Part 22 (1/2)

”Well,” said Peter, ”I understand the condition better, and can see what I could not fathom before, why the city delegates want Catlin. But my own ward has come out strong for Porter. We've come to the conclusion that his views on the license question are those which are best for us, and besides, he's said that he will stand by us in some food and tenement legislation we want.”

”I know about that change, and want to say, Mr. Stirling, that few men of your years and experience, were ever able to do as much so quickly.

But there are other sides, even to these questions, which you may not have yet considered. Any proposed restriction on the license will not merely scare a lot of saloon-keepers, who will only understand that it sounds unfriendly, but it will alienate every brewer and distiller, for their interest is to see saloons multiplied. Then food and tenement legislation always stirs up bad feeling in the dealers and owners. If the opposite party would play fair, we could afford to laugh at it, but you see the party out of power can oppose about anything, knowing that a minority is never held responsible, and so by winning over the malcontents which every piece of legislation is sure to make, before long it goes to the polls with a majority, though it has really been opposing the best interests of the whole state. We can't sit still, and do nothing, yet everything we do will alienate some interest.”

”It's as bad as the doctrine of fore-ordination,” laughed another of the party:

”You can't if you will, You can if you won't, You'll be d.a.m.ned if you do, You'll be d.a.m.ned if you don't.”

”You just said,” stated Peter, ”that the man who could do what the majority wants done every time, would be re-elected. Doesn't it hold true as to a party?”

”No. A party is seldom retained in power for such reasons. If it has a long tenure of office it is generally due to popular distrust of the other party. The natural tendency otherwise is to make office-holding a sort of see-saw. Let alone change of opinion in older men, there are enough new voters every four years to reverse majorities in almost every state. Of course these young men care little for what either party has done in the past, and being young and ardent, they want to change things. The minority's ready to please them, naturally. Reform they call it, but it's quite as often 'Deform' when they've done it.”

Peter smiled and said, ”Then you think my views on license, and food-inspection, and tenement-house regulation are 'Deformities'?”

”We won't say that, but a good many older and shrewder heads have worked over those questions, and while I don't know what you hope to do, you'll not be the first to want to try a change, Mr. Stirling.”

”I hope to do good. I may fail, but it's not right as it is, and I must try to better it.” Peter spoke seriously, and his voice was very clear.

”I'm glad to have had this talk, before the convention meets. You are all experienced men, and I value your opinions.”

”But don't intend to act on them,” said his host good-naturedly.

”No. I'm not ready to say that. I've got to think them over.”

”If you do that, Mr. Stirling, you'll find we are right. We have not been twenty and thirty years in this business for nothing.”

”I think you know how to run a party--but poisoned milk was peddled in my ward. I went to law to punish the men who sold it. Now I'm going into politics to try and get laws and administration which will prevent such evils. I've told my district what I want. I think it will support me. I know you can help me, and I hope you will. We may disagree on methods, but if we both wish the good of New York, we can't disagree on results.”

Peter stopped, rather amazed himself at the length of his speech.

”What do you want us to do?”

”You say that you want to remain in control. You say you can only do so by majorities. I want you to give this city such a government that you'll poll every honest vote on our side,” said Peter warmly.

”That's only the generalization of a very young man,” said the leader.

Peter liked him all the better for the snub. ”I generalized, because it would make clear the object of my particular endeavors. I want to have the Health Board help me to draft a food-inspection bill, and I want the legislature to pa.s.s it, without letting it be torn to pieces for the benefit of special interests. I don't mind fair amendments, but they must be honest ones.”

”And if the Health Board helps you, and the bill is made a law?”

Peter looked Mr. Costell in the face, and spoke quietly: ”I shall tell my ward that you have done them a great service.”

Two of the men moved uneasily in their seats, as if not comfortable, and a third scowled.

”And if we can give you some tenement-house legislation?”

”I shall tell my ward that you have done them a great service.” Peter spoke in the same tone of voice, and still looked Mr. Costell in the face.

”And if we don't do either?”

”What I shall do then will depend on whether you refuse for a good reason or for none. In either case I shall tell them the facts.”