The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-20
PLACE HUNTERS ON HAND
Swarms of Petty Politicians at Re-
publican Headquarters.
VIII Take Anything That Pays
binders Numerous Mr.. Hnnna's
visit From n Female Song Writer
Tails From Coiorcd Patriots.

NEW YORK. Aug. 19.-It would hardly
be an exaggeration to say that eight out
OF every ten callers at Republican national
headquarters go there hoping to secure
employment of some sort. Some of them
want to make speeches at political meet
ings, Others would like to be employed in
some easy berth at national headquarters.
and still others are taking time by the
forelock and looking for some political job
during the election. Most anything so
long as ii pays" is their motto.
Most of them want to be speakers. That
is a nice easy job, which gives them a
certain amount of prominence and some
advertisement. These are known famil-
iarly among the attendants at headquar-
tiers as "spellbiuders." They comprise all
sorts and conditions of men and many
nationalities
The majority of this class seems to be
colored men, preachers principally. The
ministers usually bring two or three mem
bers of their congregations to back them
up and vOuch for their oratorical abilities.
Occasionally three or four ministers are
at headquarters at the same time. They
may know one another, but If so 1t is mot
for publication. They walk up and down
the corridors talking to the attendants at
the committeeman doors and to the mem
bers of their own fiocks, but they abso-
lutely ignore one another.
OF the other nationalties. Germans pre-
dominate. They come from all parts OF
the Union and want to make political
speeches to their countrymen-for a con-
sideration. The campaign committee made
a bargain the other day by which they
IL an
gagged New York lawyer, Norwegian,
who speaks French, Swedish. Norwegian,
and Scandinavian. Now they can tell any
applicant of either of those Municipalities
that they have a speaker. Even the Fill
pines will be represented in the campaign.
Senior Ia La. a native Filipino will deliver
speeches during the campaign on his ma
tive country. He will speak in English.
There is a demand for good speakers
in the campaign and those applicants VINO
have any merit or are well recommended
are told by Senator Scott who has charge
of the speakers bureau to call again
Those who only think that they lave
merit are told that the campaign commit
tee will notify them if they are needed
All sorts of reasons are advanced by the
applicants for positions at headquarters
and for election work why they should De
engaged. The chief one, of course, is IN
fiuence According to themselves, the ap-
plicants are the most influential men in
their districts and control any number OF
votes Two men applied for desk work
of any sort" They said they were good
double entry bookkeepers. 1t was ex-
planned that bookkeeping by double entry
was not necessary at headquarters-at
least in any department where there were
apt to be any vacancies.
One applicant wanted to be doorkeeper
or any other position Of trust. He was
a colored man. The applicant said that
he was a good Republican and had been
"bouncer' in a Sixth Avenue saloon. He
had some reputation as a prizefshter. IL
was explained 10 him politely that a
+Douneer" is seldom needed at headquar-
ters and that there are plenty OF door
keepers there now.
or all the applicants. however. the one
that caused most amusement was song
stress who called one day last week. She
had some campaign songs which she
thought would be vote-getters, and she
wanted 10 sing them to Senator Hanna.
When she called at headquarters she did
not tell her business. She said that she
wanted to see Senator Hanna. Being a
woman. the courteous Southern doorkeeper
did not guess that she was an office seeker,
and ushered her in.
She told Senator Hanna she wanted tc
sing to him. The Senator did not want TO
hear her; he was very busy just then. and
told his visitor So She insisted on sing
ing however and at last Senator Hanna,
in desperation, sent her to Mr.. Dover, his
private secretary.
II have no ear for music" he said.
Sing to Dover; he is a musician"
Mr. Dover managed finally to get rid Of
his visitor. but not until he had heard
some campaign songs. The doorkeeper
will be more careful in future.
All OF the applicants want to see Mr..
Hanna. but very few of them succeed.
Usually they are told 10 call again, but
in cases where they are particularly in
sistent they are referred to Senator Scott,
or else to the sergeant-at-arms. In the
latter case they are not told to come again.