I spent the week before election in the city, where I had the opportunity of observing what may be called the charitable side of politics.  For a whole month, or more, the burden of existence had been lifted from the shoulders of the homeless.  No church or organization, looked out for these frowsy, blear-eyed and ragged wanderers who had failed to find a place in the scale of efficiency.  For a whole month, I say, Mr. Judd Jason and his lieutenants made them their especial care; supported them in lodging-houses, induced the night clerks to give them attention; took the greatest pains to ensure them the birth-right which, as American citizens, was theirs,—­that of voting.  They were not only given homes for a period, but they were registered; and in the abundance of good feeling that reigned during this time of cheer, even the foreigners were registered!  On election day they were driven, like visiting notables, in carryalls and carriages to the polls!  Some of them, as though in compensation for ills endured between elections, voted not once, but many times; exercising judicial functions for which they should be given credit.  For instance, they were convinced that the Hon. W. W. Trulease had made a good governor; and they were Watling enthusiasts,—­intent on sending men to the legislature who would vote for him for senator; yet there were cases in which, for the minor offices, the democrat was the better man!

It was a memorable day.  In spite of Mr. Lawler’s Pilot, which was as a voice crying in the wilderness, citizens who had wives and homes and responsibilities, business men and clerks went to the voting booths and recorded their choice for Trulease, Watling and Prosperity:  and working-men followed suit.  Victory was in the air.  Even the policemen wore happy smiles, and in some instances the election officers themselves in absent-minded exuberance thrust bunches of ballots into the boxes!

In response to an insistent demand from his fellow-citizens Mr. Watling, the Saturday evening before, had made a speech in the Auditorium, decked with bunting and filled with people.  For once the Morning Era did not exaggerate when it declared that the ovation had lasted fully ten minutes.  “A remarkable proof” it went on to say, “of the esteem and confidence in which our fellow-citizen is held by those who know him best, his neighbours in the city where he has given so many instances of his public spirit, where he has achieved such distinction in the practice of the law.  He holds the sound American conviction that the office should seek the man.  His address is printed in another column, and we believe it will appeal to the intelligence and sober judgment of the state.  It is replete with modesty and wisdom.”