The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-01
MINOR FACTS AND EANclss.

One Of the Oklahoma "reminiscences
which Captain Delaney tells with great
JUNCTION explains how it came about that
the west two years ago went SO insanely
Democratic. A farmer. Ben Jones, had
taken sod claim to l60 acres Of fine vir-
GIN land. The first year he raised some
excellent wheat, brought 1t to Oklahoma
City and sold it readily for 80 cents per
bushel Much elated, ne went to the cap
tain and wanted to prove up his claim, -
which means get quick title by making
an extra payment. Captain Delaney tells
the rest as follows:
81 asked Jones if he had his mortgage
lifted, if he had all the implements need.
ed, if his house was in good shape. Prov.
ing up claim means usually quite an
outlay: to an industrious man working on
borrowed capital it is best not to be in any
hurry. Jones saw the point, and instead
Of spending the proceeds Of his first years
industry for needless bit of government
paper put part Of il on his mortgage and
the remainder in enlsrging his farm equip
ment.
900
zone year ago this last fall while
| was standing on the hotel porch
there passed Il Democratic procession
delegate; and was especially interested
in seeing Republican win. But here
was parade Of fellows whose homes
had been given them by Republican leg
islatiou, following band and carrying
notices about Harrison and Hard Times.
Grover aud Prosperity And at the very
front of the parade, astride bucking
broncho, sat my man Jones. Jones must
have seen me- for he looked sheepish. and
turned his face away. But said nothing.
| knew my sentiments would keep. Saw
eral days later, Jones awkwardly shu flied
into my office and this conversation took
place
"'Good morning, Mr.. Jones'
"'Mornlng, cap'n
"What can | do for youY
"'Well, cap'n, guess this time I'll prove
up my claim
IAN right: it will cost $500. Have you
brought the money
"'No, but I've sent my boy down to the
depot with 400 bushels OF the finest wheat
ever raised in Oklahoma, aud ] reckon
he'll bring me the price purt soou.
"'So you have had second fine crop OF
wheat, eh' What do you holdyour wheat
aty
go, last time got 93 cents, and this
year my wheat is a good deal finer.
onght to get ~ or IS cents
"Do you expect to prove up your claim
on the proceeds of wheat sold at IS cents:
Yep
"Could you do it it, you got only 9s
centsY
"Gee, whiz, cap'n, what do you meanY
"Why | mean, You great, hulking
idiot, that after borrowing money of a
Republican friend with which to lay out
l6O-acre home presented to you by an act
of Republican legislation; and then, after
getting % cents per bnshel for the wheat
grown on this handsome gift farm, you
went to the polls like an unhunE migrate,
voted to kick your bsnefactors out Of
power, howled up and down the territory
about the oppressiveness Of farm mort.
cages, decided to try change and that
now, under this change, you will get just
IS cents per bushel for that wheat. pro.
vided they'll buy it At ali, which is doubt.
| ful, What do mean? Why, | mean that
if was in your place, Jones, I'd swap my
self off for yellow dog and then hire the
community to stone me out OF sight
"And, added the captain in conclusion,
Il have the pleasure of knowing that
Jones has since decided to return to the
true faith, beg pardon and be forgiven.
That's the type Of idiot that elected
Grover Cleveland