But at last some satisfaction came.

Senator Hanna was president of the National Civic Federation, a body composed of capitalists and workmen which exerted a benign influence over both employers and employed, and the Honorable Oscar Straus, who was then vice-president, invited me to dine at his house and meet the officials of the Federation.

Before the date appointed Mark Hanna, its president, my lifelong friend and former agent at Cleveland, had suddenly passed away.

I attended the dinner.

At its close Mr.Straus arose and said that the question of a successor to Mr.Hanna had been considered, and he had to report that every labor organization heard from had favored me for the position.
There were present several of the labor leaders who, one after another, arose and corroborated Mr.Straus.
I do not remember so complete a surprise and, I shall confess, one so grateful to me.