s also that back country that stretches
to the horizon from the back door of every printing office. The Clarion
was the organ of the political Outs as The Pioneer was that of the
Ins. Politics in British Columbia had not yet arrived at that stage of
development wherein parties differentiate themselves from each other
upon great principles. The Ins were in and the Outs opposed them chiefly
on that ground.

"Well," said Daggett, with an air of gentle patronage, "how did the
meeting go last night?"

"I don't suppose you need to ask. I saw you there. It didn't go at all."

"Yes," replied Daggett, "your men are all right in their opinions, but
they never allow their opinions to interfere with business. I could have
told you every last man of them was scared. There's Matheson, couldn't
stand up against his wholesale grocer. Religion mustn't interfere with
sales. The saloons and 'red lights' pay cash; therefore, quit your
nonsense and stick to business. Hutton sells more drugs and perfumes
to the 'red lights' than to all the rest of the town and country put
together. Goring's chief won't stand any monkeying with politics.
Leave things as they are. Why, even the ladies decline to imperil their
husbands' business."

Dick swallowed the bitter pill without a wink. He was down, but he was
not yet completely out. Only too well he knew the truth of Daggett's
review of the situation.

"There is something in what you say," he conceded, "but--"

"Oh, come now," interrupted Daggett, "you know better than that. This
town and this country is run by the whiskey ring. Why, there's Hickey,
he daren't arrest saloonkeeper or gambler, though he hates whiskey
and the whole outfit worse than poison. Why doesn't he? The Honourable
McKenty, M. P., drops him a hint. Hickey is told to mind his own
business and leave the saloon and the 'red lights' alone, and so poor
Hickey is sitting down trying to discover what his business is ever
since. The safe thing is to do nothing."

"You seem to know all about it," said Dick. "What's the good of your
paper? Why don't you get after these men?"

"My dear sir, are you an old newspaper man, and ask that? It is quite
true that The Clarion is the champion of liberty, the great moulder of
public opinion, the leader in all moral reform, but unhappily, not being
an endowed institution, it is forced to consider advertising space.
Advertising, circulation, subscriptions, these are the considerations
that determ