THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. SOME VAST PICTURE GALLERY

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 156, 27 October 1900, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

SOME VAST PICTURE GALLERY

ELECTIONEERING, IN AMERICA.

BEGINNING-' the Ist of August this year, American cities and American citizens put on their political war-paint to battle for the Presidency, and four

years of party power, Americans, like Englishmen, like to wear their, party heart upon their sleeves, so they bedeck themselves with badges and hang their towns with banners.

Among the first; of these to come forth are huge canvas screens on house and shop fronts, on which are painted villainous portraits ot the candidates. In every street* one or more political clubs, which are usually responsible for the banners, find liabitation, so that buildings in whole neighbourhoods seem suddenly to have become walls of

in which all the portraits are of the same men. Under each portrait is printed the name of Mr McKinley, Mr Koosevelt, Mr Bryan, or, Mr Stevenson, as the case may be. It is a tribute to the genius of the political bannermaker that he can pourtray the suave Mr McKinley to often look like the intense Mr Bryan, they both being clean shaven. Similarly either candi-

date can be made to appear of any desired descent, Irish, German ot French, according to the vote aimed at.

Behind the banners and the badges are the elaborate organisations of the two great American parties >or working in this way for the sake of those voters who are impressed by noise and show, but doing their, hardest and most effective work quietly . and often secretly.

Senator Mark Hatfna is at the head of the Republican organisation, where he has been for more than four years. President McKinley largely owes his last election to Mr Hanna, and if he is re-electedhe will owe a still further debt of gratitude to his astute manager. In 189G Senator Hanna was lucky in having almost unlimited funds. Then the business and financial world, being threatened with free silver, poured a golden stream into the Republican coffers. This year the threat is less alarming, but, nevertheless, the Republicans will probably have at least £1,000,000 to spend "for campaign purposes," not to count money

raised and spent by clubs and local

committees.

A great part of this money will be spent to work up enthusiasm on the theory that enthusiasm is contagiousThe banners < and the'buttons have their part in this as a certain- number of political camp followers are supposed to side with the party having the pre-election appearance of having the majority. Clubs are also diligently fiostered. Campaign literature is sent them in quantities, speakers are supplied for {heir meetings, they are urged and assisted to form auxiliary "marching clubs," uniforms, torches, and all things necessary to make a brave show being liberally supplied. So great is the demand for campaign uniforms and accessories that several large companies in New York and Chicago do nothing1 : but supply' them. Trade in fireworks also booms mightily in presidential years, indicating still another drain upon party funds.

Another unique form of presidential electioneering is organising excursions to visit the candidate. For instance, a club is organised among -tin-plate workers at Pittsburgh. When they are well drillejl they are GIVEN A DAY OFF

by an obliging employer, while an equally obliging railway company puts a train at their disposal, and off they journey to Mr McKinley's home at Canton, Ohfb. .'

Arrayed in tin helmets, tin breast plates, and, if it be night, carrying torches, they march in order to the candidate's house. Borne aloft are banners and transparencies inscribed "Protection to American Labour," "The Tin Plate'lndustry Owes All to the McKinley Tariff," "McKinley and Prosperity," "An Honest Dollar for Honest Work," and'with similar mottoes. Sometimes the » signs are less conventional, as, "Who's All Eight? McKinley!" or "Put McKinley in the White House and Bryan in the Soup," but usually the effort is to be impressive. Towns-, people follow the paraders and the excellent band the , committee has pro-, vided them with, and soofi there is a great crlowd in front of the candidate's house. At last" he: appears, there is cheering, and he makes a little speech. Then, after a, supper, also provided by the coinanittee, the tin plate workers return to Pittsburgh, their loyalty aroused, while the country at large has had an object lesson, of "the rising tide of Kepubliean enthusiasm."

The Democrats this year, as four years agio, have much less money to spend, than the If Kruger's £750,000 was ever;pent it has not arrived, so, barring £30,000 from

Mr Clark, the Montana millionaire, 'and smaller sums, from a few other wealthy supporters" of Mr Bryan, the Democrats have very little. Mr Bryan is practically Ijis own campaign manager, and his simple plan, is to. make' as many and as effective speeches as possible, y ' ~

"Tammany," which is the principal Democratic body in iS Tew Yiork city,'is an exception as to money. "Tammany" always has plenty of money

and unique and effective electioneering

methods. This year "Tammany" promises Bryan a large majority in New York city, and its efforts to redeem the promise are apparent. Vloters are given seaside excursions and "clam bakes" under "Tammany" auspices. The, clam bake bears relation to New York politics that the barbecue or oxroasting does in other parts of the country. Perhaps a thousand New York vloters are taken by steamboat to some near-by seaside resort, where there are eating- sheds, as well as shooting galleries, bathing houses, and other things for amusement. The "bake" itself is made "by a great out-of-dotor bonfire built over a pile of

stlones. When the stones are red hot

the fire is raked off and a layer of wet seaweed cast on the stones. , Then comes a layer of clams, more seaweed, still more clams, and then fish, green corn in the ear, fowls, and still more clams. The whole large heap, . then perhaps ten feet high, is covered over with seaweed. The hlot stones generate steajni' which the outer layer of seaweed allows to only partially escape, and-the whole mass is cooked deliciously, enough in it to feed 1000 brawny men. With the ".bake" beer is served liberally, and no man after partaking can be in mood ti» doubt "Tammany" is a great institution, and that any but Democratic candidates can be worthy of support.

In the Western States the barbecue still holds its own, a whole ox being roasted in the open air and savoury joints and steaks being- distributed to the multitude. .There is no speaking at a clam bake, but at a barbecue, after people are'well fed," the oratory be-: gins.

.ln the border States of the-South, where th 6 negro is not practically'disfranchised, the election agent devotes much attention to securing his vote., The negro values his suffrage slightly, and, is often -willing to sell it to the •■ highest bidder. In nearly all States now the ballot is secret, so the agent has to be on the look out to see that the negrio does not seH his vote several' 1 times and then perhaps vote as he pleases. As may be gathered from the accom-

panying illustrations, the cartoonist plays an important part in aPresidential election. • This phase is as interest-

ing as any, for there is much hard hitting, and "no quarter." Altogether the American takes his

politics seriously, and for three months every Presidential year very seriously indeed. Until election day, November 5, he will attend meetings, march miles, carrying a leaky torch which' showers*6il upon him, and will other-

wise disport himself. On election day evening- he will g<> wild with enthusiasm;, or be loVerwhelmed with gloom, according to the' fortunes of the. day, but the morning after he will again put politics aside and drop back into the hum-drum of existence. —"Daily Mail.'? ■ ■ ', ;,■ , ■;: ■ ,• ■ :