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party is in a very bad position, so far as this election is concerned. In a way, however innocently,
you have helped to put it there, Mr, Cowperwood. Mr. Butler, for some reason to which I am not
a party, seems deeply and personally incensed. And Mr. Butler is a great power here--"
(Cowperwood began to wonder whether by any chance Butler had indicated the nature of his
social offense against himself, but he could not bring himself to believe that. It was not
probable.) "I sympathize with you greatly, Mr. Cowperwood, but what I suggest is that you first
See Mr. Butler and Mr. Simpson. If they agree to any program of aid, I will not be opposed to
joining. But apart from that I do not know exactly what I can do. I am only one of those who
have a slight say in the affairs of Philadelphia."
At this point, Mollenhauer rather expected Cowperwood to make an offer of his own holdings,
but he did not. Instead he said, "I'm very much obliged to you, Mr. Mollenhauer, for the courtesy
of this interview. I believe you would help me if you could. I shall just have to fight it out the best
way I can. Good day."
And he bowed himself out. He saw clearly how hopeless was his quest.
In the meanwhile, finding that the rumors were growing in volume and that no one appeared to
be willing to take steps to straighten the matter out, Mr. Skelton C. Wheat, President of the
Citizens' Municipal Reform Association, was, at last and that by no means against his will,
compelled to call together the committee of ten estimable Philadelphians of which he was
chairman, in a local committee-hall on Market Street, and lay the matter of the Cowperwood
failure before it.
"It strikes me, gentlemen," he announced, "that this is an occasion when this organization can
render a signal service to the city and the people of Philadelphia, and prove the significance and
the merit of the title originally selected for it, by making such a thoroughgoing investigation as
will bring to light all the facts in this case, and then by standing vigorously behind them insist
that such nefarious practices as we are informed were indulged in in this case shall cease. I
know it may prove to be a difficult task. The Republican party and its local and State interests
are certain to be against us. Its leaders are unquestionably most anxious to avoid comment and
to have their ticket go through undisturbed, and they will not contemplate with any equanimity
our opening activity in this matter; but if we persevere, great good will surely come of it. There is
too much dishonesty in public life as it is. There is a standard of right in these matters which
cannot permanently be ignored, and which must eventually be fulfilled. I leave this matter to
your courteous consideration."
Mr. Wheat sat down, and the body before him immediately took the matter which he proposed
under advisement. It was decided to appoint a subcommittee "to investigate" (to quote the
statement eventually given to the public) "the peculiar rumors now affecting one of the most
important and distinguished offices of our municipal government," and to report at the next
meeting, which was set for the following evening at nine o'clock. The meeting adjourned, and
the following night at nine reassembled, four individuals of very shrewd financial judgment
having meantime been about the task assigned them. They drew up a very elaborate statement,
not wholly in accordance with the facts, but as nearly so as could be ascertained in so short a
space of time.
"It appears [read the report, after a preamble which explained why the committee had been
appointed] that it has been the custom of city treasurers for years, when loans have been
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