Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-01-12

state both great and small, will be here,
either to assist in manufacturing United
States Senator, or to stand around as spec
tators and smoke free cigars. The candi-
dates themselves will occupy about as
unenviable positions during the fight as
can we'll be imagined. They are expect
ed to sit in their headquarters with an
| inexhaustible stock of smiles and pretty
sayings on hand, with which to greet the
multitude who call around 10 see the aspir-
ants and get cigars-a box of which is al
ways on tap at all Senatorial headquarters.
| There may be refreshments of moist
mature about the premises, but of this /
shall not be able to speak authoritively,
of course. Every one who comes to wit
ness the senatorial menagerie will make
it his business to go the 'grand rounds"
which means taking look at each can
didate as he sits in his room poised for
the occasion. Almost always the visitor
is introduced, and the aspirant for
senatorial honors is expected to give a
cordial hand-shake and other evidences
of good-fellowship in the shape of rolled
tobacco leaf. This is repeated over and
over again to every one who chooses to
call. 1t would not do to slight any one,
no matter how insignificant he may ap-
pear for there is no knowing who may
have Influence. Headquarters are es-
tablished for places of meeting and con-
sultation. They are occupied by the
candidates and their trusted friends, a
certain number of whom would be called
ropers-in if they performed the same kind
of labor in any other business. 1t is the
duty of these men to snatch uncommit-
ted members, from the hotel corridors and
run them into headquarters, where
honeyed words are poured into their ears
by the cart-load. Promises of the most
extravagant character are made on these
occasions which will be forgotten as soon
as the senatorial contest is over. 4 man
with proper appreciation of things would
become Disguised with the whole system
of Office getting by being about state
capital during senatorial fight. Every
trick known to sharp and experienced
politicians is resorted to to secure votes,
and am sorry to say that the conduct OF
some of theactive men in the squable would
not bear too close scrutiny. If the hereaf-
ter is anything like what it is pictured the
politician who is lucky enough to get to
the best place will have offices brought
to him without any effort on his part.
Occasionally we hear of instances of of
flee seeking the man in this mundane
sphere where statesmen are as numerous
as the voters, but as rule nothing is
more wearing to the nerves or degrading
to the manhood than office getting under
the present condition of things.
THE ORGANIZATION.
Next in Importance to the Senatorial
contest comes the speakership of the As
sembly. AS has been before announced
in these columns there are four candidates
for the position. E. G. McFetridge, of
Dodge county, Ira B. Bradford, of Eau
Claire, NJ. II. McCord, of Lincoln, and
s. w. Pierce. of Adams, are all sanguine
of being elected to preside over the
House. 1t is quite probable that the
senatorial election will have more or less
influence in deciding the speakership as
we'll as the selection of other officers about
the legislature, although the candidates
for senatorial honors have avowed time
and again that they intend to remain
perfectly neutral in regard to the organi-
cation. 1t is generally believed in this
section that McFetridge will be elected
speaker. G.. E. Bross, of Madison, will
be elected chief clerk of the senate, there
being no other candidate for the place.
j. E. Eldred is also the only candidate for
Chief Clerk of the Assembly and his cleo
rion is also assured The other positions
about the Legislature, however, have ap-
plicants enough. Every republican mem
Der has from one to dozen men behind
him for places, and the rush will be greater
this year than at any previous one, if
possible. Men come here every year
having in view first class clerkships only,
but so great is their desire to serve the
state that many of them, finding nothing
better within their reach, acceptgthe low
est grade places, such as door keepers,
gallery attendants, and spittoon cleaners.
BOARDING HOUSES.
The busy season in Madison is during
the session of the legislature. Especially
is this true of the hotels and boarding
houses. This is the greatest place for
boarding houses in the country. Board