Nobody had ever really thought about them--that is to say, nobody on Plutoria Avenue.

Sometimes one saw a picture in the paper and wondered for a moment who the person was; but on looking more closely and noticing what was written under it, one said, "Oh, I see, an alderman," and turned to something else.
"Whose funeral is that ?" a man would sometimes ask on Plutoria Avenue.
"Oh just one of the city aldermen," a passerby would answer hurriedly.
"Oh I see, I beg your pardon, I thought it might be somebody important." At which both laughed.
* * * * * It was not just clear how and where this movement of indignation had started.

People said that it was part of a new wave of public morality that was sweeping over the entire United States.

Certainly it was being remarked in almost every section of the country.

Chicago newspapers were attributing its origin to the new vigour and the fresh ideals of the middle west.