第39章

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 threatening.''

``I've heard he's a dangerous man,'' said Davy.

``He'll not be so dangerous after Saturday,'' replied Victor.

``One by one I'm putting the labor agents of your friends out of business.The best ones--the chaps like Rivers--are hard to catch.And if I should attack one of them before I had him dead to rights, I'd only strengthen him.''

``You think you can destroy Rivers' influence?'' said Davy incredulously.

``If I were not sure of it I'd not publish a line,'' said Victor.

``But to get to the subject I wish to talk to you about.You are to be the reform candidate for Mayor in the fall?''

Davy looked important and self-conscious.``There has been some talk of----'' he began.

``I've sent for you to ask you to withdraw from the movement, Hull,'' interrupted Victor.

Hull smiled.``And I've come to ask you to support it,'' said Hull.``We'll win, anyhow.But I'd like to see all the forces against corruption united in this campaign.I am even urging my people to put one or two of your men on the ticket.''

``None of us would accept,'' said Victor.``That isn't our kind of politics.We'll take nothing until we get everything....

What do you know about this movement you're lending your name to?''

``I organized it,'' said Hull proudly.

``Pardon me--Dick Kelly organized it,'' replied Victor.

``They're simply using you, Davy, to play their rotten game.

Kelly knew he was certain to be beaten this fall.He doesn't care especially for that, because House and his gang are just as much Kelly as Kelly himself.But he's alarmed about the judgeship.''

Davy Hull reddened, though he tried hard to look indifferent.

``He's given up hope of pulling through the scoundrel who's on the bench now.He knows that our man would be elected, though his tool had the support of the Republicans, the Democrats and the new reform crowd.''

Dorn had been watching Hull's embarrassed face keenly.He now said: ``You understand, I see, why Judge Freilig changed his mind and decided that he must stop devoting himself to the public and think of the welfare of his family and resume the practice of the law?''

``Judge Freilig is an honorable gentleman,'' said Davy with much dignity.``I'm sorry, Dorn, that you listen to the lies of demagogues.''

``If Freilig had persisted in running,'' said Victor, ``I should have published the list of stocks and bonds of corporations benefiting by his decisions that his brother and his father have come into possession of during his two terms on the bench.Many of our judges are simply mentally crooked.But Freilig is a bribe taker.He probably believes his decisions are just.All you fellows believe that upper-class rule is really best for the people----''

``And so it is,'' said Davy.``And you, an educated man, know it.''

``I'll not argue that now,'' said Victor.``As I was saying, while Freilig decides for what he honestly thinks is right, he also feels he is entitled to a share of the substantial benefits.

Most of the judges, after serving the upper class faithfully for years, retire to an old age of comparative poverty.Freilig thinks that is foolish.''

``I suppose you agree with him,'' said Hull sarcastically.

``I sympathize with him,'' said Victor.``He retires with reputation unstained and with plenty of money.If I should publish the truth about him, would he lose a single one of his friends? You know he wouldn't.That isn't the way the world is run at present.''

``No doubt it would be run much better if your crowd were in charge,'' sneered Hull.

``On the contrary, much worse,'' replied Victor unruffled.``But we're educating ourselves so that, when our time comes, we'll not do so badly.''

``You'll have plenty of time for education,'' said Davy.

``Plenty,'' said Victor.``But why are you angry? Because you realize now that your reform candidate for judge is of Dick Kelly's selecting?''

``Kelly didn't propose Hugo Galland,'' cried Davy hotly.``Iproposed him myself.''

``Was his the first name you proposed?''