[Sam P. Davis, The Candidate's Diary, from Short Stories (1886)]

 

The Candidate's Diary.

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            [The scene of the chaotic events described in the following was laid in Virginia City, and is a sad recital of actual experience in sage-brush politics.]

            Evening before the convention, 9:30 P. M—All serene. Will get 29 votes on the first ballot.

            9:30—Hear that Harrington has again come into the fight. [Note.—It will improve my chances.]

            9:45—Man from Third Ward just heard from Harrington's own lips, in front of Dan O'Connell's saloon, that he has drawn out.

            9:50—Man from First Ward just heard Harrington say that he was going to stand in, first, last and all the time.

            9:52—Miles Finlen says that Harrington is in Bodie.

            10 o'clock—News of caucus being held in Second Ward to put in new man.

            10:15—Policeman from First Ward hurrahing for Bradley. Has a delegate by the arm. They drink. Put delegate on list of doubtful.

            10:20—Heard a man offer to bet $20 that Walker gets the nomination. Stake a man with $20 and he corrals the bet. Sent him off to find some more soft things.

            10:22—Hear that Bradley has two wards solid.

            10:30—Am assured of three wards, all solid. Treat my informant, who rings in four friends.

(135)

136      SHORT STORIES.

            10:40—Hear that Harrington has drawn out. Profess to like it and treat the crowd, one of whom afterwards assures me confidentially that he is still in.

            10:50—Four Republicans agree to vote for me if nominated. Tell barkeeper to chalk it.

            11 o'clock—News that Harrington has again drawn out, also that he has made a combination with Bradley.

            11:02—Delegate calls me to one side and says he has four proxies, all for me. Set 'em up again, with cigars. Expect to meet more delegates and borrow $10 of Jack Magee Play keno for an hour to give brain a rest.

            12 o'clock—Borrow $10 of Jim Orndorff. Buzz delegates and friends from 12 till 2. Hear conflicting news from all the wards. Call a man a liar. Almost licked. Row, police, etc. Hear that I have combined with Bradley, sold out Walker, bought off Harrington, lost the Second Ward and played the devil generally.

            2 o'clock—Go to bed.

            Get up at 6 o'clock in the morning, put on a clean shirt and fix everybody. Count up 25 votes on first ballot, sure. Three doubtful and the rest scattered. [Note —Must secure some proxies for Joe Douglass, Jr.]

            9 o'clock A. M.—Visited by eighteen delegates who swear to stand in.

            9:10—Introduced to a man from Flowery District who has been sent up to make my fight. [He's a rustler. Get three more men to make fight. Agree to combine with Loftus, Halpin and Mahanny, and treat Joe Douglass, Jr.]

            9:30—Fight all made. [Note—Conclude to hear from a few parties.]

            9:35—Hear that Harrington has drawn out for good and thrown his strength for me. Treat informant.

A CANDIDATE'S DIARY.    137

            9:40—Am advised to look out for big job and rustle. Rustle for an hour or so and gain four more delegates. Meet a man who wants his cousin put on the force. Promise to put him on. Attempt to ring in Masonic grip. Fail. Agree to make fifteen appointments, if elected. See some of the men, and begin to hope I won't be nominated. Hear Harrington will stand in.

            1:30—All serene. Have big speech ready for the convention. Fear the audience is too critical, and conclude not to make it. Anxious to hear from first ballot.

            1:35—Hear from first ballot—get four votes. Receive condolence from friends. Second ballot—six votes. Advised to brace up. Begin to connubiate. Secure an adjournment, and turn loose some lively workers in the convention. Hear bets offered of three to one on me and no takers. Friends enthused. Convention captured. Appoint twenty-one more policemen and go in to see the end—eighteen to twenty-one. I beat my opponent twenty yards in getting out of the hall.

            Between 4 and 5 o'clock meet thirty men who voted for me on all the ballots.

            9 o'clock—Meet Chief McCourt, who says that he stood forninst me first, last and every time, and expresses gratification at my defeat. Shake hands ; present him with a chromo ; order glass case, and expect to put him on exhibition as an honest man.