We've got trouble enough on hand in the
party this year without letting the convention express itself on the
liquor question, even if the split only amounts to a sliver."
He pulled his chair to the table, spread some papers there, and
commanded attention by tapping his eyeglasses on the sheets.
"Here's the programme for the routine: Called to order at ten-thirty by
chairman of State Committee. Call read by secretary. On motion of Davis
Bolton, of Hollis, proceed to effect temporary organization--Senator
Walker Pownal, chairman--and so forth. On motion of Parker Blake, of
Jay, ten minutes' recess declared for county delegations to choose
vice-president, member of State Committee, and member of the Committee
on Resolutions."
As he read on, Harlan opened his eyes as well as his ears. The
convention of the morrow had been blocked out to the last detail. Every
motion that was to be made, every step that was to be taken, had its man
assigned to it--and that man had already been notified and tagged.
Fifteen hundred men, assembled presumably as free and independent agents
to take counsel for the good of the party, were here bound to the
narrowest routine, with programme cut and dried to such an extent that
one who dared to lift his voice to interrupt would be considered an
interloper.
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