The Indianapolis journal., 1899-11-19
BOY CAMPAIGN ORATORS.
Campaign Meetings Run by Urchins
I'm New York District.
New York Pos

New York Post.
One Of the sights OF the campaign on the
east side of town, particularly in the Eighth
assembly district. is the work OF the hoy
orators from the tenements. These ur-
chins, following the example OF their elders.
get into the campaign al every opportunity,
and show a power of mimicry, almost ap-
preaching precocious intelligence, which
gives to their discussions of public questions
semblance Of understanding. Some OF their
activities are worthy Of report in wider
circle.
When the members of the Junior Political
Discussion Association OF the Eighth assem-
bly, district assembled for their curbstone
rally last Saturday night. under the orders
of some Of the real campaigners. at the cor
ner OF Grand and Forsyth streets. the
twelve-year-old chairman was in distress
because his committee on outdoor meetings
had failed to provide a platform. The dis
trict leader had instructed the committee
which waited on him to take the front
steps nearest a gas lamp. get the gang to-
gether. and let loose" 'Eloquencell do
the rest" he pointed out.
So the members Of the association had
to abandon dreams OF torches and bunting
and return to the empty dry-goods box pro-
vided by Miggs Movinsky, whose uncle
keeps a suspender store and lent the box %
them each night. But after the dry-goods
box had been tumbled into place and the
association had gathered about il. Chairman
George Renowitz mounted on top and stated
the nature of the programme.
sweater. % the S suspenders % " of his Trousers @ % on
the outside, and he doffed dilapidated
plush cap in salute 10 an imaginary crowd
as he began. At intervals he punctuated
his address with pauSes, that were promptly
filled in by the shrill cries Of his ragged
supporters. 'Feller Republicans, Democrats.
Socialists, Anarchists. or any party what's
here" he commenced in hoarse voice.
ives come before youse this evenin' to
aseuin sues in dis eampaisn Re teil pH' You o. what
we know bout good government, cean
people what 'lects EN-. We don't pretend Z
be voters, but what wese learned in de pub
lie schools III help you lot. We can tell
pleasure in introducing to youse the first
speaker of the evenin.' Master Pinas Abe.
BY the time the chairman had finished
speaking the little circle about the street
corner had grown into typical East Side
crowd and filled Forsyth street from curb
f Fnas Se wss dae GHi % Boy
about fifteen years Of age. evidently OF he.
brew extraction and apparently well
ss s0wni he mounted unit % the box, box and t the men and
women said, Hello. Abei" and Good.
Abe Sis % ms hah ahG ns
bashfully from one foot to the other. Then
he began:
pion d. Independent Labor an d. Republic
can candidates cause dey stand for all dats
good as against all dat's bad in Tam.ny, and
youse know it. We amt got no Citizens
Union down here. but youse men can be-
union ncugh If you only will, Youse got
to be united to beat Tam'ny; When Martin
Engel's slick enough TO win lstdor Cohn
out of d Republican ranks and put him up
for assemblyman 1T shows he's pretty cute;
He's d mar youse got TO beat; him an
Tam'ny. 1t amt d. candidates."
AS the speaker proceeded he seemed to
forget all about himself in his excitement
Attracted by the crowd and the shouting.
a group of shabbily dressed men came along
to the edge of the crowd, and IN a moment
trying to ths mses The
ASK yourselves. me friends Of the Eighth
district. why you'se see such strange faces
about these corners every year just at this
time. They only stay few days. Til lee
tior. and then they go away for another
year. They're colonizsrs. me triends-oumnss nns
thing that looks like man an can be-
bought"
The strangers were not long in disap-
brought his speech TO a close. The chair
man then introduced a little fellow. who
spoke in thin, small voice He kept his
head down in his overcoat collar as though
he feared TO get hit from behind. This
youngster could hardly be heard and failed
among the members around the box. The
midget. spoke manfully ahead, but he was
suddenly interrupted by the chairman. who
clambered up and suppressed him forth
with.
The next lad spoke I'm Hebrew. not weakly
nor pleadingly. but in a strong and even
comma nding tone, as became his sturdy
build. His theme touched on the work OF
the college settlement in that neighborhood.
"You pray to be clean." he cried; you
want clean streets and clean houses. good
light and plenty OF fresh air. Save us from
the divekeepers of Tammany, you cry
Save yourselves, you peddlers and store
keepers! It's for you TO act, and your vote
is your defense"
Just then Tammany truck, with red
lights and drum corps, pulled up on an op-
posite corner and the spectators turned to
the new attraction, while some of the boy
followers OF the opposition appeared 10
threaten an attack on the platform.
Here, you. Miggs," cried the leader, get
your committee an hustle d. box home-
Well stand off dis Tam'ny gang" But just
| as the war cloud was about to break. big
policeman charged down upon the arrayed
forces. and both armies sought refuge in
4 flight