr. Barclay. ”