I don’t want a position in the Cabinet.  I am not looking for any further honors, but I want to help Wilson make a success of his administration, for I think he will be elected.  I am afraid that he will become surrounded by Southern reactionaries—­men of his own blood and feeling, who are not of the Northern and more progressive type.  We have got to cut some sharp corners in doing the things that are right.  By this I don’t mean that we will do anything that is wrong; but from the standpoint of the Southern Democrat it is illegal to have a strong central government—­one that is effective—­and we have got to have such a government if we are going to hold possession of the Nation.  The people want things done.  Wilson is a bit too conservative for me, but maybe when he realizes the necessity for strength he will be for it.

I am sorry for B—.  Poor chap!  His alliance with Hearst undid years of good work ...  As always yours,

FRANKLIN K. LANE

To Adolph C. Miller

Washington, October 18, 1912

My dear Adolph,—­I have postponed until the last minute writing you regarding my proposed visit in California.  I see now clearly that it is impossible for me to get out there this fall.  The Express Case ... is still on my hands, and with all of my energy I shall not be able to get rid of it until the first of the year at least ...  Moreover (and this is a personal matter that I wish you would not say anything about) ...  I am doing my work in a great deal of pain, and have been for the last three or four weeks ...  I cannot work as hard as I did some time ago ...

I rebel at sickness as much as I do at death.  The scheme of existence does not appeal to me, at the moment, as the most perfect which a highly imaginative Creator could have invented.  My transcendental philosophy seems a pretty good working article when things are going smoothly, but it is not quite equal to hard practical strain, I fear.

Politically things look like Wilson, though I suppose T. R. will get California and a lot of other states.  I think he will beat Taft badly.  The new party has come to stay, and it will be a tremendous influence for good.  I don’t take any stock in the talk about T. R’s personal ambition being his controlling motive.  I think that he has found a religious purpose in life to which he can devote himself the rest of his days, not to get himself into office but to keep things moving along right lines.

Remember me most kindly to your wife and President Wheeler.  As always yours,

FRANKLIN K. LANE

To William F. McCombs Chairman, Democratic National Committee

Washington, October 19,1912