I were"--

He broke off suddenly, and looked at Bradley in a keen, steady way.
"And so you're a congressman, Talcott? Well, I'm glad of your success,
because it shows a man _can_ succeed on the right lines--in a measure,
at least."

"Well, I've tried to live up to most of your principles," smiled
Bradley. "I've read all the things you've sent me."

"Well, you're the wildest and most dangerous lunatic that ever got into
Congress," Radbourn said, gravely. "Do you expect to talk any of that
stuff on the floor?"

"Well, I--I hoped to be able to say something before the session
closes."

"If you do, it will be a miracle. The House is under the rule of a
Republican Czar, and men with your ideas or any ideas are to be shut
out remorselessly. Let me tell you something right here; it will save
time and worry: You want to know the Speaker, cultivate him. He's the
real power. That's the reason the speakership becomes such a terrible
struggle. It decides the most tremendous question. In his hand is the
appointing of committees, which should be chosen by the legislators
themselves. The power of these committees is unlimited, you'll find.
They can smother bills of the utmost importance. Theoretically they are
the servants of the House. Actually they are its autocrats."

"I didn't realize that."

"I don't suppose it is realized by the people. This appointing of the
committee is supposed to save time, and yet the speakership contest
consumes weeks, sometimes months. It will grow in ferocity."

"Can't something be done?"

"Try and see," he said rising. "Well, suppose we got out and walk about
a little. I infer you're on to see the town. Where are you stopping?"

Bradley named the hotel with a little reluctance. He knew how cheap it
was; and since he had discovered that congressmen were at a premium in
boarding-houses, he saw that he must get more sumptuous quarters than
he had hitherto occupied. They went out into the open air together. The
sun was very brilliant and warm. The eaves were running briskly. The
sky was gentle, beautiful, and spring-like. The fact that he was in
Washington came upon Bradley again, as he saw the soaring dome of the
capitol at the head of the avenue.

"What you want to do is to get on good social terms with the so-called
leaders," Radbourn was saying. "Recognition goes by favor on the floor
of the House. We might go up to the capitol and look about," Radbourn
suggested.

They walked up the ste