They failed in their purpose.

I believe in political organizations, and I believe in practical politics.

If a man is not practical, he is of no use anywhere.

But when politicians treat practical politics as foul politics, and when they turn what ought to be a necessary and useful political organization into a machine run by professional spoilsmen of low morality in their own interest, then it is time to drive the politician from public life, and either to mend or destroy the machine, according as the necessity may determine.
We promoted to roundsman a patrolman, with an already excellent record, for gallantry shown in a fray which resulted in the death of his antagonist.

He was after a gang of toughs who had just waylaid, robbed, and beaten a man.