those men. He continued to sit straight and listened to
others. The men dealt in no diatribe. There was no raving, there was no
anarchistic sentiments. They arose, uttered their grievances gloomily
but without passion, and sat down.

One elderly man stood up and raised both hands.

"I came across the sea to this country, sir. I came because I could
have my little share in the government where I paid taxes and labored--I
could vote here. It's the only public privilege I have. But, O God, give
us some one to vote for!"

"I sympathize with your feelings," replied Mr. Converse. "But you are
talking to the wrong man. I'm not in politics."

"By the gods, you will be if my nerve only holds out," Farr told
himself.

Another man sprang to his feet. He spoke quietly, but his very
repression made him more effective.

"What's the good of voting till men like you do get into politics,
Mr. Converse, and give us leaders who will use their power to help the
people who voted for them? I'm sick of voting. I'm teamed up to the
polls by ward workers--and I know just why those men are in the game and
who they're working for. What do you suppose Colonel Dodd cares which
side carries this city, or which side carries the state? He and his
crowd stand to win, whatever party gets in. You can't beat 'em. Business
is business, no matter what politics may be! The city money is wasted
just the same, the policy game is let run for the benefit of the rich
men who back it, all the grafts go right on. You can't fool me any
longer. They stir us poor chaps up at election-time, we rush to the
polls and vote, and sometimes think we are accomplishing something. But
what we're doing is simply boosting out some fellow who has made his
pile and putting in another who wants office so that he can fill his
own pockets by selling our common rights out to the same men. I say, you
can't beat it!"

The Honorable Archer Converse seemed to find his position on the
platform uncomfortable. He rose suddenly and stepped down on the floor.
He went among the men. He grasped the hands that were outstretched to
him. He realized that he had scant encouragement for these men. The
meeting had given him new light. He knew considerable about the old
days, and in the old days of politics men flocked to rallies. They
harkened humbly to speeches from their leaders, and swallowed the
sugar-coated facts, and listened to bands, and joined the torch-light
parades, and voted accord