The general of the guild appoints to the ranks under him, but he himself is not appointed, but chosen by suffrage." "By suffrage!" I exclaimed.

"Is not that ruinous to the discipline of the guild, by tempting the candidates to intrigue for the support of the workers under them ?" "So it would be, no doubt," replied Dr.Leete, "if the workers had any suffrage to exercise, or anything to say about the choice.

But they have nothing.

Just here comes in a peculiarity of our system.

The general of the guild is chosen from among the superintendents by vote of the honorary members of the guild, that is, of those who have served their time in the guild and received their discharge.