My Mamie Rose: The Story of My Regeneration

g the dives from resurrecting themselves. But vice had become so rampant, so nauseating that the righteous of the c

big head lines, and the inhabitants of divedom began to quake

ells of lassitude and gentlemanly idleness and had accepted the position of bo

the first to be put under the prying probe. The investigation was thorough. The investigators and prosecuting officials, stimulated by fear of public cen

r dive-keepers retired from business and a general

undings, and the male element of the lowest dives congregated on the Bowery, ever the dumping-ground of human scum and offal. In a short time, the Bowery was full of a muttering crowd of

s proceedings. If anything, the business behind the "partition" had increased in volume since the other dives, operated by less influential citizens, had been obliged to close. So we have here another of the many paradoxes of our political conditions. While his fellow-legislators were scouring the city

hem above us in the seats of the mighty and give them power over us. And if you would growl at my saying "from beneath us to above us," and would wrathfully confront me with the slogan of political and other equality, I would not wish to stand in your way o

he difference of time, of centurie

der against the most sacred of our possessions and privileges; our sacred freedom; our sacred equality; our sacred franchise, and, by no means lastly, our sacred screaming eagle, screaming ofttimes from veriest agony. The buncombe of press and loud-mouthed gabbers has decreed it to be treason to see the truth an

t among the useful growth and stamp them under foot. The common people of our cities live "downtown"-that

a welcome and place among them through their ignorance. Yes, more, it is cared for and nurtured until, as all ill-weeds, it grows to tremendo

ds? Who is their s

and roses? And do they not get more of it than the flower and the fruit-bearing pla

ry so well as to be immortalized forever were self-made from

engaged in the affairs of one's own country and state were self-made from the slums and gutters, wit

ich often strikes, unexpectedly, dark places, they become arrogantly defiant in their ill-gotten might. Even against the scorn of the decent and to the awe of their own kind, they swing themselves onto the pedestal of the self

is theirs the cry of repentance? Do they sob and cry: "Peccavi! Yes, I

chance of atonement. No; what reaches us from the usurped pedestal is the self-satisfied grunt of the swine: "L

ut what really does happen is a taking up of that refrain of self-adulation by the admiring throng. There in almost worshipping attitude, we find that the chicaning game of politics makes mates of all sorts a

s. Howling and haranguing do not require much intelligence, and of both the "intelligent" workingman does more than enough and to no purpose. When the time of his usefulness approaches-although it should be the time for him to assert himself-he stops his howling and listens to the strongly flavored persuasion of the wily

e gutter gets above it and gets there by means which are those of a man and an American, he will not lack the respect and estee

hat was the way employed by statesmen of the stamp o

public opinion, and, on that account, little was known about his origin, except by his intimates. Perhaps bootblack, perhaps newsboy, he had early learned to make him

gue and wire-pulling with all his energetic intensity. Never questioning, always obeying, he became the ideal plastic mass to be molded by the enterpr

n a day. He did not mind this much, his bulldog tenacity keeping him alive to his ultimate pu

sorted to plain treachery. The fact that the leader to be deposed had been his benefactor and stanch friend was of small moment. Certainly Mike was sorry, but what could he

e endowed with attributes and traits of the highest and noblest order. Mike's most pronounced attribute in his functions as leader was directness. It

lief left in the dignity of labor and toiled only enough to "square" themselves with their landlords and liquor dealers. Still, they were of use. They could talk beautifull

e class of grafters, and for that reason if no other, the Hon.

ict would indulge too strongly-had to linger in the throes of the law. It was the sacred duty of the leader

the headquarters of the organization, Mike's ultimatum would settle the market price of votes. One or one and a half, or two dollars were the rates paid, although the last named rate was only given to liquidat

green sward and sturdy oak was the favorite meeting place of our forefathers. In the shadow of the mighty tree they spoke of liberty, of the rights of man and of the w

ce, and the political leader of to-day has felt himself obliged to substitute the gin-mill and the dive for the Common of old. Besides, "there is not much in Commons," excepting when the city fathers, in

the Common, or Square, as it is now called. True, there was no sturdy oak and no green sward, but there were elevated railway pillars and their shadows were quite sufficient for the practice of side issues in politics. The oak bears only acorns. The pillars and their sh

asting fame-some detractors called it "disgraceful notoriety"-was firmly established. Did he not have several fist-fights with "officious" police officers to his credit, and, did he not open

am that can find a dive blindfolded. Callahan's place was more suggestive than attractive in its front and the interior was fairly dazzling in its austere plainness. Sawdust and traces of former expectorations were the most evident features in the bar-room, which

tables and chairs which were nightly occupied by young men and women, many of whom had been born and brought up in the immediate neighborhood, under the very eyes of t

hatham Square. The entrance

nforced retirement from dive activity, and there, in all my uncleanness, there came to me the sweet messe

r of description to the utmost, I must relate to you the one and only attempt we, m

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