The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-11
UNCLE RUBE,s ELECTION.
The Republicans Nominated His for Cor
stable, and lie Won.

/
| stable, and He Won.
Ono OF the lost surprising incidents in the
recent extraordinary election In Brooklyn was
| the deieat OF Peter J. Black by John Duble for
the constablcship OF the Eighth ward. Demo-
| cratic stronghold. Mr.. Dubc. who was the
Republican candidate. has the unique dis
| tinction OF having overcome normal major
| ity OF nearly 1000 against him. and OF being
the first negro who has been elected in that
city TO the Office OF Constable. Mr.. Duble, or
Uncle Rube." ms he is Familiarity known
in the Greenwood district. was born
In Virginia about seventy-six years ago.
He came North before the war. and
served during it on the steamship
Fort jackson. He had credtoble war rec
ord and is a member OF Thadeus Stevens Post,
G. A. r.. OF this city. He came to this city soon
after the close OF the war and was waiter and
an assistant steward ut the Metropolitan Hotel
for several years. He served In that capacity
when Col. Jim Fisk was at the height OF his
fame. and was regarded by his fellow en-
ployees at the hotel rs Col. Fisks favorite
waiter He saved enough money TO retire on,
and about ten years ago he moved to Brooklyn
and purchased a little frame cottage In Twen-
ty-flrst street near Fourth avenue. where he
has since resided.
He has added to the little capital he saved
up by running n couple OF boot backing
stands near his own house. One of these was
in front OF Kumback's Yacht Hotel at Third
avenue and Twenty eth street. and this he
continued to manage until about month ago.
when to his own establishment. as well as that
of nearly all the other voters. he was called by
the Republicans OF the Eighth ward to become
their standard bearer for Constable. The
nomination had gone G;beGging when the
been an active worker in tho Republican ranks.
and was member Of the ward association.
but had never dreamed that such distinction
would como to him.
The Nominating Com mittee Of the ward as.
nys for whom
playinlly asked Uncle lube" e no would CON
nt hts hts gS on ths tf ed the
II always believe in doing my duty and II
you can't find some one else TO take the nomi-
The COMMITTEES didn't bother itself in hunt:
John Duble found place on the tail end of the
Eighth ward Republican ticket: Although
ea nn's isH %. he e made hustng tte CANVASS
normal majority against him and the appar-
Removing his boothack stand from in front
Of the Yacht Hotel and putting it in his cellar.
the edals he received for gallantserviceint the
rrebe lion. and his Grand Army badges: Mr.
n fsk ' second term in p and
naturally thought he had firm grip on the
Office frequently met Uncle Rube' on his
canvassing tours. and encouraged him in the
hill fight he was making.
II hope you will get a good vote tomorrow"
was his PARTING remark to his colored antacon:
Isl, the night before the election. and that
will not have walk-over"
Uncle. Ruhe did get,a good vote. Just as good
as Mr.. Schieren the Mayoralty candidate. and
came in n winner with several hundred to
snare. Like Boss Platt, Uncle Rube believes
that the hand OF Providence had something to
10 with the landslide. While celebrating his
Il thought from the moment that was
nominated that l would pull through. The
very night OF the nomination dreamed that |
was going to win. God told me to 60 ahead
went TO sleep again. [ awoke. and God said
again Go ahead. Uncle liube, and ynul win
stable OF the Eighth ward. l stood for the
Union on the deck Of the Fort jackson in the
hour OF danger. and the people didn't desert
me-"
Mr.. Black is sorry that he encouraged his
colored competitor to more active work ~ the
canvass. but he has great respect for Uncle
Rube. and will surrender his Constable's
badge gracefully in January.