'That's
what Crupper and Smollet are doing in London. They're dividing the pie
between the two parties.'
'That's very interesting, but how are they going to deliver the pieces?'
'Simple as shelling peas. You see, our great pull is the conscientious
citizen--the voter who wants to vote right, and for a good man. If it
weren't for the good men as candidates and the good men as voters, New
York politics would be a pretty uncertain game. You see, the so-called
respectable element in both parties is our only hope. Each believes in
his party, thinks his crowd is better than the other fellow's, so all you
have to do is to nominate an honest man to represent each party, and then
that divides what they call the reputable vote, and we real politicians
get our man in between the two. That's all there is in New York politics.
Well, Senator Smollet threatened not to put up a good man on the
conscientious ticket, and that would have turned the whole unbribable
vote of both parties against us, so we had to make a deal with him, and
throw in the next Presidential election. Crupper's no hog; he knows when
he's had plenty, and New York's good enough for him. He don't care who
gets the Presidency.'
'And this conference has been held?'
'That's right. It took place in this hotel.'
'The bargain was made, I suppose?'
'It was. The pie was divided.'
'And you didn't get a slice?'
'Oh, I beg your pardon, I did!'
'Then, why do you come to me and tell me all this--if it's true?'
Honest indignation shone in Fleming's face.
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