Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-08
CHAPTER V. A Good Man and His Woes,

Alter Ed and 1 had carried the Ere donia election against Dunkirks road, we went fishing with Roebuck in the northern Wisconsin woods. I had two weeks, two uninterrupted weeks, in which to impress myself upon him; besides, there was Ed, who related in tedious but effective detail, on the slightest provocation, the achieve ments that had made him my devoted admirer. So when, went to visit Roebuck in June, at his house near Chicago, he was ready to listen to me in proper spirit. .1.
 l soon drew him on to tell of his troubles with Dunkirk-how the sena- tor was gouging him and every big corporation doing business in the state I've been loyal to the party for 40 years" said he bitterly, yet, if l had been on the other side 1t couldn't cost me more to do business. l have to pay enough here, heaven knows. But it costs me more in your 'state-with your man Dunkirk." His white face grew pink with anger. Its monstrous! Yet you should have heard him address my Sunday school scholars at the last annual out ing I gave them. What an evidence of the power of religion it is that such wretches as he pays the tribute of hypocrisy to it."
 His business and his religion were Roebuck's two absorbing passions religion rapidly predominating as he drew farther away from 60.
 Why do you endure his blackmail- ing, Mir. Roebuck?" asked. He is growing steadily worse"
 Hes certainly more rapacious than ten years ago." Roebuck admit ted. Our virtues or our vices, which, ever we give the stronger hold on us. become more marked as we approach judgment When we finally go. we are prepared for the place that has been prepared for us.'
 But why do you put up with his impudence?"
 
 power and is our only protection against the people They have been infamed with absurd notions about their rights. They are filled with envy and suspicion of the rich. They have passed laws to hamper us in de- veloping the country and want to pass more and worse laws. So we must either go out of business and let the talents God has given US lie idle in a napkin, or pay the Dunkirks to pre- vent the people from having their ig- norant wicked way, and destroying . us and themselves. For how would they get work if we didn't provide 1t for them?"
 "A miserable nlakeshift system" said I, hardening back to Dunkirk and his blackmailing, for I was not just then in the mood to amuse myself with the coRtortions of Roebuck's fex- ible and fantastic moral sense"
 I've been troubled in conscience a great deal. Harvey. about the moral fly Of what we business men are forced to do. hope-indeed I feel that we are justified in protecting our property in the only way open to us. The devil must be fought with Are. you know"
 How much did Dunkirk rob you of last year. I asked.
 Nearly s30O.ooO." he said. and his expression suggested that each dol lar had been separated from him with as great agony as If it had been SO much flesh pinched from his body. There was Dominick, besides. and a lot of infamous strike-bilIs to be quieted, It cost ssOO.O00 in aII-in your state alone. And Ee didn't ask a single bit of new legislation. All the money was paid just to escape persecution under those alleged lawsl Yet they call this a free country, When think of the martyrdom-yes the mental and moral martyrdon. of the men vho have made this coun- try What are the few millions a man may amass in compensation for what he has to endure? Why. sayIer. I've not the slightest doubt you could find vell-meaning- yes. really honest, Cod fearing people. Sho would tell you I am a scOundrel. have read sermons. delivered from palpits against me. Sermons from pulpits.-
 T have thought out a plan said I. after a moments silence ard shocked contemplation of this deplorable state of affairs. "a plan to end Dunkirk and cheapen the cost of practical busi- mesa
 At -eheapea the cost his big ears tuitched as If they had been tfekIeq.
 You can't expect to get what you need for nothing I continued -ou the present state of public opsnSon- Bur I'm sure I coald redgce expeuses by hzlf-zt least half-
 I ksd his u-eiELded attention.