The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-14
THE NEW DICTIONARY.
Some More Things Brought Down 70
Date


Graft. Up to a few years ago this
term meant to attach-to graft the ska
from one person on 10 anOther-to gralt
slips from one tree to another-to a.
tach ones self to good thing II no"
means to detach, as detachlng money
from the city treasury-frOm corpora
tlon-from almost any source that eau
be named though oftener applied 10
things political It IS a much smootner'
nicer word than peculation, stealing or
embezzlament. and carries with It very
little disgrace. To be known as 4
CRATER carries a certain amount OF
respect and power Even judges naNS
been known to recognize that AaSe
Should CRATER happen to be causnl
at his work a large portion Of ra-e pup,
lie Immediately extend sympathy anu
coincidence, and if he is sent to PRISON
a petition Is at once put in circulation
to secure his pardon and give MN d
chance to graft some more. 1t IS purely
an American word, and grating Is
purely an American institution " helS
II has been tried in other countries ~
has been a lamentable failure
should properly begin with Steanng LhT
milk from orphan asylums and end
with looting a state treasury me pro-
gessiOn is open to all NO former eXpef-
fence required. No law books nor bur
glar kit needed. No lost time on ac-
count of the weather or taxpayers
ITO Pledge"-This term used to be
applied 10 the man who took his over
coat to the pawn shop and raised
couple of dollars on it. He PLEDGED
himself to repay the loan by certain
date. Kings and emperors used 70
pledge their royal word. Eoman lead !
ers pledged their sacred honor Nova
days politicians who want nominations |
come out in the newspapers and de- |
clare they are unpledged and will run !
things for the benefit Of the majority. |
When elected they fill all the offlces &C I
cording to the slate prepared months /
beforehand and let the majority WINS 4
tie. The governor pledges himself TO a
certain policy. The mayor does the
same. Other candidates hand the same
thing out. When they are seated IN |
office and you go to look for 1t II mas
faded away. Not an American Word al
together. but more familiar here thah
elsewhere Causes a grin wherever met
up with, but looks we'll in print. LOOKS
as il we had at last found one honest
politician, but it's all in the looks. Don't
get enthusiastic over it.
ITO Divvy.''-In the palmy days OF
the Roman empire this expression
meant to divide up the work of further
enhancing the glory Of the state Wheh
the Pilgrim Fathers landed on the
chores of America it meant dividing up
the work of building log houses, cheat-
ing the Indian out OF his furs ana get
ting rich as fast as possible 1t mas
now come down to mean that when
contractor gets job Of sewering or
paving he must divide his profits with
the alderman of that ward. Is also used
in connection with other Jobs and other
public officials. The term "whack up
is sometimes used in place of it, but IS
considered rather vulgar. Is generally
applied where a peanut man is obliged
to come down with a quarter to po-
liceman. for occupying favOrite cor
ner, or where two ignorant and un-
learned men steal a harness and sell 1t
and divide the proceeds. Is worked SUE
all the year round, and has kept the
market for diamonds active. Used to
be a term Of reprOach, and St. Louis
insisted on trying to make ii OdiOus,
but It win always be with US and VIII
be always more or less respected.
Patriotism. One hundred years ago
this term was much used to signify the
desire to die for ones country-to be
shot down in battle and buried in 4
shallow trench that others might live on
and get the benefit of the rise il real
estate. Such men were then spoken of
In the highest terms, and while on their
charged them over three cents a glass
for buttermilk. It is believed that the
term has somewhat degenerated of late
years. It Is now used altogether by
political candidates and would be can
didates in expressing their feelings. 1t
is their patriotism that impels them 10
come out Of the woods and run for a
fat off1ce-they appeal to the patriotism
Of the masses not to elect the other
Teller, who is a horsethief. but to boost
them in by large majority. The word
looks we'll and sounds we'll when COM
willing to sacrifice an income Of IS, 009