The political bosses of an American Great City are ready to put careless playboy Alwyn Bennett into the mayor’s mansion–provided he will do their bidding in office. An inspired campaigner, he wins the people’s mandate with surprising ease.

When a crooked bill lands on his desk, his choice to sign or veto is not just between cronies and constituency, but between his political fortunes and his family’s reputation, and in the balance lies the faith of the woman he loves.

But when a man has earned the trust of the people, can he so easily reward the men in the backroom?