Then would follow a detailed statement of the difficulties, and a general discussion.  The commonest laborer was free to offer his advice.  Every question was answered in the broadest spirit of fellowship.  An inquiry as to “what to do” frequently brought the most helpful advice.  Weak and impossible solutions were met as such, and shown to be what they were.  Radicals were assuaged, conservatives urged forward.  The whole political situation was so detailed and explained that no intelligent person could leave, it was thought, with a false impression of the mayor’s position or intent.

With five thousand or more such associated citizens abroad each day explaining, defending, approving the official conduct of the mayor, because they understood it, no misleading conceptions, it was thought, could arise.  Men said that his purpose and current leaning in any matter was always clear.  He was thought to be closer to his constituency than any other official within the whole range of the Americas and that there could be nothing but unreasoning partisan opposition to his rule.

After one year of such service a presidential campaign drew near, and the mayor’s campaign for reelection had to be contested at the same time.  No gas monopoly evil was now a subject of contention.  Streets were clean, contracts fairly executed; the general municipal interests as satisfactorily attended to as could be expected.  Only the grade crossing war remained as an issue, and that would require still another vote after this.  His record was the only available campaign argument.

On the other side, however, were the two organizations of the locally defeated great parties, and the railroad.  The latter, insistent in its bitterness, now organized these two bodies into a powerful opposition.  Newspapers were subsidized; the national significance of the campaign magnified; a large number of railroad-hands colonized.  When the final weeks of the campaign arrived a bitter contest was waged, and money triumphed.  Five thousand four hundred votes were cast for the mayor.  Five thousand four hundred and fifty for the opposing candidate, who was of the same party as the successful presidential nominee.

It was a bitter blow, but still one easily borne by the mayor, who was considerable of a philosopher.  With simple, undisturbed grace he retired, and three days later applied to one of the principal shoe factories for work at his trade.

“What?  You’re not looking for a job, are you?” exclaimed the astonished foreman.

“I am,” said the mayor.

“You can go to work, all right, but I should think you could get into something better now.”

“I suppose I can later,” he replied, “when I complete my law studies.  Just now I want to do this for a change, to see how things are with the rank and file.”  And donning the apron he had brought with him he went to work.