"
"Perhaps if you recommend it, some attention will be given it, but I
should not care to prejudice my political standing by endorsing such
an amendment."
"I will consider the question carefully," said Quincy, wearily, as he
laid down the bill, and Senator Downing departed.
The next bill was what was called "a labour measure." It gave members
of trade unions a right demanded by them, called "peaceful
picketing;" in other words, during a strike, the right to use
argument, persuasion, in fact any rightful inducement to keep a non-
union man from working for the "struck" firm or corporation. The bill
had been passed by a majority of 48 in the House, and by the narrow
margin of one vote in the Senate. A tie had been expected when the
President of the Senate, who was a prominent manufacturer was counted
upon to kill the bill. If the Governor vetoed it, the Senate would
probably sustain the veto, throwing the greater responsibility upon
him, each member voting against the bill sheltering himself behind
the veto. Thus do partisans play politics with the head of their
party. While he was reading the bill the lieutenant-governor was
ushered in again.
"Downing has been talking with me about his bill. He says you are
going to veto it."
"I did not say so. I asked him his reasons for turning over public
property for private use and gain, and he did not seem well-prepared
to answer me.
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