The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-01

voted thu Democratic ticket straight for
forty-fve years. The next is Republi-
can workingman, who lost bet OF $40
when Cleveland was elected last. The
ward heolers pay no attention to either
OF these meu save to pass them ballots.
but soon their work begins in earnest.
This is a tenement district. Many OF the
voters must vote before they go to work.
Mrs. Sullivan is just putting The last
stitch on q forgotten overnight patch on
Mr.. Sullivan's trousers, while Mr.. Sulli-
van is eating his breakfast in his under
clothes, when the hustler breaks in upoI
the peaceful scene. But as Mr.. Sullivan
Will not vote without trousers, the heeler
sits by and waits until the important
work of repair has been finished.
The captain meantime has sent man
TO pull some laZybones out of bed who
should have been among the first corners.
The captain went bail for him once and
lie comes cooilely. Personal influence Is
tao ward healer's weapon.
Sometimes he hypnotizcs the subject
with his eloquence. Sometimes it's q
simvie matter of friendship or a special
political leaning on social glass round
the corner through side door. Some
times 1T is recalling past favor or
present obligation, or q promise of a
Job Sometimes 1t is money.
There is always certain floating vote
that is purchasable. Tho price ranges
from dollar upward. The average man
who can be bought goes cheap. Two dol
lars is a popular price. Five dollars is
paid in a closely contested district, espe-
cially late in tho day.
The puller-in of voters will tell you
that it has to he done; that the other
side does it and has lots "of the stuff"
Buying votes is one of the things the
ward heeIer does not talk about ont loud.
He consults the captain in whispers over
hesitating case. The captain takes the
case in hand. He argues. Then he takes
the case for drink. The captains treas
ursr happens to BIZ in doorway near by,
with his cot buttoned slightly over lot
of small bills, which are a part of the
fund for electioneering purposes. The
captain leaves his hesitating case leaning
against a lamp post and saunters across
the street. He holds up two fingers to
the man in the doorway and saunters Off
The treasurer saunters over to the man
by the lamp post, and two dollar bill
changes hands.
There have been schools for practical
instruction in folding and casting ballots
in operation for several weeks but many
American citizens are still Ignorant. The
ward heelers are careful to see that their
harvested voters all .now exactly how
the rather involved operation Of voting is
performed.
As the morning wears on the captain
orders ont his carriages. There are sick
men who can't walk. lazy men who don t
vote ii they have to walk, and the aged
veterans for all of whom carriages are
provided. Sometimes 'cabby" Is paid
to take the list OF names and gather
their owners in.
The captain studies his little book.
checking off those who have voted, and
hustlers are sent after delinquents. One
man has to close his shop i'll order to fol-
low the hustler, another lays down his
trowei ten stories above the ground. q
third leaves a sick bed and goes to do his
duty as an American citizen.
Half past three. There is fight on
the corner. Every body takes sides. One
fighter is drunk. He says he has right
to .ots. and he means to exercise 1t. The
election clerks tell him he has already
voted. He strikes man who is only
half drunk, and the result is two black
eyes and a patrol wagon.
-Four o'clock. The polls close, but the
captain and his hust er do not go hons.
They bet on the result. They watch the
bulletins, and they talk OF pluralities and
majorities, heavy votes and light ones,
and wait with feverish imphtience.
The big men and the candidates gather
at headquarters. The result is announced,
Next to the successful candidates the gath
ers-in OF voters are the heroes of ths day.
They have each earned from s. to $50 for
THAR work-NAw York World.