gible optimists as
Judge Leslie. Immigrants in the first generation have just about as much
feeling for the American flag as a chicken has for Rosewater. They look
upon vote-selling as a legitimate way of improving their fortunes, and
they are the easy prey of such agitators as Colton, because they had
nothing in their own countries, and want the earth in this. Of course
their children go to the public schools, and become Americans, but we
always have the problem of fresh hordes to deal with. And new and
old--it is easy to plant the weevil in their brains that the rich have
corralled all the money, and the laborer--even in California, where he
gets the highest wages paid on this earth--is a miserable victim, and
entitled to all he doesn't make. They never remember that nearly every
capitalist in the country has risen from their own ranks, and that their
dreams are mainly occupied with doing the same. But you might as well
talk to the trade-winds, especially with such men as Tom Colton stirring
the caldron. 'Get rich quick; and selling votes is as good a starter as
any.' There you have the moral sickness of the country in a nutshell.
And few professions pay better than that of the politician. The pettiest
division leader, who does the Boss's dirtiest work, and has fewer
redeeming virtues than the midnight burglar, makes such a good thing out
of it that the prettiest Salvation Army lass couldn't convince him of
the error of his ways. And he enjoys himself. To hang around saloons,
prize-fights, help out shyster lawyers with their tricks, and play the
game hard during election times--that satisfies him until he sees a
chance of stepping into a bigger pair of boots of the same make. But,
thank God, there are more honest men out of politics than in. That is
the trouble, but there they are, and it will be a part of your business
to round them up. Well, I guess I've held forth long enough. I'll send
you round a few volumes from my Lincoln library to-morrow. I always go
to it when I lose my faith in human nature. Good-night."

And he gathered up his long legs and went out.

* * * * *

In his many talks with his friends in San Francisco, Gwynne had received
practically the same suggestions. The lawyer who advised this group in
its necessarily intermittent campaign against the San Francisco
politicians was one of the ablest in the United States. He had offered
Gwynne a place in his office, a 'court