to a consideration, a revaluation, of their contracts at the time and
in the manner agreed upon under the original franchise. What you
propose is sumptuary legislation; it makes null and void an agreement
between the people and the street-railway companies at a time when the
people have a right to expect a full and free consideration of this
matter aside from state legislative influence and control. To persuade
the state legislature, by influence or by any other means, to step in
at this time and interfere is unfair. The propositions involved in
those bills should be referred to the people at the next election for
approval or not, just as they see fit. That is the way this matter
should be arranged. It will not do to come into the legislature and
influence or buy votes, and then expect me to write my signature under
the whole matter as satisfactory."

Swanson was not heated or antipathetic. He was cool, firm,
well-intentioned.

Dickensheets passed his hand over a wide, high temple. He seemed to be
meditating something--some hitherto untried statement or course of
action.

"Well, Governor," he repeated, "I want to thank you, anyhow. You have
been exceedingly kind. By the way, I see you have a large, roomy safe
here." He had picked up the bag he was carrying. "I wonder if I might
leave this here for a day or two in your care? It contains some papers
that I do not wish to carry into the country with me. Would you mind
locking it up in your safe and letting me have it when I send for it?"

"With pleasure," replied the governor.

He took it, placed it in lower storage space, and closed and locked the
door. The two men parted with a genial hand-shake. The governor
returned to his meditations, the judge hurried to catch a car.

About eleven o'clock the next morning Swanson was still working in his
office, worrying greatly over some method whereby he could raise one
hundred thousand dollars to defray interest charges, repairs, and other
payments, on a structure that was by no means meeting expenses and was
hence a drain. At this juncture his office door opened, and his very
youthful office-boy presented him the card of F. A. Cowperwood. The
governor had never seen him before. Cowperwood entered brisk, fresh,
forceful. He was as crisp as a new dollar bill--as clean, sharp,
firmly limned.

"Governor Swanson, I believe?"

"Yes, sir."

The two were scrutinizing each other defensively.

"I am Mr. Cowpe