r to a corner of the office and whispered
together. Then they came back, drew their chairs close up to Douglas's
desk and Maxwell said:

"Mr. Douglas, we have come to see you about some of these proposed bills
of yours. This Reform business is being run into the ground. We are
tired of it. The people are getting tired of it. You are going to have a
great influence in the legislature. We concede that fact. Now, what we
want to do is to talk over some of these bills and get your influence to
modify or change in some ways."

Paul listened thoughtfully and when Maxwell was through he said, "Will
you mention the particular bills you have in mind? I am not certain I
know after all just what your business with me is."

Maxwell coughed and drew up his chair nearer. The other two men did the
same. The hum of the presses was beginning to pervade the building as
Maxwell, in reply to Paul's request, continued.

CHAPTER VII

"YOU see, Senator," said the Hon. Maxwell, "that the party is not agreed
on these bills you are preparing. Take for example that bill, I
understand you are the author of it, on public health. As we understand
the matter, it is going to work great hardship on the retail dealer, and
besides, pardon me, it is so full of fads and absurdities that it will
make the party the laughing stock of the state. And there is that bill
on public lands and investigating old entries. That will stir up an
unnecessary lot of trouble and help to disrupt the party. You must
remember, Senator, that while you call yourself independent in politics,
you allowed your nomination to be made by the party, and you are one of
us and have no right to split the party into factions. More than half
these bills you are advocating in the _News_ are of questionable value
and all of them, it seems to us, are calculated to make enemies in our
own ranks. The thing for you to do, it seems to us, is to stand pat.
Wages are good and the people are generally contented. Prosperity is
beginning to come back and it is poor policy to stir up matters. I've
been through a lot of campaigns and I want to say to you, Senator, that
I know the people pretty well, sir, and the people are beginning to feel
sore over all this reform business. They are beginning to feel that they
can't turn around or do a thing without someone claiming the right to
pass a law telling 'em how to do it. The effect of the reform measures
you are advocating will be to disrupt the par