"But who is to say what the majority wants ?" "Aren't we--the party leaders--who are meeting daily the ward leaders, and the big men in the different districts, better able to know what the people want than the man who sits in the governor's room, with a doorkeeper to prevent the people from seeing him ?" "You may not choose to do what the people want." "Of course.

I've helped push things that I knew were unpopular.

But this is very unusual, because it's risky.

Remember, we can only do things when our party is in power, so it is our interest to do what will please the people, if we are to command majorities and remain in office.
Individually we have got to do what the majority of our party wants done, or we are thrown out, and new men take our places.

And it's just the same way with the parties." "Well," said Peter, "I understand the condition better, and can see what I could not fathom before, why the city delegates want Catlin.