Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-16
POLITICAL PARASITES.
THE STRIKER" THE WHEELER"
AND THE "HEELER.v

Statesmen in Zig Cities Understand.
Distinctive PecuIiarities of Each var.-
ety-Above Them Is the Voter.
The vocabulary of politicians is not
frequently enriched by additions of any
very striking sort, for the reason, very
probably, that local leaders are much
more likely to quote the expressive
phraseology of others than to originate
any of their own. So when in giving
his testimony at one of the Doodle trials,
Alderman Michael Duffy, known prior
to that as "the mayor of Harlem" used
the term ga combine"-with the accent
on the com-to describe corrupt alli
ance between public officials having leg
islate powers, he added something to
the politicians vocabulary and the term
has endured, in frequent use, since.
There are, however, some nouns of de-
scription which all local politicians un-
derstand, even if no one else does Here
are few:
A "striker" is a full fedged or would
be elector who seeks some pecuniary re-
turn as the condition of giving his sup
port to a candidate OF party. The basis
of his demand is that if his terms are
refused he will work for the other side.
Usually the ''strike" is sugar coated;
under guise of ball, picnic or excursion
tickets offered for sale just before cleo
ton, or of the membership of target
company or a social club or a subscrip-
ton for an alleged destitute person, or a
chance Mt o rattle. The distinctive pc
culiarity of the striker is that he is with
out power or influence. He deceives
Strikers, like wolves, usually go in
pairs-never alone.
A wheeler" is, in politicians par
lance, an elector whose identification
with party is due to pecuniary reasons
and wholly disconnected with any prin-
ciple. The "wheeler" is a grade above
the "striker," because be has usually
some influence, and those who pay him
get, therefore, some return, whereas in
the case of the ''striker" they are, to use
Bowery phrase, "hat bunkoed." The
"wheeler" does not remain on the same
side of the political house two years in
succession, lest through close identifica-
tion with it he might come to be regard
ed as regular member, and thus out of
reckoning as purchasable agent.
A "rooter" is follower of party or
candidate on behalf of whom or which
his loyalty and enthusiasm is shown
whenever required. He gives and can
give no reason for his support other
than the fact that he is with his cham
pion Through thick and thin" He
holds usually some small place and there
is no discount upon his effusive devotion,
extending, as it does at times, to deeds
of violence and even to those of Grim
inal character. The ''rooter' does what
he is told and does it with great energy
and in a loud tone of voice.
THE ''HEELER'S' FORMER BUSINESS.
A "capper" in the field of politics is the
subsidized eulogist of local statesman
who is rich In means but spare in fame.
The chief duty of the "capper" is to re-
tail in touching accents and in forcible
and picturesque language the kindly and
beneicent actions of his chief. He gets
for this a regular weekly salary, and his
ordinary formula in crowded barroom
or on street corner is about this: ''You
all think that the old man is mean,
small, selfish and only looking out for
himself. You never made bigger mis-
take in your life. Why, in my presence,
only this morning, saw him distribute
$500 among a score of poor persons, ask
ing only of each of them one thing, that
they would never mention it to living
soul. suppose he will be dead sore at
me if he hears that have told this, but
I've got to stand up for what is just and
right, even if it is my ruin"
A "heeler" is the follower and attend
ant of some boss or subchieftain whom
he accompanies on all missions or excur-
sions of peril or Importance. He is not
enthusiastic like the "rooter" and has
none of the intellectual accomplishments
of the ''capper," but he is invariably on
hand when needed for convention, d
primary or an outing, and no instance is
known of Il ''heeler" enjoying anything
but the most robust health on election
day, even though on other occasions his
infirmities should be as many and as
complex as others of the average of hu-
manity. In the old days of repeating
and ballot box stuiing, before registry
law was enacted, the prime duty of the
''heeler'' was to vote early and often.
ABOVE THEM ALL, THE VOTER.
A "hooker" is a constitutionally impe
cunious person, who believes that the
living which the world owes him, and
which the world withholds, can and
should be secured in the troubled fields
of politics. He regards, therefore, every
candidate. leader, ward worker and mu-
nicipal statesman as his debtor, and loses
no opportunity to enforce small loans
ranging in amount from dime to a dol
lar. He uses no threats like the striker" +"
and makes no promises like the ''wheel-
er," but regards himself as a privileged
character and the candidate as his ap-
propriate prey 1t not infrequently hap
pens that one of the results of the
"hooker's" persistence is his failure to
register, the consequence of which neg
iect is that heis unable to vote, and thus
all the financial aid and comfort given
him is entirely thrown away.
The list Of personages indigenous, as
it We're, to the field of local politics
might be still further extended, but
when the striker" the wheeler" the
"rooter," the 'capper," the '-heeler" and
the "hooker" have been told about, the
subject in its palmer aspect has been