“It has always seemed to me that a conciliatory spirit secures the most definite results for the public,” assented Lyons.

“Precisely.  See here, Lyons,” Elton said, leaning forward across the table at which they were sitting, “I wish to be entirely frank with you.  You know me well enough to understand that I have not offered you my support in any philanthropic spirit.  I could not have deceived you as to this had I tried.  I am a practical man, and have an axe to grind.  I am urging your election as Governor because I believe you to possess intelligent capacity to discriminate between what is harmful to the community and what is due to healthy, individual enterprise—­the energy which is the sap of American citizenship.  We capitalists have no fear of an honest man, provided he has the desire and the ability to protect legitimate business acumen against the slander of mere demagogues.  I have a bill here,” he added, drawing a printed document from his pocket, “which I am desirous to see passed by the next legislature.  It embodies a charter authorizing the acquisition and merger in one corporation of all the gas companies of this State, and an extension of corporate powers so as to cover all forms of municipal lighting.  Were your hands not tied by your prospective election, I should be glad to offer you an opportunity to become one of the incorporators, for I believe that the undertaking will be lucrative.  That, of course, is out of the question.  Now then, this is a perfectly honest bill.  On its face, to be sure, it secures a valuable franchise for the petitioners, and consequently may encounter some opposition.  But, on the other hand, no one who considers the matter candidly and closely can fail to recognize that the great public will secure cheaper gas and more efficient service as the result of the consolidation.  And there is where I felt that I could count on your intelligence.  You would not allow the plea that capitalists were interested in obtaining a profitable franchise to obscure the more vital consideration that the community will be the true gainers.”

Lyons bowed graciously, and stroked his beard.  “What is it you wish me to do?” he asked.

“To read the bill in the first place; to convince yourself that what I have told you is true; to satisfy yourself that the measure is essentially harmless.  The bill is not long.  Read it now and let me hear your objections.  I have some papers here to look over which will occupy me a quarter of an hour, if you can spare me the time.”

Lyons acquiesced, and proceeded to peruse slowly the document.  When he had finished it he folded it solemnly and returned it to Elton.  “It is a bill framed in the interest of capital, but I cannot say that the public will be prejudiced by it.  On the contrary, I should judge that the price of gas in our cities and towns would be lowered as a consequence of the reduction in running expenses caused by the projected consolidation.  What is it that you wish me to do?”