They gradually increased in power, until in the years succeeding the war they became the dominant influence in local American politics, and had won the right to be called something which they would never have dared to call themselves, viz.

a governing class.
While the local "Boss" nearly always belonged to the political party dominant in his neighborhood, so that he could in ordinary elections depend upon the regular party vote, still the real source of his power consisted in a band of personal retainers; and the means by which such groups were collected and held together contain a curious mixture of corruption and democracy.

In the first place the local leader had to be a "good fellow" who lived in the midst of his followers and knew all about them.

His influence was entirely dependent upon personal kindliness, loyalty, and good-comradeship.

He was socially the playmate and the equal of his followers, and the relations among them were characterized by many admirable qualities.