Putnam patriot., 1913-11-14
THE PUTNAM PATRIOT November II 1913

for years been characteristic of him.
 Did it ever occur to you. Robert son, that by trying to force the Mul hns oil through, you are betrayine the people who voted for you?'
 "Oh, be sensialei" urged Robertson: and Tom, who knew his brotherin-law noted the mighty effort with which the attempt at conciliation was kept up We're both politicians There's no sense in spouting noble sentiments for my benefit. Keep them for your par. sons. l was promised the speaker. ship. And to get it away from me you turned insurgent. The Mullins hill- tonight's battle-means nothing to you but test of power. There's no prin. ciple involved. If you can kill the bill it will prove only you're strong enougt to depose our speaker and put yoursel. - his chair. That's your game. NHv pose as reformer?"
 You're qu.i wrong" said Standish, with a certain irritating patience. T haven't any pose. If I had I should not bother to display 1t for your bene- nt. am not hypocrite enough to say don't want every legitimate political reward l can earn. Who doesn't? But that's not why I'm fighting this Mullins bill of yours And at heart you know it isn't. I'm trying to kill this bill because it Is an offense to the eoun- try's nostrils. The bill is innocent enough on its face. Van Dyke and the rest saw to that, suppose But when l looked at 1t more closely saw 1t was framed to legalize the over-capitaliza- ton of every railroad in the United States and to undo what little good few decent lawmakers have been struggling for years to accomplish"
 Then"
 You know I'm right That is the Mullins bill's real object. That is why you people tried to rush 1t through be- fore we could have chance to pick 1t apart and to hunt for the 'nigger in the wood-pile. We'll, I've studied 1t close ly enough to make sure the pile con. tains very little except niggers. And I've made the public see 1t, too'
 Never mind bringing in your serv- ices to the dear public. You get your pay for that from them. not from me. The point is, you are lining up with our enemies. Standish, I'm not given to threatening; but from now on you're going to have an active life'
 ''I understand And look for noth- ing else. If the party that elected me is betraying the people, then I must fight that party. And I'm going to. Understand me clearly. I'm going to-"
 And the heavy slow voice held no note of threat. nor did it show the faintest tinge of excitement To Tom Blake, the conversation non-combat- ant. the insurgents rather turgid words carried far stronger message for this very absence of emotion. But they served merely to strip from Mark Robertson his last shreds of diplo- matic armor.
 You talk like a reform candidate for poundmaster at Pompton, N. J.l" he retorted. I've done nothing every one else isn't doing every day. Noth- ing that the custom of centuries hasn't legitimated; and nothing, I believe, that you haven't done. You've made the people think you're little tin god. But you can't make me think it."
 q can't now remember" said Standish wearily, having tried to-"
 Well, you probably know 1t would be time wasted" snapped Robertson. There must be something. somewhere or other. in your past life, that wouldn't shine out to any advantage in print I'm going to camp on the trail of your past performances. And when I strike the crooked by-path Pm looking for, I'll-"
 Standishs dark face broke into a smile The red angry politicians threats seemed to strike within the insurgent some genuine chord of mer- riment.
 eIn that case, Governor Robertson" he said pleasantly, q advise you to waste not one minute of time in set ting to work. Because, though I've been able to upset several pet plans of yours during the past six years, you'll find everything I've done to you