Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-05-03
Secretary Of State Brought Forth Much Laughter
 With Toast
COMPLIMENTS THEM
Pulls Off Jokes On Our Legislature Tells Good One on N0rwOOd and An.
 drewsLThe Political Traveller.

At the smoker given by the Arkan sas Travellers Saturday night at the Hotel Jefferson Secretary of State Earle w. Hodges responded to the toast ''The Political Traveller. His speech was one of the best of the evening and for the benefit tof the Graphic readers we publish it. The toast follows: Gentlemen and fellow citizens and fellow Travelers:-
 It is certainly with a great deal o6 pleasure and satisfaction on my part that appear before you for a few brief remarks tonight on the vubject of the Political Drummer or the f'Travelers in Politics"
 Allow me to state a. the beginning that accepted the courteous invita- ton of your secretary, MT. Chesnutt, with some doubt as to ability to
  fully, for the following named rea- sons. I had recently accepted an in- vitation to deliver the annual bac- calaureate address to the graduating class at Henderson, college at ArlHat delphia on May "A, and had also &C., cepted an invitation to deliver the opening prayer at holy roller meet ing at tbe hustling city of Rob Roy in the near future, and with a Traveller toast in process of making at the same time, naturally I feared there might be some trouble if I should unload my prayer or my bac- calaureate address on a bunch Of in- nocent and unsuspecting Arkansas Travellers. However, after thoroughly investigating the matter and finding that Pine Bluff Travellers although very particular, were never theless of very forgiving ma ture, decided to come. Here I am, and I'm glad I came.
 While not an active travelling man, member of your great organization, and after all, what am but drum mer? You sing in your travels of things to eat things to wear, while I sing the song of the politician. You sell soda and soap, while I peddle sentiment and politics. You deal in dry goods and wet goods, while my goods and my notions are dry all the time. so friends tell me. You worry the flesh and the devil, while I cruelty the spirit and save the country.
 Pardon me if I state to you, my friends, that I enjoy visiting in your bustling metropolis, of south Arkan- sas, the best county seat town be- tween Little Rock and the Lincoln county line. The good old county oi Jefferson-home of able men, true Democrats and a few republicans! One reason for my feeling at home with you is found in the result o1 your primary election last year. Out of fifty-three counties that the peo. pie gave to my candidacy for Secre. tary of State, only two other coun. ties gave me larger majorities thar this grand old county. Of course do not take this tribute personal; realize that most Of the votes were cast for Chester Taylor, enc of your home boys, who worked so unceasing. ly in behalf of my candidacy.
 My idea of a real drummer is that he Is the gray matter of commerce the active principle of busness, the nerve Of commerce. He is the song bird of civilization, the carrier dove Of peace and groceries and hardware; he is the honeybee of thrift. and the merchant is his buttercup and clover blossom The drummer, especially the Arkansas Traveller, is the angel of comfort and joy, and he carries in his grfpsack samples of all the seasons, but never a bottle.
 Speaking locally. gentleman have long been aware Of the fact that yo, have one of the finest commercia fields in America at your very doors yet it might not be out of place fol me to emphasize your opportunities Tn the midst of the great agricul tunal section that you have here. th magnificent timber lands. the ric lands. and in the heart of what will some day be the greatest oil am gas field in America, your opportuni ties for selling increased amount on goods are unlimited.
 On the vaudeville stage recentl. in Little Rock two knockabou blacAface comedians were attemptint to be funny. One of them asked tha b4a5er whsre he was from. Th' angWer was, from Pine Bluff" Ina