But big business men contributed to him large sums of money, which enabled him to keep his grip on the machine and secured for them the help of the machine if they were threatened with adverse legislation.

The contributions were given in the guise of contributions for campaign purposes, of money for the good of the party; when the money was contributed there was rarely talk of specific favors in return.[*] It was simply put into Mr.Platt's hands and treated by him as in the campaign chest.

Then he distributed it in the districts where it was most needed by the candidates and organization leaders.

Ordinarily no pledge was required from the latter to the bosses, any more than it was required by the business men from Mr.Platt or his lieutenants.

No pledge was needed.