The man chosen
would have the distribution of the federal patronage of the State. This
meant the control of the most influential local politicians of the party in
power at Washington as well as their followers, an almost vital factor for
success in a State where political corruption had so interwoven itself into
the business life of the community.
The hotel lobbies were filled with politicians gathered from every county
in the State. Big bronzed cattlemen brushed shoulders with budding lawyers
from country towns and ward bosses from the larger cities. The bars were
working overtime, and the steady movement of figures in the corridors
lasted all day and most of the night. Here and there were collected groups,
laughing and talking about the old frontier days, or commenting in lowered
tones on some phase of the feverish excitement that was already beginning
to be apparent. Elevators shot up and down, subtracting and adding to the
kaleidoscope of human life in the rotundas. Bellboys hurried to and fro
with messages and cocktails. The ring of the telephone-bell cut
occasionally into the deep hum of many voices.
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