The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-07
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS OF
TODAY AND HALF A CENTURY AGO
Are Not SO Absorbing or SO Long Drawn Out, But
Are Vastly Better Organized.

through his hands, only two men, at
most, are entitled to know the aggre-
gate. These are the chairman and the
treasurer, and sometimes the complete
totals are known to the treasurer
alone. That he would ever give them
out for widespread publication is, of
course. inconceivable.
The enthusiasm displayed in some
of the latter-day campaigns is truly
remarkable and thoroughly heart
stirring, but, according to the old
timers, it does not begin to come up
to the high levels of other days
William NJ. Evarts and Richard w.
Thompson, both of whom took active
part in the famous campaign of 1870
the "Ttppecanoe and Tyler, too" cam
paign-uSed to say that never before
and never since that campaign had
there been such universal enthusiasm
on the part of voters. Almost lit
orally every citizen" said Mr.. Thomp-
son, took an active part" Stump
speaking and feasting were the great
features. There were barbecues at
tended by thousands, who ate car
casses of beef roasted, whole in the
presence of the multitude and drank
barrels on barrels of hard cider. The
campaign of 1910 was much longer
than at present. Nowadays the ut
most limit of active campaigning. is
fifteen or sixteen weeks, counting
from the dates of the nominating con-
ventions. In 1910 the whole country
was in a sort of political festival state
for practically six months.
The campaign of 1910 and those i'm
medfately following it, however, were
not at all well organized according
to modern notions, but in 1856, when
Fremont, for the then newly born Re
publican party, unsuccessfully contest
ed the election with James Buchanan,
there was more semblance of cam
paign organization.
1t was then that the custom of hold
ing uniformed parades was begun. In
Republican states every village had
its company of Fremont boys" and
the rich politicians took great delight
in buying their uniforms. 1t is politi-
cal tradition that the giving of cam
paign contributions began that year
and in that way.
It was not till 1860 that the torch
light parade came in, however. Con-
necticut was a spring state-that is,
its state election was held on the first
Monday in April-and Abraham Lin
coin was asked to help out in this
campaign. A company of young
men was organized to escort him to
the hall at Hartford, were he made
his first address. The young men
wore waterproof capes and caps, car
ried torches. and were called Wide
awakes." From that small beginning
~has been evolved the elaborate cam
paign parades that have been such
spectacular features Of most latter-day
campaigns.
j. Edward Simmons, the banker,
who has been spoken of so persistent
ly as probable treasurer of the Demo-
cratic Campaign Committee, has long
been identified with many of the most
important and solidest corporations
in this city,
He is IS years old, and was born in
Troy, the city of collars and cuffs TIe
is a college-bred man, Williams being
his alma mater. He began real life
as lawyer in Troy and did not enter
banking till 1867 He was only 26
then, however, and it was not till
twenty-one years later in 1888, that he
was first elected president of the
Fourth National Bank. Besides his
banking interests he has long, been
connected with the Panama Railroad.
and was at one time it's president-is
now, perhaps. For two years he was
president of the New York Stock Ex-
change, and he has long been closely
connected with the New York Clear
ing House and the New York Cham
Der of Commerce. In fact, it would
be hard to find man more closely
identified with the financial interests
of the metropolis than Banker Sim
mons.
1t is only fair to add that Mr.. Sim
mons has many other interests besides
those centering in the moneyed insti-
buttons of the city. He is a very big
Mason and he belongs to dozen of
much interest in educational affairs
and has been president of the Board
of Education. He is a forcible plat
form speaker also, but there has been
no announcement as yet that he will
take the stump on behalf of his party's
nominees.