The third year the Republicans carried the Legislature, and the bosses at once took a hand in the Speakership contest.

I made a stout fight for the nomination, but the bosses of the two factions, the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds, combined and I was beaten.

I was much chagrined for the moment.

But the fact that I had fought hard and efficiently, even though defeated, and that I had made the fight single-handed, with no machine back of me, assured my standing as floor leader.

My defeat in the end materially strengthened my position, and enabled me to accomplish far more than I could have accomplished as Speaker.