Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/371

 party, and that in my view it could be best accomplished by endeavoring to work out certain results. Penrose is a large man, tall and stout, dark in complexion, with a heavy growth of hair on his head, a graduate of Harvard, intelligent and able to make a clear and convincing speech, cynical in his philosophy, given to self-indulgence and mentally slothful. I never knew him to indicate that he was looking further than the results of the next election. I never knew him to urge support of a man or a measure upon the ground that the man was the most capable for the position or that the measure was likely to produce beneficial results, but his thought seemed ever to be to ascertain what would tide over an existing emergency in some political combination. Had I followed his advice I would, on one occasion, have appointed a judge who within two weeks thereafter was arrested upon a charge of embezzlement.

Soon after Quay's death I said to him:

“Senator, there will be a great contest in this state over the election of the next governor and you had better be making your arrangements now in preparation for it.” His reply was:

“Nonsense, there is not a sign of disturbance anywhere in the state. It would cost $250,000 and there is not a man in the state who would be willing to spend the money. If Durham and I cannot manage the next convention and election we ought to go and hide our heads.”

He turned to Israel W. Durham, who was present, and Durham agreed with him. I insisted upon my view.

“Why, do you know anything?” he inquired.

“No, I do not know a thing, but let me tell you this—there are a lot of uneasy people all over the state whom Quay had suppressed. He had beaten them so often that they feared to enter a contest with him. You are untried. They will be up in arms and you will have to fight for your seat before you can hold it and their opportunity will come over the governorship.” Rh