The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-12-17
VALUE OF A SINGLE VOTE.
Notable Case of Hustlfng by Which {
Tammany Man Had q Plurality.

New York Sun: 1t is said that there are two
or three assembly districts in this state that
have been carried by the apparent victors by
three votes and that the soldiers vote, when
canvassed on Dec. 20, may upset the present
status Of every one Of them.
In discussing yesterday at the Fifth Avenue
hotel the value Of. a single vote, illustrated
in these districts, well known politician OF
this state told this story: .s-
The folly of a man going to the trouble to
register and then not voting because he has an
idea that the candidate be favors will have
plenty OF votes without his has been proved
once or twice by men being elected to Office by
4 majority or plurality of two three votes
Probably the most remarkable instance Of the
value OF one single vote occurred right hero
in this city 1t was in November, 1872. There
were four candidates for assembly in the Sew
enteenth assembly d.strict-that is to say, in
the Seventeenth district in those days-which
where he Hudson River railroad had big rem
devious for locomotives and a passenger station.
Andrew Blessing was the Tammany Hall candi-
date and William T. Graf was the Republican
candidate
Andy rs Blessing called, was hustler,
and on election day he wore of the tires Of o
half-dozen cabs-so the cabmen said, who made
out their own bills. It was within ten minutes
Of the legal hour fixed for the closing Of the
polls when Andy was diminishing about near the
station to that none OF his friends were lag
had just come in with train. The fireman was
polishing off the brass nose Of pipe Of the
locomotive. .s..s
Hello, Mike, old. man" cried Andy; "have
IT have not" answered the fireman, as he
continued the brass nose polishing process.
whats the use OF me voting, Andy; you've got
Blessing whipped out his watch. The poll
ing place was just across the street. 1t lacked
exactly five minutes before the polls closed The
oiled rag that was doing the polishing business
was snatched out Of Mixes hand, and, before
he could say Jack Robinson Andy had him,
ballots In hand, before the ballot box. AS the
them into the different boxes (there was no
blanket ballot in those days. remember) and
e1cltimed;'' Votes the whole" he quickly added,
Now, then, let 1t be understood that Andrew
Blessing valued one vote 70 highly that he took
care early in the morning to vote for himself:
On the other hand, be it equally understood
that Graf, his Republican opponent, was
man Of very sensitive nature, who had some old
fashioned notions % to the propriety Of not do
ing certain things in certain circumstances. This
thought, when he should not do the improper
thing. That was to vote for himself; 10 be cast
Q blank ballot Tor assemblyman.
TURNER. and. out q courtesy. actually voted
o. a. votsl :nshevT In jasties 70 ai.n. bow
1s se L = ss e ~ til; i should 's = ..a Is
thst be denis dthis. Well, for the benefit Of
al good citizens lana there are nearly 10000 Of
them at every elechon), who take the trouble
to register and then neglect to vote, fors what's
;the-gO0d Of-my -single-vote reason, here Il the
way the Official vote was declared in sensitive
NJ. CRAFTS and hustling Mr.. Blessings district:
Andrew Blessing Gam ........ ........ 3,135
William T. Graf Rep). ................ q, 1874
Alexander Charles Wilson apollo HalD... 1896
Alexander Ward Independent. .......... 1,O44
defective vote Observation-Disclosures.
Gathering vote Observation-Disclosures. As
Whole vote cast. Observation-Disclosures. 1884
Blessings Plurality, /.