The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-04-08
The Evening Altar.

Through d series OF short sketches GOV
ering the salient points la the conduct
OF a political campaign along practical
lines, the patrons Of this bureau have
been given peep into the method,
whereby common clay may he nodded
into statesmen. The selection Of q can
didaie by self-consti,u,ea board OF
strategy or steering committee has been
Explained and the career Of such a can
didatc has been followed down TO the
cheering which indicates that victory has
perched above his banner,
Here in New England u Is the correct
thing for the victorious candidate 10 be
called 10 the front porch on the evening
OF the battle OF ballots, or the evening
after. and presented with an orat0rical
bouquet from some leading citizen. Here
is where the member-elect should arrive
ahead of those making the call. lie will
ba called upon TO make speech. For the
ordinary member OF a Vermont legisla-
turc 10 make a speech upon demand
would he dangerous. Hence il is well
for all candidates for public Office 10
prepare themselves for the shouts Of the
victorious lieutenants who cry speech,
speech" While one may not he called
upon 10 face the flushed and Joyous faces
of the prolctariat and indulge in "Fel-
low Citizens. etc" II Is best to bc pre-
pared. Then one must also be prepared
to ask the throng 10 come into the house
and make themselves al home. II puts
one in a ridiculous position TO say wait
minute. boys, believe | have some
thing TO smoke" and find that he is
mistaken. To remove the possibility Of
such a prrdicamcnt il is well that the
candidate put himself In readiness and
have few quarts of Stimulant and
several boxes of cigars stored away where
they can be- found If occasion requires; il
Is also well that he make his purchases in
some other town. II he goes 10 local
tobacconist and buys thousand cigars
and has his druggist put up a prescrip-
ton of three gallons of whiskcy such
things become known in a small com
munity. Ii the candidate should happen
to have less votes than his opponent the
fact that he has made provision for treat
ing his friends will not seem as much a
joke to him aS to the friends Of the
man who won. There are eases on record
where such preparations were premature
and resulted in making a defeated candi-
date the butt OF the towns iokers. In
a nutshell can be given the Instructions
that should be needed by all candidates.
BE on the safe side. BE prepared
Don't think that three quarts of whiskey
and box of cigars will suffice for treat
ing thousand men. BE generous BE
cautious. Don't tell anyone but your
wife that you have got the cellar and
pantry stocked ready for the possible
arrival of the throng the evening after
When the speech is called for let the
main fact-that you have been elected
to the legislature-be lost sight of.
Simply thank the crowd for their loyalty
and support. Thank all nations and
creeds and never mind about outlining
a policy TO be followed at Montpelier.
Make no reference to any of the dark
spots of the campaign. just as YOU
finish your 95-second speech the band
should strike up some popular air. Be
sure that the band has been secured but
be sure that no one but the leader is
aware of any arrangements for music.
II would be ridiculous position to have
it become known that candidate had
arranged for the band concert given his
opponent. Make everything connected !