The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-19
low BUTTONS roR BABIES.
They're Too Largo to swallow. and Bear
RenntifuI Nnrsery Rhymes.

The campaigning OF tho Low orators among
the very young OF tho tenemcn districts is hav-
ing a marked effect. The infant mind Is so i'm
questionable that even the babies OF Tammany
fathers have been Influenced by the efforts of
these new campaigncrs TO cheer In their in.
fantilc way for Seth Low and the Citizens
Union. News OF tho remarkable work that is
going on nightly at q cost to the Union or some.
body Of about $35 n meeting has reached tho
headquarters in East Twenty.third street from
time to time. and has encouraged the managers
to hire more nursery orators, hold more meet
ings, and spend more money. The first detailed
report OF one Of these enthusiastic gatherings
was printed in THE SUI yesterday morning,
and the sensation 1t created among the states
men was tremendous. Orders were issued to
stop the enrolment, to close tho canvass for
Low ballots. and do nothing but arrange for
meetings. buy more red fire and gaudy lanterns.
and hire more orators for the amusement of tho
babies.
The first substantial evidence Of the practical
character of the work was furnished the states
mon at headquarters yesterday afternoon when
n woman with n baby in her arms walked by.
She directed tho attention OF the child to the
banner hanging in front of the headquarters.
The baby looked at the Haunting sign, leaped up
and down in his mothers arms, wildly waved
his chubby right hand in the air by way OF s-
Lutte, and gurglcd something which sounded
strangely like Goo! Goo!'
This phenomenon was promptly reported
inside and soon there was the widest excite
ment. 1t didn't tako more than a second for
some one to produce a full set of the Seth Low
nursery rhyme buttons which had been prepared
for use in their work among the babies. provided
that i should become evident that the cam
paigning was to prove successful. The evidence
had come ont in the exhibition Of this convert in
arms, and the buttons were brought out to play
their part. They, are made large enough 80 that
only children with nbnornally large mouths can
possibly swallow them. The doggcrel on them
Is up to the best nursery average. Here Is tho
inscription on one:
From Head TO Toe
I'm for Seth Low.
This is supposed to be the utterance of a poor
cripple who has lost nine of his toes in an en-
counter with a cable car or perhaps as a result
OF a journey to klondike. in which they were
frozen. 1t Is to be explained to the babies that
Mr.. Low is a very charitable man. and that is
why the cripple is for him. Another of tho
legends runs thus:
My vote l bestow
on Honest Seth Low.
or course. the babies are to be told that owing
to an unjust and discriminating law they have
no votes to bestow. but that Mr.. Low viii prob.
ACQUIRE the right of suffrage This button
teaches that. as well rs being a charitable man.
Mr.; Low is honest. On the third OF tho button
series this is to be found:
You strike the tiger a body blow
When casting your ballot for Mayor Low.
This rhyme is expected to be very popular.
- - - ~ ~
used. The very babies there are said to have
knowledge of tigers-those that are "bucked -
as well as of blind tigers Body blows
upper cuts" and swings they are well UP
in. This is intended to show Mr.. Lows famil-
iarity with sporting language.
The last of the set of rhymes declares:
Corruption's foe, by name Seth Low.
VIII bury the tiger under the snow.
This seems to be n mere striving after rhyme,
for the children all know Col. Warning will not
leave enough snow on the street for Mr.. Low to
bury anything in or under. This button may be
withdrawn from circulation, as there is a sus-
picion that il will have IA bad moral effect to
make such positive statements of the surety of
the impossible happening, and detract from the
effect of button No. ., which teaches honesty.
The appearance OF these buttons set the
rhymesters to work with suggestions for addi-
tons to the series. but none OF the suggestions
seemed to please tho Cts managers. One
signed &C. Q. p" runs as follows:
Seth Low;
No go!
II this rhyme campaign Is to DO followed up IL
was suggested that other candidates besides Mr..
Low might get out a few buttons similar to his
set. The battle-aXev veteran OF Long Island City
might, for instance, have buttons bearing this
legend:
Gleason
Takes bun.
Or the present Mayor Of the city Of Now York
might indicate that he is in 1t in this wise:
Oolong!
Much Strongl