Evening star., 1945-04-15
Capital Sidelights
By Will P. Kennedy.

Political campaign posters in vogue
today throughout the United States
(and in Europe are one Of the small
debts our modern world owes to Roman
civilization. Their origin is traced back
to the first century AD., according to
Charles Sherman, D. c. L., Ii, D.. teach
er, lawyer and librarian, who received his
doctorates from Yale and National Uni
versity here. The writer of this column
points with pride" to DR.. Sherman be-
cause we were schoolmates so years ago
in an excellent schoolhouse which Sher-
mans father built. DR.. Sherman has
been a special lecturer in Georgetown
University Law School, Boston Univer-
sity, the University of Texas and his
toric William and Mary College.
Many members OF Congress and others
prominent in political life are interested
in DR.. Sherman's statement that more
than $500 political notices have been
found on the walls Of Pompeli destroyed
by Mount Vesuvius more than 1000
years ago. He suggests that very likely
the Apostle Paul read many of these in
his lifetime as he journeyed through
Italy. 1t seems to have been a favorite
method to promote candidates cause
by posting up on the walls some short
statement concerning him for the
pasSerby to read
These notices were in letters 2 to 12
inches tall, sponsored by private (prob-
ably prominent citizens and usually
painted by professional sign painters,
who often placed their own names below
the notices in the same fashion as artists
and sign-painters today sign their
work.
DR.. Sherman quotes an interesting
poster: "Messenio nominates NJ Ger
rinius Vatia as an aedile, man worthy
of the commonwealth" An "aedile" was
a commissioner of public works That
notice was signed 'Infantio Florus Fruc-
tus, ct Sabinus scripsit is, painted
it. But Citizen Vatia had his enemies
or critics, as other posters show: "All the
sleepy men nominate Vatia as aedile";;
THE petty thieves propose Vatia for
the aedileship";; Il ask your support for
NJ Cerrinius Vatia as aedile-all the
late drinkers nominate him. Florus and
Fructus painted this notice" and ITO
Vatia for the aedileship Verus LIMOGES,
the truly upright man, gives his sup
port"
Any householder, DR.. Sherman ex-
plains. might have his own recommended
ton for Office painted on the walls of
his house. A candidate might have his
recommendations painted at his own
expense on the walls of his supporters
houses. Among the most interesting rec
concentrations are those by organiza-
tions. The goldsmiths, the BARRIERS, even
the priests of Isis presented their candi-
dates. One poster stated: "The farmers
nominate M. Casellius Marcellus as
aedile,' just as various farmer organ
izations today boost their candidates.
Various reasons why certain candidates
should be supported were ascribed as:
O. Bruttius Balbus will guard the treas
ury," II beg you to support A. Vettius
Firmus-ballplayers indorse him" One
electoral notice said: "The neighbors
Vic SlCCUlOL VI 1IldCuS 31Cl.
vius Sabinus, an honest man."
Election notices often were superim-
posed, one upon another, and generally
effaced and painted over under the
cover of darkness-for a morning sur
prise A whitewasher or plasterer would
smear over the notice to be obliterated,
and then a painter or sculptor would
blazon the new text.
One of the more elaborate pieces of
campaign billboard advertising was
found on the walls of house in a re-
stored street of Pompeii. In handsome
lettering appears: Twenty pairs of
gladiators, at the expense of Decimus
Lucretius Satrius Valens, priest of Nero
Caesar, and 10 pairs of gladiators be-
longing to Decimus Lucretius. jr. will
fight in Pompeii from the day preced-
ing the none Of April from April a.
There will be wild beast hunt, and the
great awning will be spread"