The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-11-18
The Governor-Maker.

w iC0o nC W sCAA yOus
said Samuel Smithers one evening, about
q fortnight ago. II am delegate to
Worcester, Eliza / have been called
upon by my fellow citizens to select q
proper man for Governor of this great
Commonwealth.
81 always knew your father would
make his mark in the world" said Mrs.
Smithers next morning, after having
confidentially informed her children OF
the honor that had fallen upon the house
of Smithers. 'Your father was always
good at picking out the most beautiful
bonnets and dress patterns and carpets
and the choicest cuts at the market, and
it is no more than reasonable to suppose
that he win be just the one to select q
man for Governor. The Joneses will be
awfully provoked when they hear of
Samuers elevation to public Office; but
you must endeavor to tieat them. just as
well as ever. We<must not look down
upon our less fellow creatures,
you know"
From the time that Mr.. Smithers
brought the glorious news into his home
until the day Of the convention all was
Joy and gladness under that rooftree.
There was but one topic of conversation,
and that one topic grew momcntarily
more interesting. Neither Mr. Smithers
nor Mrs. Smithers wearied for an instant
in congratulating themselves and each
other upon the supreme glory that en-
vioned their domicile, and the young
Smitherses, who didn't altogether under
stand the thing, talked necessarily Of
carriages and horses and new hats and
bonnets and boats and bicycles that were
to follow in the wake of this vague some-
thing which had fallen into the lap of
the Smithers family.
Upon the morning of convention day
Samuel Smithers arose early, washed,
shaved and dressed himself in his Sunday
clothes, and when he left the house in
company with his best umbrella. Mrs.
Smithers and the whole family followed
him to the door and watched the great
man as long as he was in sight. Mrs.
Smithers was never so proud and happy
in all her born days, as she remarked to
the elder Miss Smithers, and il she was
only sure that Miss Jones was peaking
through her blinds and saw how distin-
guished Samuel looked, the cup of her
earthly happiness would be fullto over
towing.
Upon Samuel Smithers' arrival at Wor-
cester. he received the most flattering
attentions from the member of the Gen.
eral Court from his district, who casually
remarked that, of course. Smi.hers was
for Blobbs; every public-spirited man was
for Blobhs; Blobbs would be supported
by every man who desired pure admin
istration, strict enforcement of the laws
of the land, and man at the head OF
8fairs who would add lustre to the bright
escutcheon of the glorious old Bay State.
The otliceholders who had heretofore ig-
nored the very existence of Samuel
Smithers were now agreeably affable,
aud members of Congress and distin-
guished Senators took Smithers warmly
by the hand and expressed their inetfable
pleasure at meeting so distinguished q
gentleman. They inquired after the
health of the Smithers family in way
that convinced Smithers that the consti-
tutioas of the Smithers family were of
more interest to the average Congress-
man than the constitution of the United
States. Incidentally, of course, each of
these high Government officials sug-
gnsted to Smithers that the Government
could not survive, the public debt could
not be liquidated, and the homes of the
people would no longer be safe from the
ravages of foreign foe, unless Blobbs
were nominated for the Governorship.
In short, before he knew what he was
about, Smithers was pushed or pulled
into Blobbs' headquarters, and Smith
ers' name was registered among that
immaculate gentleman's sworn sup
porters.
The hour for the assembling of the
convention had now arrived, and Smith
ers soon found himself in the mammoth
hall. an atom in the great crowd Of
sweltering humanity. The preliminary
business went off with q smoothness
that could not have been improved upon
had everything been arranged before
hand. Then came the speech of the
sat far back toward the rear wall, heard
word now and then, but nothing con-
nected. 1t was no doubt a fine speech,
however. and when the others applauded
Smithers followed suit.
Then came the supreme moment when
each delegate was to give in his choice
for a nominee. The Governor makers
WIRE driven across the platform like
sheep into sheepfold. As Smithers
approached the platform. a Blobbs ticket
was showed into his hand, with the in
junction, That's the ticket you want to
vote" and to guard against accident. q
Blobbs man watched Smithers until the
Blobbs ticket was safely deposited. Then
Smithers was permitted to find his way
back to his seat.
A recess was declared, and Smithers
hurried to the hotel to find every seat in
the dining-room full, and hundreds of
hungry delegates waiting outside. He
managed to get in after tedious waiting,
succeeded in getting ten cents worth
of dinner for one dollar, and hurried
back to the convention again. hungry
and tired. More motions and more
crossing the platform followed; rcsolu-
t,nv,c that bo did pof baar and v-bicI ho