Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-03-22
/. Vino cIssr. for old zl... OF. Issl.. Down the

system.
In remote county Of Pennsylvania the scene is
/ laid The time was the year 1910 when party spir-
! it rose to 100 in the shade, in every hamlet the
length and breadth of Uncle SANS glorious domain.
The respective political parties met in convention at
/ Bugsburg, (the county seat. and made nominations
for county officers. As there were many asplrants
for the few nominations it follows matter of
course that there were bitter disappointments
Ito no than to-" Old lin" who was
confident of getting nomination for sheriff.
Zimmerman or " Old Zimm as he was Familiarity
called, was mserly old codger who was well to do
in the world, yet he had mighty thirst for office,
and he was up at every convention for nomination
for something from the IS time whereof the memory
of man runneth not to the contrary" He was repu-
ted wealthy--that is, he owned farm, and had mo-
new but he never showed the color of it, except he
unfortunately got on a spree, then he would it
broadcast--but that biennial occurrence.
A few evenings after the nominations above noted,
a knot of the dissatisfied and disafected were con-
gregated at the Black Horse Tavern, discussing the
merits and dement's of the fortunate nominees.
!. s'Genten,en," said old Zim, "merit and long SER
vice to the party is recommendation In this eoun
try. The wire workers and schemers have 1t all
their way
i Ave" responded one of the bar-room loafers
they does the pckin out and they expect to do
the wotin."
i "But gentlemen continued Zm, ''they will fetch
i up against o snag or q sawyer of these days
Yes gentlemen, by the eternal, I'll whether it's
the people or a set of brokendown political hacks
makes the party nominations. By Judas, I'll break
down the system-Ill run as E. volunteer candidate
for Sheriff. and if don't lay em out, then my name
amt Zimmerman that's all'
/ This determination was received with favor by the
| crowd, and Zim sealed it by spending 'half' for
red eye. z,.- .
a card in both papers to his fellow-citzens pedging
himself to discharge the duties of the Office with i'm
partiality-in case he tcas elected.
Right Justify did Old Tim go to work, and things
| 10 fho
county, and people profuse in their promises OF
doing their best for him. In of his peregrna-
tions he met Wattles the nominee of Zim's party,
who also electioneering tour.
Ha! Wattles," said he, my fine fellow, I'm sor-
ry to you allow yourself to be the tool of
holy and corrupt cabal-I say I'm sorry to you
sacrificed, but you're bound to be beat I'll show
them that the freemen of this county will not bear
dictation so, my friend if you wish to save yourself
from the disgrace of defeat you had better resign
in my favor.''
Wattles expressed his conviction that he should
feel very much used up in such event. but at the
time he had made up his mind to stand the
hazard of the die.
Election day at length came, and our worthy
friend armed with hatful of tickets, stationed him
self on the ground of his own precinct and common
ced dealing out his tickets and urging his claims in
the strongest kind of way miser as he was, he
made his friends swim in Monongahela long before
the polls were closed.
The election over, evening apace and the
eager cXDeCCtntS gathered 10
the counting of the votes and the returns to in
from the different townships. Old Zm was flourish
ing about, treating the crowd, expressing full conf
dence in the people, and the of his effort to
I" break down the system"
Seated in a remote corner were number ofwags,
in low but earnest conversation, and any who
might have CHANGED to see them, would at have
concluded that something was to follow The con-
sutaton soon broke up and the plot began in about
fifteen minutes to deveope itself. The chatter of
haard
solitary horseman rode up to the door, and fnging
the reins post rushed into the room, where
he was soon raised on table, and silence comman-
ded.
Here said he drawing a strip of paper from his
pocket are the returns from Lower Butfalow town.
ship-Wattles so, McGregor 40 Zimmerman 16O!-
aiority for Zimmerman, 70'
g Nine cheers for Old Tim o.
| ssHurrah hurrah! hurrah !"
| 'Gentlemen,'' said Old Tim, taking off his hat
g I'm obliged to you for this expression OF your --
that is to say, let us take horn all around -
Of course the crowd acquieseed in this proposition
and the welkin rang with loud huzzas. But bark !
scarcely had the eager crowd imbibed, before an
other herseman came ga1loping up to the inn
Begun township, one hundred majority for Zim-
merman!''
i Nine cheers for Old Zim!"
* Hip, hip, hurrah !"
! Again did Old Tim attempt to speak, but his feel
ings overcame him-and he ended by inviting the
company just to call for whatever they wanted. A
wedged themselves towards the bar, and again was
r heard the clatter of horses hoofs.
Dublin township, one hundred and twenty -nine
majority for Zimmerman J"
' ttNine cheers for Old Tim !"
= Hip hip, hurrah ~
f The excited candidate was wild with Joy and ex-
t ciment, and he again invited the party to drink.
d Another horseman came another! and still an.
other each one bringing an overwhelming ma lori
ty for Old Tim from the town which he represented
Alas that it should be the horse who perform
ed the feat of quarter every hour that night
II and that it should be the mad wag under
rious DISCUSSES that brought Old Tim the glorious
e news. The column, as footed up, gave Zim COO
e thousand majority Didn't he and pitch q
n We'll, he did Didn't he spend cool thirty! The
If landlords till groaned under the weight of Old Zim
e deposits.
II s'Gentlemen," said Zimmerman, my heart is full
J. (his head wasn't anything else) and only say
that the glory of this contest belongs to you but
. feel G brick in your hat said wag) pride that
= have been the humble instrument of breaking dowr
the system [Cheers.l
8, Thus matters progressed until those who were
n completely sowed up were laid out, and the re
N friends of the Sheriff elect oting him shutter t.
d, his domicil.
EARLY in the morning the village ways, with throb
bling temples met at the tavern to take hair from
the dog that bit them," we'll to laugh over thu
Y, " saw played on Old Tim; but scarcely had the,
commenced worship before in stalks the old gentle
man. still under the delusion that he had carried thu
a day-nay, more, he insisted upon spending b,
s. way of morning whet. The wags were determin
OF ed to keep it up long possible and again dranl
K and congratulated him his In the mids
3 of the noise and confusion" in bounded ink
printers devil, who deposited extra the table
q containing the returns Eagerly did Old Tim seiz