Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-19
STRANGE CONDOLENCES
The HIan Who Never Helped
Elect q President Who Did
Not Die in once.

A merchant of New York. who has
taken part in the Presidential elections
Of the last forty years, has had the
singular misfortune to vote for the
four Presidents in otie0-Harrison
Taylor, Lincoln and G~arheld-and
never has Endorsed any other success
tul candidate. Hearing Of this strange
experience, 3 reporter went to him
for its eorrOboration. The merchant
sat plaeidly in his Office chair, but
looked with surprise when the visitor
announced that he came from the
Herald, and after no had learned the
purpose OF the visit his plaeidity en-
tirely deserted him.
"Do you hear thatgn he exclaimed,
turning towards his bookkeeper, here
is a newspaper man who wants 70
know about the unlueky Presidents l
have voted for"
Il required some effort to allay the
gentleman's excitement, and 10 con-
vince him thatit was the most natural
thing in the world for the Herald to
have heard Of his experience.
But you won't print my name with
it, viii your he almost pleaded. IF
you do, all my aeQuaiatances will say.
Here is the man that kills off our
Presidents, and | wouldn't have it
h~appen-for anything atSll."
With difficulty the reporter assured
him on this point, and that he said
Since you seem to know all about it
anyhow, | don't see why / couldn't
tell ysu just what my experience was
aud then you viii get it straight
There is nothing more than a strange
coincidence in il That is ALL"
Il have always been a Wing and
Republican and | voted for Henry
Clay, who was beaten. In 1910 l
voted against Polk, who was elected.
In lS4S l voted for Taylor who also
died is Office. That was the first coin
cidence, but | never thought much
about it. In 1852 l voted against
Pierce and he got through all right.
In 1862 l voted the fusion ticket as
against Lincoln. l believed at that
time that the slavery in the South was
q domestic institution with which the
North had no right to interfere. l
changed my mind when l saw what
the Southerners were doing, and in
1864 l voted for Lincoln, who was as
sassinated. This happening to the
third successful candidate Ihad votsd
for rather staggered me. Ia 1868 |
declined to vote at sll-n0t because l
was superstitious, but because I did
not want 10 support Grant AID |
would got vote for . Democrat In
lS72 l had moved ny residence TO
New Jersey and vas not entitled 70 q
vote that year. 10 1873 l los. ny
vote, too. and in 1880 told ny friends
that l did not want to vote for Gar
field, for if / did he would either be
defeated or die in Office. They insist
ed upon ny doing 20, however, and it
looked like such a close thing that l
was finally persuaded and voted for
Garfield. Now he is dead, and | will
never vote for another President If l
live 10 be a thousand years old"
And you are not superstitious?'
No. sir" the merchant replied,
with som. asperity; 'but it is a very
strange series Of coincidence. and |
don't want to p%rolOng it. Now, /
want you to promise me that you will
not publish my name"
Il will do 1t, if you will promise
never to vote for me for President. q
replied the reporter, and the compact
was setfled