crats were in the position of a plaintiff who had simply to
go through the formality of entering judgment by default
and take possession of the Government on behalf of the
people.

I had never participated in the active work of a national
campaign, and it did not appeal to me to do so. The offer
made me by McCombs to become chairman of the Finance
Committee I had promptly declined, as I thought that if
I had anything to do with the finances of the National
Democratic Committee, I should be treasurer. So I pre-
pared to spend the summer in the Adirondacks. But the
day that I was to take my family to the mountains I
motored down to Sea Girt to bid Governor Wilson good-
bye. The Governor had not yet come down to breakfast,
and, as I had to take an early train to make my connec-
tion for the mountains, I was about to leave when word
came down from him requesting me to wait a few minutes
longer, as he was anxious to see me. Shortly afterward
he came down the steps, as sprightly and active as a man
of thirty, full of energy and determination. When I told
him I had come to say good-bye to him, he was surprised
and concerned.

"This is a great disappointment to me," said Governor
Wilson. "I had hoped that you would accept the position
of chairman of the Finance Committee. This is a new
position which I have asked the National Committee to
create especially for you, and I had relied upon your wil-
lingness to accept it and render me a great service."

I told the Governor that I was disinclined to be merely
a money collector, and unless I was appointed treasurer,
or a member of the Campaign Committee, I should not
care to participate in the campaign. The Governor
answered:

"Of course I expect you to be a member of the Cam-
paign Committee, and I still hope that I can persuade

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