was with the famous breakfasts. "A series of breakfasts was
always the prelude to some active warfare."

For Roosevelt and Platt still had their pitched battles. The most
epic of them all was fought over the reappointment of the State
Superintendent of Insurance. The incumbent was Louis F. Payn, a
veteran petty boss from a country district and one of Platt's
right-hand men. Roosevelt discovered that Payn had been involved
in compromising relations with certain financiers in New York
with whom he "did not deem it expedient that the Superintendent
of Insurance, while such, should have any intimate and
money-making relations." The Governor therefore decided not to
reappoint him. Platt issued an ultimatum that Payn must be
reappointed or he would fight. He pointed out that in case of a
fight Payn would stay in anyway, since the consent of the State
Senate was necessary not only to appoint a man to office but to
remove him from office. The Governor replied cheerfully that he
had made up his mind and that Payn would not be retained. If he
could not get his successor confirmed, he would make the
appointment as soon as the Legislature adjourned, and the
appointment would stand at least until the Legislature met again.
Platt declared in turn that Payn would be reinstated as soon as
the Legislature reconvened. Roosevelt admitted the possibility,
but assured his opponent that the process would be repeated as
soon as that session came to an end. He added his conviction
that, while he might have an uncomfortable time himself, he would
guarantee that his opponents would be made more uncomfortable
still. Thus the matter stood in the weeks before final action
could be taken. Platt was sure that Roosevelt must yield. But
once more he did not know his man. It is curious how long it