Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-12-11

drawn about the mouth and eyes,
however, that impartS anything but a
pleasing expression to this classical
countenance Ii is an expression that
comes with long years at the gam
bling table, and when thrown into
direct contrast with venerable gray
hairs is almost pathetic. He is dressed
in the hight of fashion of decade
ago. A Prince Albert coat, that is
almost satin in its gloss and simmer.
with trousers of a broad stripe, care
fully pressed if somewhat threadbare.
an ancient tile respondent in its satin
| gloss, but nevertheless revealing a
stormy career of years, and shoes
| which, despite the patent feathers
efforts to shine, show many enameled
cracks and patches. Such is the gen
eral appearance of them all, save that
this one or that one may have a flow
| ing gOatee or fierce mustaChe.
Generally it is only few minutes
| after their arrival that their hene-
| factor appears, when an unmiStakable
tiutter of expectancy runs through
their ranks, and they rise to the eN-
IRENE hight of their dignity, smooth
ing down their coats. Straightening
| their ties, and clearing their threats
for the brief interview. AS Mr.. DAILY
arrives at the first group he is greeted
| with warmth. After exchanging few
words with them. he turns his back
| for a moment. goes down into his
pocket, and passes something to each
member of the group, which is re-
| ceiVed with almost sleight-of-hand
rapidity. SO from group to group the
same greetings are exchanged and
the same pantomime repeated.
The first questions one is apt to
ask himself are: why does Mr.
DAILY give TO these men, and what
necessity compels them, apparently
bounty and charity? To the one
whose curiosity prompts him to inves-
| tigate the explanation is generally
satisfactory. In their days these men
were artists in the profession to
which they had devoted their lives.
ny hAaN bNNA diliNLSN MI LAZY - llloSN
skillful workmen, and not honest in
the full meaning of the word, they
were honest to a ChiValriC extent in
their dealings with him Though
strong in body still, they have lost their
nerve their eyesight has begun to
fail them, or through some other
physical weakness the skill of their
younger days has gone from them. As
they are absolutely untitled for any
other occupation, and were once faith
full workers for their employer, he
has put them upon his pension list
and assured them of his charity as
long as he lives and is able to give.
Pat oneedy, in the days of his
prosperity, had also his string of pen
sioners, and for that matter still has
a few. who depend on his benevolence
as the laborer depends on his wage
For several years past Mr.. Sheedy has
been something of a globe trotter, so
that he has been unable to distribute
his pensions with the regularity of
others of his friends who have re-
manned in New York. AS far as can
be learned, however, he has not for
gotten them, and, though he be in the
antipodes, he sends them their sti-
Ponds at stated intervals. The same
may be said of Richard Garfield
Honest John Kelly, Peter De Lacy
The" Allen, and dozens of others.
The political leader has also his
pensioners and the men who solicit
bounty with unremitting regularity
are, as a general rule, far from worthy
of any charity. The majority of them
are nothing but broken-down petty
politicians, whose physical feebleness
is due only to their vices; but as they
had been faithful officers for their
leaders, they feel that they have a
hold upon his charity, and with
punctuality which they had probably
never displayed before in their lives
in any good Office they plant them
selves in his path to receive their
regular allowances. Judging from
their general appearance whatever
little they do receive is Immediately
sacrificed at the shrine of Bacchus
Every evening between and 81
o'clock any one who happens to walk
up the east side of Center street from
Chambers to Franklin street, will see
man of the seen better days" type
standing on every corner in an ex-
pectant attitude, with his eyes direct
ed at the saloon in the northeast
corner of Franklin and Center streets
The saloon they gaze at 50 intently
belongs to Tom" Foley, leader of the
2nd assembly district, and these men
are his pensioners, and have been on
his pension list for years. To each |
one he gives IS cents every evening,
and should he forget to pass their |
way any evening he would find the |
whole string at his place of business /
the next morning to remind him of |
his remissness
The mention of Mr. Foley and his |
pensioners is only by way of illustrat- |
ing what every district leader of Tam |
many hall and many of the republican |
party is compelled to do by a habit |
that has grown upon them. Even