give you whatever it thinks is good for you. They put on a sort of
patronizing air, as much as to say, "These children are an awful lot
of trouble. They're wantin' candy all the time, and they know that it
will make them sick. They ought to thank goodness that they have
us to take care of them." And if you try to argue with them, they'll
smile in a pityin' sort of way as if they were humorin' a spoiled
child.

But just let a Republican farmer from Chemung or Wayne or
Tioga turn up at the Capital. The Republican Legislature will make
a rush for him and ask him what he wants and tell him if he doesn't
see what he wants to ask for it. If he says his taxes are too high,
they reply to him: "All right, old man, don't let that worry you.
How much do you want us to take off?"

"I guess about fifty per cent will about do for the present," says the
man. "Can you fix me up?"

"Sure," the Legislature agrees. "Give us somethin'
New York City Is Pie for the Hayseeds
23

harder, don't be bashful. We'll take off sixty per cent if you wish.
That's what we're here for."

Then the Legislature goes and passes a law increasin' the liquor tax
or some other tax in New York City, takes a half of the proceeds
for the State Treasury and cuts down the farmers' taxes to suit. It's
as easy as rollin' off a log-when you've got a good workin' majority
and no conscience to speak of.