Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-12-23
New York Politicians at Saratoga.

There is a certain sort of life-whether
1t is worth seeing is question-that
we can see nowhere else, and for an
hour Mr. Glow and King and Forbes,
slipping their raspberry shrub in. a re-
tired corner of the barrroom, were in
terested spectators of the scene. Through
the padded swinging doors entered, as
in play, character after character.
Each actor as he entered stopped for a
moment and Stared about him; and in
this act revealed his character-h con-
ceit, his slyness, his bravado, his self
Importance There was great variety,
but practically one prevailing type, and
that the New York politician. Most of
them were from the city, though the
country politician apes the city politi-
clan as much as possible, but he lacks
the exact air, Notwithstanding the black
broadcloth and the white hat. The city
men are of two varietes-the smart,
perky-nosed, vulgar young ward work.
er, and the heavy-featured, gross, fat
old fellow. One after another they
glide in, with an always conscious air,
swagger Oft to the bar. strike attitudes
IN groups, one with his legs spread,
another with foot behind on tptoe,
another leaning against the counter,
and so pose. and drink-"My respects
all rather solemn and stiff, impressed
perhaps by the decorousness of the
place, and conscious of their good
clothes. Enter together three stout
men, a yard across the shoulders, each
with an enormous development IN front,
waddle up to the bar, attempt to form
q triangular group for conversation. but
nnd themselves too far apart to talk in
that position, and so arrange them
selves side by side-a most distinguish
ed-looking party, like a portion Of
swell-front street in Boston: To them
t,N st,WNaggers up alyopng sport, like one of
Ihackeray's figures in the Irish Sketcb-
6oo&-short, in a white hat, poor face,
lmpudent manner, poses before tho
swell fronts and losses off his glass.
About a little table in one corner are
three excessively 'flgly mugs" leerng
at each other and pouring down cham
payne. These men are, all dressed as
nearly like gentlemen as the tailor can
make them, but even, he cannot change
their hard, brutal faces. 1t is not their
fault that money and clothes do not
make a gentleman; they are well fed
and vulgarly prosperous, and II you in
quire yon will find that their women are
in silks and laces. This is, il good
place to study the rulers of New York;
and impressive as they are in appear.
ance, II is a relief to notice thatethey
unbend to each other. and hail one
another familiarly as Billy" "1ton,-
my. " Do they not ape what Is host
prosperous and successful in American
life? There is one who in. makeup,
form, and air. even to the cut of his
side whiskers. is an exact, counterpart
OF the great railway 'kings Here is
heavy-faccd yonng fellow in evening
dress perhaps endeavoring to- act the
part OF gentleman, who has come from
an evening party unfortunately q little
''slewed, a'but who does not know how
to sustain the character, for presently
he becomes veryissfamiliar aud conf
dental withthe dignitied colored waiter
at the buffet swbo requires all hisnative
politeness to maintain the character of
a gentleman for two 0 = &, .a''''i'a' w
If these men had millions, could they
get any more enjoyment out of lfep
10 have fine clothes. drink ,champaene.