“Well,” said Peter, “I understand the condition better, and can see what I could not fathom before, why the city delegates want Catlin.  But my own ward has come out strong for Porter.  We’ve come to the conclusion that his views on the license question are those which are best for us, and besides, he’s said that he will stand by us in some food and tenement legislation we want.”

“I know about that change, and want to say, Mr. Stirling, that few men of your years and experience, were ever able to do as much so quickly.  But there are other sides, even to these questions, which you may not have yet considered.  Any proposed restriction on the license will not merely scare a lot of saloon-keepers, who will only understand that it sounds unfriendly, but it will alienate every brewer and distiller, for their interest is to see saloons multiplied.  Then food and tenement legislation always stirs up bad feeling in the dealers and owners.  If the opposite party would play fair, we could afford to laugh at it, but you see the party out of power can oppose about anything, knowing that a minority is never held responsible, and so by winning over the malcontents which every piece of legislation is sure to make, before long it goes to the polls with a majority, though it has really been opposing the best interests of the whole state.  We can’t sit still, and do nothing, yet everything we do will alienate some interest.”

“It’s as bad as the doctrine of fore-ordination,” laughed another of the party: 

    “You can’t if you will,
    You can if you won’t,
    You’ll be damned if you do,
    You’ll be damned if you don’t.”

“You just said,” stated Peter, “that the man who could do what the majority wants done every time, would be re-elected.  Doesn’t it hold true as to a party?”

“No.  A party is seldom retained in power for such reasons.  If it has a long tenure of office it is generally due to popular distrust of the other party.  The natural tendency otherwise is to make office-holding a sort of see-saw.  Let alone change of opinion in older men, there are enough new voters every four years to reverse majorities in almost every state.  Of course these young men care little for what either party has done in the past, and being young and ardent, they want to change things.  The minority’s ready to please them, naturally.  Reform they call it, but it’s quite as often ‘Deform’ when they’ve done it.”

Peter smiled and said, “Then you think my views on license, and food-inspection, and tenement-house regulation are ’Deformities’?”

“We won’t say that, but a good many older and shrewder heads have worked over those questions, and while I don’t know what you hope to do, you’ll not be the first to want to try a change, Mr. Stirling.”

“I hope to do good.  I may fail, but it’s not right as it is, and I must try to better it.”  Peter spoke seriously, and his voice was very clear.  “I’m glad to have had this talk, before the convention meets.  You are all experienced men, and I value your opinions.”