My aim was persistently to refuse to be put in a position where what I did would seem to be a mere faction struggle against Senator Platt.

My aim was to make a fight only when I could so manage it that there could be no question in the minds of honest men that my prime purpose was not to attack Mr.Platt or any one else except as a necessary incident to securing clean and efficient government.
In each case I did my best to persuade Mr.Platt not to oppose me.

I endeavored to make it clear to him that I was not trying to wrest the organization from him; and I always gave him in detail the reasons why I felt I had to take the position I intended to adopt.

It was only after I had exhausted all the resources of my patience that I would finally, if he still proved obstinate, tell him that I intended to make the fight anyhow.

As I have said, the Senator was an old and feeble man in physique, and it was possible for him to go about very little.