f Philadelphia and the State of
Pennsylvania, it did not permit him to manipulate the subscriptions as
he had planned. The State treasurer was seen by him at the office of a
local lawyer of great repute, where he worked when in the city. He was
gracious to Cowperwood, because he had to be. He explained to him just
how things were regulated at Harrisburg. The big financiers were looked
to for campaign funds. They were represented by henchmen in the State
assembly and senate. The governor and the treasurer were foot-free;
but there were other influences--prestige, friendship, social power,
political ambitions, etc. The big men might constitute a close
corporation, which in itself was unfair; but, after all, they were the
legitimate sponsors for big money loans of this kind. The State had to
keep on good terms with them, especially in times like these. Seeing
that Mr. Cowperwood was so well able to dispose of the million he
expected to get, it would be perfectly all right to award it to him; but
Van Nostrand had a counter-proposition to make. Would Cowperwood, if the
financial crowd now handling the matter so desired, turn over his award
to them for a consideration--a sum equal to what he expected to make--in
the event the award was made to him? Certain financiers desired this. It
was dangerous to oppose them. They were perfectly willing he should
put in a bid for five million and get the prestige of that; to have him
awarded one million and get the prestige of that was well enough also,
but they desired to handle the twenty-three million dollars in an
unbroken lot. It looked better. He need not be advertised as having
withdrawn. They would be content to have him achieve the glory of having
done what he started out to do. Just the same the example was bad.
Others might wish to imitate him. If it were known in the street
privately that he had been coerced, for a consideration, into giving up,
others would be deterred from imitating him in the future. Besides, if
he refused, they could cause him trouble. His loans might be called.
Various banks might not be so friendly in the future. His constituents
might be warned against him in one way or another.

Cowperwood saw the point. He acquiesced. It was something to have
brought so many high and mighties to their knees. So they knew of him!
They were quite well aware of him! Well and good. He would take the
award and twenty thousand or thereabouts and withdraw. The State
treasure