System,' devolves the sacred if expensive duty of saving the nation,
and, however abhorrent to our fine moral sense, patriotism compels us to
spend millions in bribing and corrupting the electorate so that virtue,
'Standard Oil,' and J. P. Morgan may continue the good work of caring
for the public's interests as their own."

As I listened to Rogers' exordium on the duties of a citizen in an
emergency, I remembered the "Standard Oil" code--"Everything for God
(our God); God (our God) in everything." It was so essentially "Standard
Oil," this willingness to commit even that greatest wrong, subverting
the will of the people in the exercise of their highest function--the
election of a President--but only that good (their good) might come of
it. It was no more than selfish greed tricked out in the noble trappings
of morality, an infamous crime disguised as patriotism. Doubtless, the
excellent, God-fearing, law-abiding citizens of the doubtful States who
read this and learn how the "System" defeated their will at the polls
will cry, "Monstrous! Can such things be in America?" and then will
resume their interrupted occupation of "letting well enough alone."
However, this is aside from my story.

Having clearly set forth the political situation through which we should
be saved, Mr. Rogers proceeded to map out my own programme. First, I
must perfect an alibi for him by going to Foster and Braman, and
impressing upon them the fact that he was absolutely out of the affair,
and must under no circumstances be brought into it; next, I must
convince Addicks to the same effect, and in addition tell him that Mr.
Rogers had angrily refused to get into the mix-up; I should then hold
myself in readiness to meet John Moore and Hanna or Osborne as soon as
an appointment could be arranged. That afternoon I got the word and went
to 26 Broadway, and from there Mr. Rogers and I went over to John
Moore's office, slipping in the private door from the rear street.

"John," said Mr. Rogers, "I am going to turn this matter over to you and
Lawson, and I am to have nothing further to do with it. What you two
agree to will be satisfactory to me, and remember, both of you, every
dollar that is paid is paid by the National Committee, but after it's
all settled, and if there is no slip-up, I will look to Lawson for
whatever is expended. Is it understood?"

We agreed that it was, and Mr. Rogers left us.

John Moore deserves more than a mere passing ment