In consequence we strained every nerve.

Money was freely spent, even to an amount much in excess of our resources.

How it was employed, I will not say.
"I do not even know, for I held myself aloof from these details, which fell to the National Central Committee of which I was not a member.
The great point was that a very large sum had been borrowed on pledged securities, and must be repaid.

The members of the National Committee and certain senators held discussions on the subject, in which I shared.
The end was that towards the close of the session the head of the committee, accompanied by two senators, came to me and told me that I must abandon my opposition to the Steamship Subsidy.

They made no open avowal of their reasons, and I did not press for one.