The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-11-03
Beaver Hats at a Discount.
THE HALTER TO THE CooPBR's COMMIT
TEE ANXIOUS TO UNLOAD.
PITrsBURG, October 25.

PITTSBURG, OCTOBER 20.
That the boss campaign is in desper-
ate straits is an open secret. The cam.
paign assessment robbery has been
practiced with unprecedented vigor in
this city and elsewhere, and the collect
ing agents of Boss Cooper have been
given every assistance in squeezing the
victims to the last extremity. But not
withstanding this fact the canvass lags
for want of means. G. L. Magee is
now East looking after funds to meet
the desperate cxigencies of the last
days of the campaign, and it is freely
confessed that, unless his mission is sue.
cessful, Beaver will fall behind Patti
son in the vote in this county, while
the issue between Beaver and Stewart
is beginning to take on measure of
uncertainty.
One of the most convincing evi-
dences of Stalwart disappointment has
just been developed here. 1t will be
remembered that early in the canvass
Chairman Cooper, General Beaver and
other great party leaders brought their
powerful minds into concert to decide
upon uniform hat to be worn by the
Beaver clubs. After mature delibera.
ton and careful canvass tile was
agreed upon and Harry M. Geary, of
Philadelphia, appointed as halter to the
Beaver party. Mr. Geary at once be.
gan the manufacture on an extensive
scale of "the campaign regulation hat,
as approved by the Republican state
central committee" Circulars were is
sued, ,voluminously describing the style,
giving the prices and other particulars
of the matter, and the announcement,
that "Officers' hats, with gilt cards, 25
cents EXTRA" gave additional interest
and business aspect to the affair that
was charming.
The enterprise that began so hope
fully did not prove profitable, however,
for, like Field Marshall Cooper's Labor
contingent, Land League effort and
other diversions into the realms of
commercial politics, it fell still-born.
Mr.. Geary, credulous and contented,
entered upon his part of the agreement
with characteristic energy. Beaver
hats were made in great quan titles, and
the shelves were numbered with their
accumulation, but the customers came
tardily and like angels visits "few and
far between" New circulars were is.
sued and blank orders forwarded with
importunate letters, urging purchasers
to come to the front, but the trade was
dull and the goods failed to find mar
ket
AT last, driven to desperation, Mr..
Geary made final appeal to retailers,
of which the following is sample
1t was mailed in an envelope upon the
corner of which was printed in italic
capitals, "Headquarters Republican
State Committee, Philadelphia" and
the accompanying circulars and forms
were so numerous that "due 8 cents
formed a conspicuous sign over the di
rection, while the overweight STAMP
balanced the thing.
'Dear Sirs: We are under the i'm
preston we have got too much stock
in Beaver hats ready for delivery anc
are willing to make some sacrifice and
sell some to those who have already re
ceived and handled the goods for les'
than cost. You have no competition
and we will deliver you the goods here
after at $l.75, or 1921 per dozen Please
send orders and we will ship will
| promptness. Yours. etc,
"HARRY M. GEARY."