In short, Senator Hanway was for giving the country a noble exhibition of the office seeking the man.
This attitude of holding delicately aloof did not prevent him in the privacy of his study--out of which no secrets escaped--from unbuckling confidentially with ones who, like Richard, were close about his counsel board.

It was not that he required that young journalist's advice; but he needed his help, and so gave him his confidence because he couldn't avoid it.
Richard wore the honors of these confidences easily.

Scores of times, Senator Hanway had gone into the detail of his arrangements to trap delegates, wherefore it bred no surprise in him when, upon this morning, that statesman took up the question of an Anaconda influence, and the extent to which it might be exercised.

Senator Hanway showed Richard a list of fourteen States, all subject to the Anaconda's system of roads.
"In my opinion," said Senator Hanway, "the Anaconda could select the national delegations in these States.

There is no doubt that the fourteen, acting together,--for the list includes three of the largest States in the country,--would decide the nomination.