be killed. The Cotton Inspection Bill‚ÅÝ‚Äîour chief measure‚ÅÝ‚Äîmust be slipped through quietly by Southern votes, while in the Tariff mix-up we must take good care of cotton.
“Now, on the other hand, we are offending the Southerners in three ways: Todd’s revived Blair Bill is too good a thing for niggers; the South is clamoring for a first classy embassy appointment; and the President’s nomination of Alwyn as Treasurer will raise a howl from Virginia to Texas.”
“There is some strong influence back of Alwyn,” said Senator Smith; “not only are the Negroes enthused, but the President has daily letters from prominent whites.”
“The strong influence is named Vanderpool,” Easterly drily remarked. “She’s playing a bigger political game than I laid out for her. That’s the devil with women: they can’t concentrate: they get too damned many side issues. Now, I offered her husband the French ambassadorship provided she’d keep the Southerners feeling good toward us. She’s hand in glove with the Southerners, all right; but she wants not only her husband’s appointment but this darkey’s too.”
“But that’s been decided, hasn’t it?” put in Smith.
‚ÄúYes,‚Äù grumbled Easterly; ‚Äúbut it makes it hard already. At any rate, the Educational Bill must be killed right off. No more talk; no more consideration‚ÅÝ‚Äîkill it, and kill it now. Now about this Child Labor Bill: Todd‚Äôs Civic Club is raising the mischief. Who‚Äôs responsible?‚Äù
The silent Jackson spoke up. “Congressman Cresswell’s wife has been very active, and Todd thinks they’ve got the South with them.”