building men, the men of the
"institutions;" and the men of the postoffice are delegates. It may be
safely guessed that they have no desire other than to hold their places
until better places can be commanded. The party can trust its
delegates. In this hall is gathered the effective governing force of
the whole city. To these men a majority of the citizens have
relinquished the business of public service. All those citizens who
object are in the minority, and a majority of the minority object, only
because it is desired that a different set of men should perform the
same labors in the same way.

The political boss is not in sight. Eight delegations of Harpwood men
are admitted because they cannot be kept out. The convention is called
to order by a motion that a Lockwin man shall be chairman.

Four saloon-keepers stand upon chairs and shout.

Four bouncers of four rival saloons pull the orators down to the floor.
The saloon-keepers are unarmed--their bung-starters are at home. The
Lockwin man is in the chair. He has not been elected. Election in
such a hubbub is impossible, and is not expected.

But the assumption of the chair by anybody is a good thing. The
convention is thus enabled to learn that Corkey is making a speech. A
chair is held on top of another chair. On this conspicuous perch the
hero of the docks holds forth.

Corkey is an oddity. He is a new factor in politics. The rounders are
curious to hear what he is saying.

"Your honor!" cries Corkey in a loud voice.

There is a sensation of merriment, which angers the orator.

"Oh, I know you're all no-gooders," he says. "I know that as well as
any of ye."

There is a hurricane of cat-calls from the galleries.

There are cries of "Come down!" "Pull down his vest!" "See the
sawed-off!"

"Yes, 'come down'!" yells the speaker in a white heat. "That's what
you bloodsuckers make Lockwin do. He come down! I should say he did!
But I'm no soft mark--you hear me? You bet your sweet life!"

The merriment is over. This is outrageous. The dignity of this
convention has been compromised. There is a furious movement in the
rear. The tumult is again unrestrained. Corkey has blundered.

The chairman pounds for order. The police begin to "suppress the
excitement."

"Mr. Corkey, I understand, has an important announcement to make,"
cries the chair.

"You bet I _have_!" corroborates the navigator.

"Spit it out!"

"Make the turn, Co