The Further Adventures of Quincy Adams Sawyer and Masons Corner Folks | Page 6

each member voting
against the bill sheltering himself behind the veto. Thus do partisans
play politics with the head of their party. While he was reading the bill
the lieutenant-governor was ushered in again.

"Downing has been talking with me about his bill. He says you are
going to veto it."
"I did not say so. I asked him his reasons for turning over public
property for private use and gain, and he did not seem well-prepared to
answer me."
Mr. Evans replied, "The best reason, to my mind is, that the heaviest
tax payers, members of our party, are all in favour of the bill."
"Are they numerous enough to elect a governor who will do their
bidding?"
"Perhaps not, but their money is powerful enough to do it"--he
paused--"if it becomes necessary."
The Governor arose, and Mr. Evans, influenced by the action, did the
same. The two men faced each other.
"Mr. Evans," and the Governor seemed to increase in stature, "I fully
understand your last remark--if it becomes necessary. You shall have
an open field. I prize the great honour that has been conferred upon me
by placing me here, but I must confess I dislike the duties,
circumscribed as they are by personal and political influences. I can
understand, now, why a ruler wishes to be an autocrat. It is the only
way in which he can make his personality a part of his body. I shall not
be a candidate for re-election this autumn. I wish my personal freedom
of action, and I prize it more than fame or power."
"May I mention your decision to the leaders of the party?"
"If you so desire. From this moment I am to be untrammelled except by
my official oath."
Mr. Evans took his leave, evidently pleased with a part of what he had
heard, and in a short time was closeted with some leading politicians in
a private room of a prominent hotel.

The Governor resumed his reading of the labour bill, but was aroused
from his contemplation of its provisions by the entrance of Mr. Amos
Acton. Mr. Acton was secretary of a manufacturer's association. He
was tall and spare. His hair was sandy in hue, and his mouth twitched
nervously.
"Your Excellency, I came to see you about that picketing bill. If it
becomes a law our manufacturers will be driven from the State. They
are now seriously handicapped by the vigorous provisions of existing
laws. I trust your Excellency will not add to our present burdens."
"I have read the bill, Mr. Acton. It seems conservative, with full
provision for the protection of life and property."
"That's not the question. When Union men strike we must have the
Non- Union men to fill their places; but this bill says the Non-Union
man shan't work."
"It says the Union man may persuade him, peacefully, not to work."
"We all know what that means. If he does work, he will be called a
'scab' and his family will be ostracized in every possible way."
"It is hard to draw the line," said the governor. "You say, or imply, that
every man has a right to work for whoever will employ him. Granted.
But do you always give him work when he wants it? Do you pay him
what he asks, or do you not fix the rate of wage? You must realize the
fact that collective bargaining has superseded dealing with the
individual."
"Some of us do not allow that," said Mr. Acton.
"I know it, and that causes the difficulty. Your relations with your
employees should be based upon trade agreements, legalized and
strongly adhered to by both sides."
"I have just come from a meeting of leading manufacturers," said Mr.
Acton, "and they wished me to express to you their urgent request, I

may say solicitation, that you will veto this bill."
After Mr. Acton's departure, Quincy rang for his secretary, to whom he
delivered the papers containing his official decisions.
Mr. Williams was renominated for the position that he had so long and
so ably filled.
As members of "The Industrial Expansion Commission" nine
manufacturers were named, one for each of the leading industries of the
State, chosen independent of known or presumed political affiliations;
Mr. Collingwood's name was not among them.
A vigorous veto of the bill giving a private corporation control of
public property was sent to the Senate.
The "peaceful picketing" bill was signed.
The door opened, and a pretty face looked in.
"Come in, Maude--I've just finished." As the secretary withdrew,
keeping his eyes fixed on the governor's youngest sister, she advanced
slowly into the room. The door closed automatically and Maude
tip-toed to her brother's side, returning his welcoming kiss.
"What's his name?" she asked, pointing towards the self-closing door.