Philip Dru: Administrator; A Story of Tomorrow, 1920-1935

eeks a C

tes known as Presidential cradles, as seemed to him eligible. By a

Middle West. The man had many of the earmarks of a demagogue, which S

lattered by the attention, for Selwyn was, perhaps, the best known figure in American politics, while he, himself, had only begun to attract attention. They had met

kland's private room. "I was passing through the capital and I thought

ad, for there are some party questions coming up at the next sessio

if you will dine with me in my rooms at the Mandell House to-n

Senator, a

h my business here to-day, I shall leave on

party matters to discuss, and Selwyn knew it. He also knew that Rockland was ambitious to b

liant, and while not a forceful man, yet he had magnetism which served him still better in furthering his political fortunes. He was not one that could be grossly corru

ally enough to be polite, and asked him if he would not look over the afternoon paper for a moment while

xcess. After they had talked over the local matters which were supposed to be the purpose of

an you hold this state in li

t I can, Senator

at if you could be nominated and elected again, the party might do worse

't interrupt me," contin

ects to the Governor of the State. Some political questions are perplexing you, and my presence suggests that I may aid in their solution. This dinner follows,

bly will be, your becoming chief magistrate of t

elwyn's words, and by their tremendous import. F

nd your ability to conduct a campaign, gives to your suggestion almost the tender of the presidency. To tell you that I am deeply moved does scant justice to my feelings. If, after further considerat

ve had someone else in mind, but I am in no sense committed, and we might as

ivate, in the most open yet confidential way. It is better that you and I, in the privacy of these rooms, should lay bare your past than that it should be done in a bitter campaign and by your enemies. What we say to

nd, with a gesture meant to convey

ed Selwyn, without noticing. "Be candid with me, for,

ve never scratched a party ticket nor have I ever voted against

s who have stood sponsor for you, not only to the party but to the country. It would be very humiliating to me if I

the works of man, Selwyn went on, while he closely

utional right to act alone, he has no moral right to act contrary to the tenets and traditions of his party, or to the advic

se, and which must be followed in order to obtain a proper organizatio

e other than himself, he would have detected the sophistry of it. But, exhilarated by wine a

and therefore inversely ingratitude is unknown to me. You and the organization

at which my conscience will rebel, nor to m

except to do my share towards making my native land grow in prosperity, and to make the individual citizen more contented. To do this we must cease this

their industries and work them to success, in the wholesome knowledge that the

here, Senator," sai

d works under stable conditions. There we find no proposal to change the money system between moons, there we find no uncertainty from month to month r

to-morrow, and a large part of the time the

at you will join me in my endeavors to give the country a ch

had practically committed his political fortunes on the side of the progressive

see clearly that what you have outlined is a high order of statesmanship. You are constructive: I have been on the side of those who would tear down.

s approval and telling himself that he would

Governor gave him copies of his speeches and messages, so that he cou

e in the past. It will not do to see the light too quickly. You have the progressives with you n

now that we are working together harmoniously. I may even get some of the conservative papers to attack

you, and my responsibility is a heavy one, an

tor," said Rockland. "I