Page:Upbuilders by Lincoln Steffens.djvu/270

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Ience that those young men suggested seeing him. Walter Cheesman was president of the Denver Water Company, and therefore “had to” be part of the System which causes the corruption and the evils that, as a philanthropist, he “had to” contribute money to ameliorate.

The Judge went to see the philanthropist. Fie told Mr. Cheesman about the plot and the caucus.

“You, Mr. Cheesman, you know,” he said, “what I have done in that office. You know I have slaved and worked and fought; that it has been often a hell on earth. You know, too, that I have saved the county very much money, in many ways; that I have tried to walk straight and do right; and that I have begun for the children a work that must not stop now.”

“Judge,” said Mr. Cheesman, “I am sorry, and I have just been talking to Mr. Field about your case.”

Mr. Field ? Mr. Field was the president of the Telephone Company, another privileged business. _ The Judge was seeing the System plainly.

“Mr. Field and I discussed the case, Judge,” said Mr. Cheesman, “and we are very sorry, but we can do nothing. With us, politics is business and — business comes first. You might as well understand it. My advice to