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perhaps some truth in it. The people don't stay interested in politics unless you do them a favor, unless you keep them working for the government in a job that at least they think you could take away from them. The mere fact that they think, even though they're civil servants, that you gave them the job, that they're beholden to you for it, and that you can take it away, keeps them ready to be patriotic and participate in political life.

I described myself as being interested in politics and ready to take part whether I had a job or not. I thought that was the part of all good and decent people. He thought that there were a few of us who would do things like that, but as for the rank and file they wouldn't stay interested in politics. He said, “They're certainly not the kind of people we have to rely on. I'll tell you what (he had lots of political wisdom really) these political parties are of the greatest importance and benefit to the United States and to the State of New York because we give stability. Otherwise the people would always be following whims, notions, new ideas, self-appointed leaders who spring up, do well for a while, catch the eye of the people. Even with the party those people spring up. Look at William Jennings Bryan.”

I said, “Bryan was a Democrat.”

“Ah he was a Populist,” he said. “He was a Populist in Democrat's clothes. We swallowed him and I voted for him.