agents of the Kelly-House oligarchy. Kelly and the Republican
party rather favored ``open shop'' or ``scab'' labor--the right
of an American to let his labor to whom he pleased on what terms
he pleased. The Kelly orators waxed almost tearful as they
contemplated the outrage of any interference with the ancient
liberty of the American citizen. Kelly disguised as House was a
hot union man. He loathed the ``scab.'' He jeered at the idea
that a laborer ought to be at the mercy of the powerful employer
who could dictate his own terms, which the laborers might not
refuse under stress of hunger. Thus the larger part of the
``free'' labor in Remsen City voted with Kelly--was bought by him
at so much a head. The only organization it had was under the
Kelly district captains. Union labor was almost solidly
Democratic--except in Presidential elections, when it usually
divided on the tariff question.

Although almost all the Leaguers were members of the unions,
Kelly and House saw to it that they had no influence in union
councils. That is, until recently Kelly-House had been able to
accomplish this. But they were seeing the approaching end of
their domination. The ``army of education'' was proving too
powerful for them. And they felt that at the coming election the
decline of their power would be apparent --unless something
drastic were done.

They had attempted it in the riot. The riot had been a
fizzle--thanks to the interposition of the personal ambition of
the until then despised ``holy boy,'' David Hull. Kelly, the
shrewd, at once saw the mark of the man of force. He resolved
that Hull should be elected. He had intended simply to use him