“That is bad,” Mr. Stanford said, looking at his watch. “But I don't see how I can help you San Diego people. If Mr. Huntington effects some compromise with Mr. Scott, we will then build a branch road, as I said.”
“And what if there is no compromise?”
“Then, of course, there will be no road for you—that is to say, no Texas Pacific in California.”
“Why not, Governor? ‘Live and let live,’” Don Mariano said.
“You don't seem to think of business principles. You forget that in business every one is for himself. If it is to our interest to prevent the construction of the Texas Pacific, do you suppose we will stop to consider that we might inconvenience the San Diego people?”
“It is not a matter of inconvenience—it is ruin, it is poverty, suffering, distress; perhaps despair and death,” said Mr. Mechlin. “Our merchants, our farmers, all, the entire county will suffer great distress or ruin, for they have embarked their all in the hope of immediate prosperity, in the hope that emigration would come to us, should our town be the western terminus.”
“You should have been more cautious; not so rash.”
“How could we have foreseen that you would prevent the construction of the Texas Pacific?”
“Easily. By studying business principles; by perceiving it would be to our interest to prevent it.”
“We never thought, and do not think now, that it is to your interest to prevent it. But even if we had thought so, we would not have supposed that you would attempt it,” Mr. Mechlin replied.