stay leaders as long as they live; not men like Brutus and
McManus.

Now I want to tell you why political traitors, in New York City
especially, are punished quick. It's because the Irish are in a
majority. The Irish, above all people in the world, hates a traitor.
You can't hold them back when a traitor of any kind is in sight and,
rememberin' old Ireland, they take particular delight in doin' up a
political traitor. Most of the voters in my district are Irish or of
Irish descent; they've spotted "The" McManus, and when they get a
chance at him at the polls next time, they won't do a thing to him.

The question has been asked: Is a politician ever justified in going'
back on his district leader? I answer: "No; as long as the leader
hustles around and gets all the jobs possible for his constituents."
When the voters elect a man leader, they make a sort of a contract
with him. They say, although it ain't written out: "We've put you
here to look out for our Interests. You want to see that this district
gets all the jobs that's comm' to it. Be faithful to us, and we'll be
faithful to you."

The district leader promises and that makes a solemn contract. If
he lives up to it, spends most of his time chasm' after places in the
departments, picks up jobs from railroads and contractors for his
followers, and shows himself in all ways a true statesman, then his
followers are bound in honor to uphold him, just as they're bound
to uphold the Constitution of the United States. But if he only
looks after his own interests or shows no talent for scenting out
jobs or ain't got the nerve to demand and get his share of the good
things that are going', his followers may be absolved from their