A legislature could no
more ignore him than you could ignore a man who is pounding you over the
head with a bed-slat. Queed had proved his cases in a dozen ways,
historically and analogically, politically, morally, and scientifically,
socially and sociologically. Then, for luck, he proceeded to run through
the whole list again a time or two; and now faithful readers of the
_Post_ cried aloud for mercy, asking each other what under the sun had
got into the paper that it thus massacred and mutilated the
thrice-slain.
But the _Post_, aided by the press of the State which had been
captivated by its ringing logic, continued its merciless fire, and, as
it proved, not insanely. For when the legislature came together, it
turned out to be one of those "economy" sessions, periodically thrust
down the throats of even the wiliest politicians. Not "progress" was its
watchword, but "wise retrenchment." Every observer of events, especially
in states where one party has been long in control, is familiar with
these recurrent manifestations. There is a long period of systematic
reduplication of the offices, multiplying generosity to the faithful,
and enormous geometrical progression of the public payroll.
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