the old
parties, and by corporations tired of being "blackmailed" by Kelly and
House, and desirous of getting into office men who would give them what
they wanted because it was for the public good that they should not be
hampered in any way. With plenty of money an excellent machine could
be built and set to running. Also, there was talk of a fusion with the
Democratic machine, House to order the wholesale indorsement of the
reform ticket in exchange for a few minor places.

When the excitement among the young gentlemen over the approaching
moral regeneration of Remsen City politics was at the boiling point
Victor Dorn sent for David Hull--asked him to come to the Baker Avenue
cafe', which was the social headquarters of Dorn's Workingmen's League.
As Hull was rather counting on Dorn's support, or at least neutrality,
in the approaching contest, he accepted promptly. As he entered the
cafe' he saw Dorn seated at a table in a far corner listening calmly to
a man who was obviously angrily in earnest. At second glance he
recognized Tony Rivers, one of Dick Kelly's shrewdest lieutenants and a
labor leader of great influence in the unions of factory workers.
Among those in "the know" it was understood that Rivers could come
nearer to delivering the labor vote than any man in Remsen City. He
knew whom to corrupt with bribes and whom to entrap by subtle appeals
to ignorant prejudice. As a large part of his herd was intensely
Catholic, Rivers was a devout Catholic. To quote his own phrase, used
in a company on whose discretion he could count, "Many's the pair of
pants I've worn out doing the stations of the Cross." In fact, Rivers
had been brought up a Presbyterian, and under the name of Blake--his
correct name--had "done a stretch" in Joliet for picking pockets.

Dorn caught sight of Davy Hull, hanging uncertainly in the offing. He
rose at once, said a few words in a quiet, emphatic way to
Rivers--words of conclusion and dismissal--and advanced to meet Hull.

"I don't want to interrupt. I can wait," said Hull, who saw Rivers'
angry scowl at him. He did not wish to offend the great labor leader.

"That fellow pushed himself on me," said Dorn. "I've nothing to say to
him."

"Tony Rivers--wasn't it?" said Davy as they seated themselves at
another table.

"I'm going to expose him in next week's New Day," replied Victor.
"When I sent him a copy of the article for his corrections, if he could
make any, he came thr