"No; assuredly not. One of the most strictly followed laws of the United States is that no man can hold the same elective office twice. This law applies to all national and State offices, but not to others below that dignity." "Does this law not tend to deprive the State and nation of the services of tried and capable men?" "Colonel, this nation is great; vast. There are thousands upon thousands of men fully as capable as those in office, ready to take their turn." "And federal appointments, the patronage of the party, as it was formerly called--how are they made?" "Wholly upon competitive examination; not in scientific branches of learning, but upon the duties required, together with a common-school education." "And the term of office?" "In many positions it is during active life; in others for ten years, or less periods. But in all cases the period is known, and removals never take place without cause having been given by the incumbent: this cause is never political." "I see we are at the door," reluctantly said Cobb, as the drag came to a standstill before the entrance to the executive mansion, "so will ask you no more questions to-day--but the subject is one of great interest to me." After dinner, as Cobb and Hugh were lounging about and smoking their cigars, the President came into the room and handed the former the evening paper, remarking: "You have not seen a paper to-day. Here is the American: you will find all the news in it." Moving toward the door, the President turned around, and added: "By the bye, Junius, Captain Hathaway will report to you this evening for orders; dispose of him as you please," and he passed out into the hall. "Don't mind me, Junius," said Hugh; "read your paper. I'll look at the society news in it--there is no such nonsense in yours," drawing out the "Washington Report" from his pocket. CHAPTER XII Leaning back in his chair, and sending upward clouds of smoke from his fragrant cigar, Cobb unfolded the paper, and glanced at the title-page. "Hello! The 'Daily American,'" he said to himself. "Another copy of the paper I saw in San Francisco." Opening it, he observed the same peculiarities which had attracted his attention before, the same headings for the columns, the same want of regularity in the spacing at the ends of the lines, and the same scarcity in the variation of the type used. Glancing at the date, he read: "'America, September 19, 2,000.' This is the 19th," he mused; "surely this paper could not have come from San Francisco, or its vicinity, since its issue." He would ask Hugh, in a moment, to explain it. Hardly knowing where to commence, he took the first column, and read: "FROM EUROPE.