Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-01

hOleinu uuSu ltll Ou MS duul6uCe,
Brothers on the pad: l was born
in Ohio and have been tramping ever
since I ran for the presidency, thirty
years ago, but | never stumped my
toe on a Memphis before. 1 have
travelled some, too, l reckon. Nearly
every dog in the statas knows me by
sample, and all the old ROSTERS have
beheld my ghost with horror as l
plucked a juicy pullet from their
harems. But here in Memphis we
have
NO LIBERTIES
Why, my suffering brethren, when /
asked an old red-headed hog, who gave
me some breakfast, to put nothing but
pure cream in my coffee, she had the
impudenoe to tell me "beggars should
not be choosers," At another place,
where l asked for supper, l was told
could have some if l would make the
frel Think Of the cold bloodness OF
such treatment, They ask me to chop
wood, hoe weeds and draw water, when
you know it is against the constitution
of the R. 7. and B. T. society to do
work Of any kind and when a mem
Der violates this law he ceases to be a
bona file tramp and is no longer a
member Of the society. Now what is
to be done 2"
The convention wiped its weeping
eyes with its coat-tail and nominated
Sam Soreleg as permanent chairman.
1t is usually the custom to nominate
newspaper reporters as secretaries of
conventions, but on this occasion the
reporter was of course in the back
ground, hid behind a monument, and
could not be seen. Snag Shank was
finally nominated, and the chairman
called the convention to order by
swapping the bones Of his broken leg.
lie opened by simply repeating his
last words:
WHAT Is TO BE DoNE?'
Lets burn down the town and get
warm over the ashes" suggested one
with q sleeveless jacket.
What are you thinking of" asked
the chairman. you forget what
enormous water facilities Memphis
has"
Lets burn up the water works,
then"
Brilliant ideal put in the presi.
dent; but, a sudden shade Of reflection
passing over his face, he said: but
would it not be easier to tunnel into
the center Of the reservoir and blow
it up with dynamite?"
The motion to tunnel was laid on
the table, and another member rose.
He said; Mr.. chairman and brethren.
| move that a committee Of five be
appointed to hunt up the scenes oil
mine explosions and railroad disasters
Of recent date. Our stock Of stories
is getting short, and this market isuptc
all the old ones. My patent wound is
nearly worn out any way, and | under.
stand several Of the brethren are il
the same condition"
81 second that motion, said a voice
from the edge Of the crowd. ave
can't put much life into tho old yarns
either, new and fresh ones, with
patent wounds and COMMISSIONS il
other places on our bodies would put
new life into US"
The motion was put and carried
unanimously, and the committee ap,
pointed retired with a bundle of lat,
copies Of the New York Weekly.
A committee to revise the gate posi
cipher was also appointed, and pend
ing their report the following pream.
bic and resolutions were handed the
secretary, who proceeded at once t
read them:
RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved by the Secret BROTHERHOOD
Of the r. r. and B. I. that, whereas,
it is against the constitution Of our
society and of the tramp HIMSELF to dc
any manual labor; and, whereas, the
dignity Of our order is insulted by this
people and our tender feelings daily
insulted, it becomes necessary thst we
protect ourselves, therefore be il re.
solved
first-Fhat we will treat any and
all insults with the scorn they merit.
I'M