ELECTION TREATS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 11 January 1921, Page 6

ELECTION TREATS

HARDING’S BURGOO AND BARBECUE

A country which makes a fuss about a candidate showing a meeting of electors a few pictures free has a lot to learn about what can be done in the way of electioneering “treats-” In the United States there is an old custom of “feeding the multitude,’ and it was picturesquely revived during the recent presidential campaign. “Burgoo” and “barbecue” were the chief features of an entertainment given _by Mr Harding at Jackson, Ohio, a few days before the election, according to the New York Evening Post, which referred to the matter in a kindly editorial note. Fifty-seven beeves were roasted over bright coals in trenches a hundred feet long for Mr Harding's guests, says the writer. Hundreds of army cans were used in making “burgoo,” a meat and vegetable mixture nautical in origin but best known in interior America. Coffee was prepared by tankfuls. American political history knows the crow'd of 100,000 which AY. H. Harrison addressed at Dayton, Ohio, as unprecedented. The feeding of 40,000, who came on foot, by special train, and in 5000 automobiles deserves to be recorded as equally remarkable. Politics takes scant notice of food prices. New England shores this fall have known the clambake as in previous compaigns. The Mississippi Valley has seen the revival of the fish-fry, at which'unlimited bread, grilled fish and coffee are distributed to all comers. This feature of American campaigning dates from colonial days. Madison was defeated for the Legislature because he' was too principled (hie opponents said too stingy) to “treat.” ) Community feasting in its finest spirit is known only in rural America. In the old days beeves and swine, once killed, had to be salted, or, if eaten fresh, divided among the community. * From selling meat to ail the neighbours it was but a step to calling the neighbours to the meat.. An _ oxroast attended by thousands is a demonstration of democracy that should have its lesson for any candidate.