Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-07
NOT AS 1T USED TO BE.
Talk Of Three Wise Men Of Gotham as
They Journey to Albany.
From the Philadelphia Times.

From the Philadelphia Times.
The train slowly moved out Of the Grand
Central depot. 1t was crowded. especially in
the Pullman cars. Packages encountered the
aisles. Pretty women, some, indeed, suggest
ing the triumphs of American fresco art large
diamonds, seslskin sacques, silver TASKS and
travelling caps were on every side. Here and
there could be seen the drummer, but he was
shorn of his power for once. No longer did he
dare to bully the porter or festoon himself upon
the seat in front of him. He was in the pres
ence of greater power. David" was to be
inaugurated at Albany upon the morrow, and
the Legislature of the great state of New York
was on the train to see that the ceremony was
well and truly carried out.
By the grace of the porter 1 was allowed to
sit in one corner of the smoking compartment,
and from a humble position could observe the
| actions and conversation of the mighty states
men around me. Three men occupied the adj
joining seats. The elder of the party was on
his way to fill the third term in the Senate.
He was ministerial looking individual. and
| distinguished in the past as an adroit manipu-
| lator of railway schemes The next man, as he
| informed us, was ''of the people," He GER
| tainly looked it. His clothes were very tight,
| his hat extremely shiny and his conversation
remarkable for the wide extent of profanity
which embellished it. The third member was
anew-comer. His personality was unimportant.
| The three statesmen greeted each other eff
| fusively. and after exchanging the compliments
| of the day and sampling the contents of large
| flask, which the new member pulled from
| mysterious pocket they began 10 discuss the
late election from the inside.
''The election" said the stout gentleman of
| the party, beats h-ll. Why, l remember two
years ago in my district l couldn't buy more
nor $50 votes. All niggers and dagos. too. and
at so cents apiece, and glad to get it, Now,
look at this year; 1850 votes to be got, costing
| from to 25 apiece. and not sure of them at
that. What do you think of it?
| I'm for REFORM" said the other. ''Things
| is got to be such one can't trust ones own
heelers- The check system is the only honest
way for one to know how he stands. Let
every district captain get check-book. mark
! the figure given and number of the voter on
| it, and return the stubs on election night.
Don't pay for the goods until delivered. That's
the only honest way"
I'm old times" said the veteran of the three,
| things were very different. Then it was hands
| up from the time the man got his ticket until
| he placed it in the box. If he put his hands
down to change the slip given him no money,
| that's ALL
"Those were honest days." said the other
| "They were, indeed" was the response.
what are you working for this session."
"Oh, the old thing" The old thing was a
prominent railroad franchise, as 1 afterward
| found out
Elections cost like ILL.," said the young
| man. I'm nearly broke"
my son." remarked the clerical looking indi-
vidual who had been there longer than the
| rest Virtue is its own reward" The three
| laugh led in concert