“And they are very wrong things!”
“They seem so to you. That is because you know so little about such matters.”
“You are corrupting the government of your country, Mr. Wygant!”
“The government of my country, as you call it, consisting of a number of blackmailing politicians, who exist to prey upon the business I represent.”
There was a pause. “You see, young man,” said Mr. Wygant, “I have many responsibilities upon my shoulders—many interests looking to me for protection. And it is as if I were surrounded by a pack of wolves.”
“But meantime,” cried Samuel, “what is becoming of free government?”
“I do not know,” the other replied. “I sometimes think that unless the people reform, free government will soon come to an end.”
“But what are the people to do, sir?”
“They are to elect honest men, with whom one can do business—instead of the peasant saloon keepers and blatherskite labor leaders whom they choose at present.”
Samuel thought for a moment. “Men with whom one can do business,” he said—“but what kind of business do you want to do?”