The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-23
THE GOSSIP OF LONDON
October 4 1870.

October 4, 1890.
John Bull takes his time over the elec-
tions. He goes about them deliberately.
He takes two weeks to elect his repre-
sentatives in Parliament, where Uncle
Sam takes two days TO send his represen-
tatives to Congress. A candidates lot in
this country, like that of the policeman
of Gilbert, is not happy one. From the
moment an election draws near, and even.
before, he has TO surrender much Of MS
personal liberty. At almost every election
there are fresh limitations. His expenses
are strictly limited by law. and 10 ex-
coed these limits is fatal. In counties
where there are not more than 1000 voters
the total outlay must not be more than
$3.50. For each 1000 electors beyond. an
other f60. may be spent. In a borough the
maximum expense for 1000 is ESQ, and go
for each 1000 beyond. In the olden time
the candidate could hire half the people
in the place, If he pleased, as his clerks
and agents. and pay them extravagant
salaries. He could take as many COM
mittee rooms as he wished. and pay for
them what rents he pleased. Now he
must not have more than one room for
each 500 voters, and If he pays too much
for this II may be considered bribery. He
can also have only one clerk and one mes
senger for each go. The candidate must
not treat or reward any one in any way,
either by money, promises, gifts. loans.
or drinks. IL the candidate is seen in
public-houses he lays himself open to
grave suspicion. Baron Pollock laid this
down over the famous Litchfield case.
Not only must the candidate himself alb
stain from treating, but his agents and
friends must do the same. IL voters drive
to the polls, the candidate must not pay
for batting their horses Nor must he
hire carriages from them, pay their rail-
way fares, or provide them with tram
tickets. The candidate must not IN any
way feast or pay the drivers OF the loan
carriages, and even a small tip would be
regarded as a doubtful act. All this is
very pretty. you see, in theory. wonder
how strictly ii Is enforced In the practice.
Elections nowadays are not by any
means as riotous and wild as they were
IN Gays OF yore. Acts Of rufiianism, of
course, characterize some OF the meetings
| in the slum parts OF some OF the big
| towns. but as a general thing we are not
| treated TO the scenes OF turbulence and
bloodshed 50 graphically depicted In the
old political cartoons OF Hogarth, Cruik-
shank, Gilray, and Rowlandson. Readers
OF the memoirs OF the Duke OF Somerset
will remember how his grace described
che Of the old-time elections. There were
mobs," writes he, "broken windows and
| fractured limbs. Old DIR. Bush had his
hands full setting legs and selling plas-
ters." How tame and pFosaic Is a mod
ern eleeti0nl Even John Burns and Henry
| I.abouehere DO not arouse the yirulent
/ passions that stirred the mobs OF the
olden times.
Capt. Lambton one Of the defenders Of
! Ladysmith. dotted his electioneerins
1 speeches with anecdotes and reminiscent
ces. The other night he told the voters
a story OF a ride which he and Lord
| Charles Beresford took on dOnkeys IN
Egypt. At last the captain OF the Con-
dCr's mount became FESTIVE enough 90 I'M
seat the gallant rider. Whoa, Upper
ary." shouted LORD Charles, and the pc
eullar form Of the address rouzed Capt.
! I.anbton's curiosity. What are you call
Ing that Egyptian 'moke' Tipperary for?
he asked.
We'll" was Beressord's ready reply
"Tipperary also unssated me-
Miss Elaine TerTiss. who plays ths
leading part in Self and Lady at ths
Vaudeville: MISS Edith WynBe.Hatthi
son. who lmpersonates prominent rOls
In THE Lackeys' Carnival. al the DukG
OF York's. ard Mrs. Cecil Raleigh. wbs
! does the adventures Ia The Price 81
Peace" at the Drury Lane. all three seen
10 be more engrossed In the latest fash
iors OF bonnets and frocks than IN tn
latest election returns from the polls
What care the ladies about Baisour. CEsm
berlain. or Harcoart. long as iarki
audiences admire the Fnodish creations d
Their rnlIiiners and failors7 Miss Terrisi
: locks charming in a simple dress Of paint
ed crepe Japonaiss, pink roses, and /
white lace insertion. The bodice. opss