The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-31
HE DIDN'T GET THE MONEY.
Negro Found One Candidate Who Was
Impervious.

A long, gangling. gaunt negro has
haunted the corridors of the court
just as he has for years past when an
election is approaching, buttenholing
the candidates for office and begging
donations of them. He is over six
feet in height and apparently in the
best of health, but he shuns work S
he would a pestilence and manages to
live by his leech like ways off of con-
tributions from timid candidates who
are afraid. to offend him. s3.
He has hung about the office of
clerk of the city court for the past
three days as E. L. O'Neil, the pres
ent clerk, as we'll as Captain VIM
trode. the marshal of the court, are
candidates for reelection. When ever
either of them are alone in the office
for moment he drops in and relates
his story of woe. Sometimes his re-
quest is modest and it is for the price
of a couple of drinks then again he
wants enough money to get piece or
bacon which is not a modest request
when the price OF that commodity is
considered.
He had secured a favorable location
this morning just as a reporter enter
ed and his tenacles were reaching for
the form of the clerk. who pretended
not to notice him at first He waxed
eloquent in his appeal for aid This
time he wanted the price of a half ton
Of coal and while he assured Mr..
O'Neil that he could easily get the
price another place he did not want to
get it from 'theother man." for he was
against him for election and his hon
or would not permit him to ask the
favor. 1t is always the cash that he
demands for he has passed the stage
of requests and he is as firm in his de-
mands as a pirate of old, levying his
tribute on some unprotected town, at
the mercy of his guns.
O'Neil has declared himself on the
proposition of donating to this class and
is standing by his declaration with the
vaIor of man who is secure in his con-
victicns. 'See here, john" said O'NeH,
Il have told you that I am not going to
be bled by you or any of your class ana
mean all that have said. | make do
nations regularly to the charities of the
city and if you are in need as you
claim that you are and worthy you
can secure aid from these institutions
but I have not cent for you"
But" pleaded the negro. II want to
work for your election and I am against
the other man and you ought to do
boys always do and I can do you lots of
good when election day comes around
There is no use Of your wasting your
time on me john" replied the first man
who has had the tenerity to face this
band of loafing Ieeches, flor while it
may have been the custom in the past
for canGidatesrto support such as you,
! went do it and that settles the mat
ter. I don't want you hanging about
here and advise you to go to work and
quit your system of panhandeling."
'fBnts's pleaded the negro, there is
none of my work doing now for 1 am
a plasterer.''
Il suppose that you either cut ice or
shovel snow in the summer time" re-
piled O'Neil. but at any rate it makes
no difference to me and you had better
move on and keep away from here in
the future"
With a baffied look on his counten-
ance the tall dark form of John
sought the open air of the hallway to
mediate on the nerve of a man who
is running for office and will not donate
to q fellow citizen who wants to see him
re-elected.