ce has
provided. He looks upon himself as one of the instruments of
Providence and he sincerely believes that the policies which he has
supported since his early experience with the reformers are
responsible for the happiness and prosperity of many a family. He
would consider it the height of absurdity for any of these poor,
worthy, but ignorant people to expect the comforts which they have
enjoyed without the protection afforded their employers by the
Republican Party.

By this somewhat unpopular method of reasoning, he believes that he
of all the men in public life has made the most persistent and
consistent fight for the masses. It is undoubtedly this calm faith
and sincere belief in his own rectitude which has enabled him to
hold the tremendous power he has exerted since Nelson Aldrich
retired from the Senate.

I have presented his political philosophy in some detail because he
is probably the most misjudged man in Washington. People are
inclined to look upon him as a glorified boss who deals in politics
as other men deal in commodities;--it is hardly a fair estimate of
the man. He considers himself the chosen leader of the most
intelligent people of a great commonwealth who is rendering
tremendous service to the country. I do not agree with that
estimate either. But taken all and all it seems to me that the
country owes him a debt of gratitude for having been sincere when
another course would have been more profitable. It is a relief to
find one at least who has never been called a hypocrite.

Senator Penrose does not hate Democrats; he does not consider them
important enough for that; he merely despises them. They are to his
mind an inferior class of human beings who should not be intrusted
with the affairs of the nation. Reformers irritate him. They are
either self-seeking hypocrites or deluded. In neither case has he
the time nor inclination to listen to their suggestions or heed
their maledictions.

He had an abiding hatred for Theodore Roosevelt when he was in the
White House, but he supported him loyally so long as he was the
leader of the Party. When Colonel Roosevelt bolted the hatred ran
the last gamut. He was classed as an arch criminal for having
smashed the organization.

Penrose is an enigma to those who know him only casually,
especially those who view life through the rose glasses of culture.
They marvel at the extent to which he has been able to dictate to
men who appear to be his superiors