New-York tribune., 1901-10-13
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

Jacob Brenner chairman OF the Republican Cam
paign Committee, has adopted novel method of
preventing politicians from becoming too conf
Dental in their interviews with him. The de-
vice, which has been the Of much chagrin
to many prominent men and of much merrment
others who have watched it's operation, consists
in having a chair securely nailed the floor. 1t
is well known habit of politicians who par
ticularly earnest in their demands upon the head
Of the campaign committee to draw their chairs
up as close possible and leaning the
chairmans desk to talk directly into his ear Thus
intrenched in strong position. these men have
caused the unfortunate chairman end Of trouble
in getting rid Of them. Bearing this fact in mind,
Mr.. Brenner hit upon bright idea to keep his
visitors at a distance. He procured ordinary
armchair, placed it about four feet away from his
desk, and had the legs securely nailed to the floor.
The eager politician coming in for a confidential
chat with Mr.. Brenner, sits down in the inviting
looking chair totally oblivous of the hidden
The conversation is opened, and within short
time the visitor is seized with uncomfortable
desire to talk at closer range. With sudden i'm
pulsive movement he grasps the seat Of the chair
in both hands, and lurches forward with the idea
Of pulling the chair up by Mr Brenner's side. The
chair sturdy resists his efforts. and the usual
suit is that the too man falls forward on to
Mr.. Brenners desk. A look of surprise is quickly
followed by one of chagrin. Then the victim
slowly turns around with puzzled air to see what
the trouble is. Mr.. Brenner smiles quietly, while
70 conceal their amusement The visitor generally
takes the occurrence go96 naugedy ;a and scH geds
Mr. Brenner himself is delighted with the success
ferday Il am able to transact about three times
as much business I would II every man who
can cane light IN p to nv desR The names of many
prominent in the ranks OF the party: VINO nave We
mentioned. but it would be embarrassing TO them.
See Seine an an eort on Mr. Brenners part to hold him
self aloof from the party workers He declares
nerve saver. and such he intends to maintain 1t
Edward NJ. Shepard called out of bed about
o'clock last Tuesday morning to deny report
that he had been shot. sergeant and roundsman
from the Butler-st. station appeared at Mr.. Shep-
ards house. No 172 Congress-st.. and loudly rang
the ball until the butler appeared The man SER
var+ iunnped with establishment when he saw the
officers, and could scarcely reply for a moment
when the sergeant asked:
rs 1t true that Mr.. Shepard has been shot?"
mo. sir; no-o-that is to say. I don't think he
ha. sir" replied the butler when he had caught
his breath. why. sir. Mr.. Shepard has been in
bed for two hours"
The butler seemed confused that the sergeant.
who had sense Of his duty, was not sat
well said hs. 1T has been rep9rt.d in in Man Nan
haitian that M Of fPs B6ter hde sso % has or
dered me to find out about il. If Mr.. Shepard is
a sf buT t9 ha h he eon of
dsb9g his WHsts 6g the a 65s %ST obeed SO d to
come down and see what the fuss was all about
When the sergeant saw MI SHepdTu anu was CoH
vinced that the Tammany candidate was safe and
sound and had not been approached by any assas-
sins he was profuse in his apologies. Mr. Shepard
went back 10 bed to dream about the trials ana
tribulations of a mayoralty candidate.
1t was afterward learned that the false report
concerning Mr.. Shepard had arisen from an OPP
orator In one of the telephone exchanges in Man
haitian. She had misunderstood some message go
ing over the wires and called up Police Headquar-
tiers to ask whether il true that Mr.. Shepard
had been shot. The rumor was Immediately for
warded to the Brooklyn headquarters. with an
precinct in which. Mr.: Shepard lives. came near
forwarded TO bIn. He Is Democratic captain
with pull" and the idea that anything had hap