intment with the Rewards of Patriotism; of the
Consolation he found in the most Charming Resolve in the World_.

In January the legislature met again. All autumn and early winter the
_Post_ had been pounding without surcease upon two great issues: first,
the reform of the tax-laws, and, second, the establishment of a
reformatory institution for women. It was palpably the resolve of the
paper that the legislature should not overlook these two measures
through lack of being shown where its duty lay.

To the assistant editor had been assigned both campaigns, and he had
developed his argument with a deadly persistence. A legislature could no
more ignore him than you could ignore a man who is pounding you over the
head with a bed-slat. Queed had proved his cases in a dozen ways,
historically and analogically, politically, morally, and scientifically,
socially and sociologically. Then, for luck, he proceeded to run through
the whole list again a time or two; and now faithful readers of the
_Post_ cried aloud for mercy, asking each other what under the sun had
got into the paper that it thus massacred and mutilated the
thrice-slain.

But the _Post_, aided by the press of the State which had been
captivated by its ringing logic, continued its merciless fire, and, as
it proved, not insanely. For when the legislature came together, it
turned out to be one of those "economy" sessions, periodically thrust
down the throats of even the wiliest politicians. Not "progress" was its
watchword, but "wise retrenchment." Every observer of events, especially
in states where one party has been long in control, is familiar with
these recurrent manifestations. There is a long period of systematic
reduplication of the offices, multiplying generosity to the faithful,
and enormous geometrical progression of the public payroll. Some mishap,
one day, focuses attention upon the princely totalities of the
law-making spenders, and a howl goes up from the "sovereigns," who, as
has been wisely observed, never have any power until they are mad. The
party managers, always respectful to an angry electorate, thereupon
announce that, owing to the wonderful period of progress and expansion
brought about by their management, the State can afford to slow up for a
brief period, hold down expenses and enjoy its (party-made) prosperity.
This strikes the "keynote" for the next legislature, which pulls a long
face, makes a tremendous noise about "economy," a