The district was overwhelmingly Democratic, and Joe and his friends were Democrats who on election day performed the usual gang work for the local Democratic leader, whose business it was to favor and reward them in return.

This same local leader, like many other greater leaders, became puffed up by prosperity, and forgot the instruments through which he had achieved prosperity.

After one election he showed a callous indifference to the hard work of the gang and complete disregard of his before-election promises.

He counted upon the resentment wearing itself out, as usual, in threats and bluster.
But Joe Murray was not a man who forgot.

He explained to his gang his purposes and the necessity of being quiet.