As a prologue to the story you are shown a big landslide, an accident in a gravel pit, as a result of which a workman is killed. You are shown how, under the old insurance law, his family was abused and cheated out of the money justly due them. Following, you are introduced to a young lawyer-politician, a man of the people, who is achieving power and popularity through his progressive methods and beliefs. He is in love with the daughter of one of the big political bosses who is, incidentally, a wealthy, grafting contractor. The boss objects to the young man as a suitor, principally because he fears him in a political way. He fights him bitterly at every turn. When this fails, the boss approaches the young lawyer and seeks to bribe him over to his way of thinking. It is only the appearance of his daughter which keeps him from being thrown from the house. At this point the big boss plays his trump; he forges his daughter's name to a letter which informs the young lawyer that he cannot hope to win the girl, believing, as he does, and fighting her father. The young lawyer sees himself standing between the necessity of choosing between his sweetheart and his beliefs. He decides, after a mental struggle, to pursue the line of duty marked out for him. He will fight for the people. He is elected Senator. The day comes when he must deliver his final appeal in the senate chamber to have the Workmen's Compensation Bill made law. He delivers his address; the girl is there to hear him. A vote is taken. The bill is passed. Prior to this the young senator had visited Governor Cox to secure his support and advice in advancing the cause of the bill. After the bill is passed it comes before the Governor for his signature, the last thing needed to make it law. Several States would like the same. Later, the young senator discovers the letter from his sweetheart to be a forgery. Explanations are made and a reconciliation is brought about, while the old father is forced to consent. You see, then, the practical effects of the compensation law when applied.
