The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-10

There was time when the Popuiss
street corner orator, who. spiteful people
say, wishes the American public had but
one ear. made his headquarters on Pioneer
square. and from morning 10 nigh, ridilea
the air with the rapid-i3re guns OF his
oratory, But time has wrought change.
Now all interest centers in the war with
Spain. and the Result Is that molly
throng is constantly gathered IN front OF
the bulletins in the windows OF the Post
Inte,iigencer business offices.
Deserted by MS victims-shough no ore
IS rude enough TO call them so TO his face
the orator mas been forced 20 go in pur-
suit. In consequence he is now 10 be found
IN the thickest OF the crowd in front Of
the bulletins. with brazen throat and
leather lungs a veritable arsenal OF argu-
meni. Nor is he d solitary specimen Of the
variety. In the sententious slang of the
street. there are others
II is a strange fact, which no one who
observes the crowd long falls 10 notice. that
there is rarely a battle royal between two
Of these self-constitIted oraces OF politics
and every kindred subject. Each seems 10
have a thorough respect for the others
ability in the line of verbal assault and
battery. and they rarely II ever give the
crowd the zest of a battle of giants in that
line. II Is generally some inofTensive cit
izen who ventures 10 dissent in an under
tone from some particularly rabid gener-
ahzation of the orator who is overheard
and singled out 10 be silenced by verbal
bombardment.
Such an instance was noticed in the
crowd yesterday afternoon. An oratorieaI
heayyw light with FURNISHED bronze hair
and a glowing mustache which fairly
bristled for the fray was iostiing his way
through the crowd with ears wide open
for hint of dispute. As he neared the
curbstone he caught one. A pretty good
natured old gentleman with snowwhiie
hair and gray imperial had just
marked that Uncle Sam ought To hold the
Philippines.
"Hows that, partner" calculated ne OF
the fiery hair. as he approached under
SLOW bell and cast the searchligh. rays
from the big glass diamond in his blue
cravat full upon the Old gentleman.
why stammered the OLD gentleman,
somewhat surprised at being brought 20
so unceremoniously by a stranger II was
just telling the gentlemen here that
thought We ought TO hold the Philippines"
You think We ought to hold the Philip
pines. do your" detained he Of the blue
eravat as he struck an attitude and
brought his batteries 10 bear. I'D jest like
TO have you tell me ana tbs fellers here
what we want to hold them Islands for
VIII you ever get any or 'em, I'd like TO
ask you9''
Why, no. only as citizen. certainly"
was the mild reply from the old gentle
man as ne pictured himself the proud
possessor of one of the nsurgeht-nfected
gems OF the Eastern seas
''only as a citizen. huh" gunted the
mouth under the br.stling rrustache. And
what do you think you'd get as a ci,izen?"
why. Id have my share In them just
like everybody
You would, Ell: you would Now. Ia
like to see us keep them their islands, too,
and divide up among US. Sell EN- and di-
vide the stuff but do you think me and
you'd ever get any of Il? No. Stree, not
II IL was only so apiece for US here. Who
would get it9 Why, III tell you who would
get il; the corporations wculd. Corpora
tons VIII have them islands, and US Amer
lean citizens Will never have even a red
cent out OF 'em. We might jes' as well let
Spain keep en- instead Of going over there
among them yalier Malays and wastin
our lies blood 10 save EN- for corpora
tiors"
The man with the blue tie stopped for
4 gasp Of breath after the broadside and
naneuvered for a nearer position.
The light OF combat was beg inning to
gicam IN the eye OF the old gentleman,
who wore a Grand Army button. 'Of
course you won't get penny OUT OF the
Philippines. unless You work for It," he
shouted n the man with the bristiing
mus;ache. DO yog think you aye going
10 have your share of the Islands brought
20 you on a silver platter by a niger
% aF ME
hundred dollars apiece go over there and
make a lot more. YOU howl al them fer
corporation and you've got the same
chance yourself. Why don't you go over?"
What. me 81 over, l can't get a bean
How can a man have anything in this
country when dozen men control every
thing See that man Rockefeller"
Yes. there you go: roasting "a man Just
because he has money. II you had been
lucky enough TO have located the ground
that had all those oil Wells on it, wouldn't
you have been just as rich? What are you
doing beef!ng about II when you ought to
be- kicking yourself for cbump"
''Um-weii just the same. those feliers
control too much. No man can make
Sn,eo V01 a year aud not steal e. I'm
wlllin' 10 allow a man all he can earn
bat there Amt no man can earn as much
"a them piutocrats make"
Go on. you're Sore because you're not
making as much" ~as the go0d-humored
response OF the o,i gentleman as he
tostled hs way out Of The crowd just IN
figne 10 hear The discounted orator email
iengo him 10 a debate on the question Of
the ajvisabI!ty Of applying The single
tax IL tie Philippines.
The Saunle, @as quickly picked up BY
an eager eyed i!t'le man who hal been an
interested listener. and soon another en-
EagemeHs was IN progress
II = net an uncommon thing for a1-
hsTents % The champions engaged in the
main contest - pair OF for to.nt debates
a. tha same time and often i half-rozar
knots - 4ehaierg can - seen In the ,~s.vj
a. one time.