ELECTION DODGES, WISE AND OTHERWISE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XIII, 26 September 1896, Page 385

ELECTION DODGES, WISE AND OTHERWISE.

Probably one of the smartest schemes employed during the last election occurred at a certain northern constituency. The Liberal electors were surprised one morning to find the hoardings covered with the placards of their opponents, which read as follows : ‘ Vote for . . (Conservative candidate), and save the Church !’ The Liberals, however, were not to be beaten, and the next morning they published a poster which their opponents read with breathless amazement : ' Vote for . . . (Liberal candidate), andZeZ the Church save us The Unionist candidate for the St. Rollox division of Glasgow employed a most ingenious device for keeping himself belore the electors. He hired a number of phonograph machines into which he delivered short pithy speeches, and on the polling day they were placed outside the various polling stations, where they created a great deal of interest. By this unique expedient he solved the problem of being in many places at one time, and the idea certainly gave him a distinct advantage over his opponents. Considerable fun was created in the South Oxford-division in connection with one of Mr Samuel’s election placards. To meet the outcry for a • local man,’ raised by the supporters of Mr Herman Hodge, a poster was issued saying ‘Mr H. Samuel, if elected, will live here.’ Owing to the indiscreet ardour of the Liberal canvassers, or some humour-loving folk on the other side, many of these bills were pasted on barns, cow-sheds, and even pig-sties, uutil the irony ot tile situation occasioned irresistible mirth, which was shared by all parties alike. Vole gaining by confectionery is certainly a novelty. Such a method was pursued by one of the candidates for the Camberwell division of London —a Mr Banbury, whose name lent itself kindly to the strange device. The day prior to the election a tall person promenaded the thoroughfares of the suburb literally covered with Banbury cakes, and carrying above his head the homely legend ‘ Banbury takes the cake ’ And he did, too. An amusing election story conies from Cople, a village in North Beds. A lady called on a woman and said : ’ Now, can’t you persuade your husband to vote tor Mr X. ?’ ’No,’ said the wife, ‘l’m sure I can’t.’ ‘You should try, my good woman.' • Oh, no; it’s no use, I’m sure. Fact is. he has been promised a new suit of clothes if he votes for t’other man.' ‘ Oh, indeed ! Who promised it ?’ ‘I mustn’t tell you, ma’am.’ ‘ Now, I’ll give you ros if you’ll tell me.’ • No, I couldn't do it forthat, ma'am.’ ‘ Well, look here, I’ll give you a sovereign if you will tell me.’ • Well,' said the woman, hesitatingly, • I will.’ Having received the money, she revealed the secret. 'Well, ma'am, if you will know, it’s me as told him if he’d vote straight for him I'd give him a new suit of clothes, and now you will help to pay for it. Thanks, mum!' The lady beat a precipitate retreat.