“ThemenwhohaveheldofficeinthisState，“hesaid，“havealwaysbeenwillingtolistentoanysuggestionImayhavethoughtpropertomaketothem。ThisisundoubtedlybecauseIamattheheadofthepropertywhichpaysthelargesttaxes。NeedlesstosayIamcharyofmakingsuggestions。ButIamsurprisedthatyoushouldhavejumpedataconclusionwhichistheresultofapopularandunfortunatelyprevalentopinionthattheNortheasternRailroadsmeddledinanywaywiththegovernmentorpoliticsofthisState。Iamgladofthisopportunityofassuringyouthatwedonot，“hecontinued，leaningforwardandholdinguphishandtowardoffinterruption，“andIknowthatSenatorWhitredgewillbearmeoutinthisstatement，too。“
Thesenatornoddedgravely。Mr。Crewe，whowasanythingbutafool，andjustasassertiveasMr。Flint，cutin。
“Lookhere，Mr。Flint，“hesaid，“Iknowwhatalobbyis。Ihaven\'tbeenadirectorinrailroadsmyselffornothing。Ihavenoobjectiontoalobby。YouemploycounselbeforetheLegislature，don\'tyou——“
“Wedo，“saidMr。Flint，interrupting，“thebestandmosthonourablecounselwecanfindintheState。Whennecessary，theyappearbeforethelegislativecommittees。AsapropertyholderintheState，andanadmirerofitsbeauties，andasitswell-wisher，itwillgivemegreatpleasuretolookoveryourbills，andusewhateverpersonalinfluenceI
mayhaveasacitizentoforwardthem，shouldtheymeetmyapproval。AndIamespeciallygladtodothisasaneighbour，Mr。Crewe。Asaneighbour，“herepeated，significantly。