By George Washington they would swallow a house on fire! There was a federal election shortly due.

One of the parties--Democratic--Republican--I forget which--maybe both!--needed new voters.

The law says it takes five years to become a citizen.
Politics said fifteen minutes! The politicians paid the fees too! I was a citizen--a voter--an elector of presidents before I had been ashore three months, and I had sold my vote three times over within a month of that! They had me registered under three names in three separate wards! I didn't need the money--I had plenty in those days--I gave the six dollars I received for my votes to the Holy Church, and voted the other way to save my conscience; but the fun of the thing appealed! By Gassharamminy! I can't take life the way the copy-books lay down! I have to break laws or else break heads! But I love America! I fought and bled for America! By Abraham Lincoln, I fought those Spaniards until I don't doubt they wished I had stayed in Greece! Yes, I left that middle finger in Cuba--shot through the left hand by a Don, think of it, a Don! When I came out of hospital--and I never saw anything worse than that hot hell!--I got myself attached to the commissariat, and the pickings were none so bad.

Had to hand over too much, though.

That is the worst of America, there is no genuine liberty.