Years of experience has convinced him that the human race is
composed, for the most part, of hopelessly improvident people and
that a great part of the globe would be depopulated through
starvation and disease if it were not for the foresight, ability,
and thrift of the handful of leaders whom Divine Providence has
provided. He looks upon himself as one of the instruments of
Providence and he sincerely believes that the policies which he has
supported since his early experience with the reformers are
responsible for the happiness and prosperity of many a family. He
would consider it the height of absurdity for any of these poor,
worthy, but ignorant people to expect the comforts which they have
enjoyed without the protection afforded their employers by the
Republican Party.
By this somewhat unpopular method of reasoning, he believes that he
of all the men in public life has made the most persistent and
consistent fight for the masses. It is undoubtedly this calm faith
and sincere belief in his own rectitude which has enabled him to
hold the tremendous power he has exerted since Nelson Aldrich
retired from the Senate.
I have presented his political philosophy in some detail because he
is probably the most misjudged man in Washington. People are
inclined to look upon him as a glorified boss who deals in politics
as other men deal in commodities;--it is hardly a fair estimate of
the man.
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