Commission decided that it could not go behind the Governor's certificate in the cases submitted. This rule of procedure was so worded, however, that a majority (Republican) of the commissioners held that in the case of Oregon, where the Governor had certified incorrectly, it (the Commission) was competent to correct the certificate in accordance with the laws of the State. This ruling gave Mr. Hayes, the Republican candidate for the Presidency, a majority of one vote in the Electoral College (see Electors), he receiving 185, while Mr. Tilden, the Democratic candidate, received 184.

ELECTORS.-The President is not chosen by a direct vote of the people. The voters of each State choose as many" electors" as the State has representatives in both Houses of Congress. These meet and vote for President and Vice-President under certain constitutional restrictions. Collectively, these electors are known as "the Electoral College,” though this term is not recognized as an official designation in the Constitution, and was not used even informally until about 1821. Many of the clearest-headed statesmen now living believe that a direct vote would more fairly represent the popular will.

FAVORITE SON.-This phrase became so common, used in reference to local or State politicians that the Nation at last made it the text for an editorial article so severely satirical that "favorite sons" have not been so numerous since its publication.

FEDERALISTS.-The Federalists grew out of a wing of the colonial Whig party which advocated a concentration of power in a general gov ernment. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison and John Jay were among its leaders, and jointly wrote a once famous series of essays, which were published in the "Federalist" over the common nom de plume of "Publius." Washington was the acknowledged head of the party, and its power was not broken until the Presidential election of 1800, when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were elected by the then Republicans, defeating the Federalist candidates, John Adams and C. C. Pinckney. By 1820 the party may be said to have been practically out of the political race, though its traditions were proudly cherished for many years afterwards. Its membership mostly fell

back upon the name of " 'Whig" (q. v.) for a party designation. During the civil war the Union troops were sometimes called "Federals."

FENCE.-To be "on the fence" in politics is to be neutral as regards the opposing parties. F. F. Vs. A satirical abbreviation of "First Families of Virginia," and applied generally to what was known as the Southern aristocracy. The abbreviation was of Northern origin.

FIFTY-FOUR-FORTY OR FIGHT.-An alliterative rallying cry which had a great run in 1824, when the location of the Northwestern boundary was in dispute with Great Britain. On the strength of a former treaty with Russia, it was held that our northwestern territory should extend to the parallel of 54° 40', but a compromise was effected in 1846, by the extension of the 49th parallel to Puget Sound.

FILIBUSTER.-To obstruct legislative action by calling for the yeas and nays, and the like, in order to gain time. The original is the Spanish word filiboti, a pirate, and the parliamentary meaning implies a disposition to override regular rules. Filibustering is usually practiced by the minority in order to tire out the majority.

FIRE-EATER. A bitter Southern partisan. It came into use during the early anti-slavery days, and is of frequent occurrence in the journals of that time. It is equivalent to Bourbon (q. v.), but probably of earlier origin.

FREE SOILERS.-The party began to show strength in 1848, with the avowed purpose of restricting slavery to its then existing limits. It was preceded and grew out of the Liberty Party," which never developed much strength, and in 1853 was merged in the Republican party.

FUSS AND FEATHERS.-An army nickname of General Winfield Scott, subsequently applied to him by his political opponents when he ran for the presidency in 1852.

GERRYMANDER.- To gerrymander" a State is to arrange its political subdivisions so that in an election one party shall have an advantage over another. The term is derived from the name of Governor Gerry of Massachusetts, who in 1811 signed a bill readjusting the representative districts so as to favor the Democrats and weaken the Federalists, although the last named

64

party polled nearly two-thirds of the votes cast. A fancied resemblance of a map of the districts thus treated led Stuart, the painter, to add a few lines with his pencil, and say to Mr. Russell, editor of the Buston Sentinel. That will do for a Salamander." Russell glanced at it: Salamander?" said he, "Call it a Gerrymander!" The epithet took at once and became a Federalist war cry, the map caricature being published as a campaign document. It is worthy of note that the word recently found its way into English journalism, but of course the American spelling was not to be accepted, and it appeared as “Jerrimander.” tator of August 16, 1884, however, made the correction, but did not tell the story as above.

The Spec

"GIVE 'EM JESSIE."-A party war cry current in the Presidential campaign of 1856. Fremont, the Republican candidate, had fifteen years before made a runaway match with Jessie, daughter of Thomas H. Benton, and the popu. lar favor with which runaway matches are apt to be regarded was made much of in this case, the lady's name being freely used in song and story by her husband's political supporters.

GOLDEN CIRCLE, KNIGHTS OF.-An organization formed among "Copperheads" (q. v.) at the North during the Civil War, to aid in the rescue of Confederate prisoners held by the United States. Also one of the alleged names of the Ku Klux Klan

GRANGERS.“ -"The Patrons of Husbandry." A secret society, nominally non-political, but really taking a hand in politics when occasion offers to favor agricultural interests. It is numerically strong and extends throughout the United States.

GREENBACK.-The term was at first applied to the issues of United States notes which bore on the reverse side a device printed in green ink to prevent counterfeiting by photography. The Greenback Labor Party is one which advocates a currency based in general terms upon the National credit and authority without the security of a specie reserve.

HALF-BREED. - Originally in its political sense a derisive nickname applied to certain Republicans of New York, who wavered in their party allegiance during the fight over the United States Senatorship in 1881.

HARD CIDER CAMPAIGN.-See Tippecanoe,

etc.

HARDS." Hards" and "softs," or "hard shells" and 'soft shells," are terms which are freely used in a variety of political connections, but the earliest conspicuous instance was in 1854, when the Hunkers took the name of "Hards," and their opponents, the "Barnburners," that of "Softs." Originally sects of the Baptist denomination were termed "hard shells" and "soft shells," by their unregenerate critics, the simile being drawn from the crab in its different states of existence.

owners.

HARRY OF THE WEST. -Henry Clay. HAY-WARD, or "Hay-warden," a township officer whose duty it is to impound stray cattle and feed them until they are redeemed by their The word undoubtedly came over with the early colonists, since it is found in old English records, and is allied to "hedge-ward," 'fence-ward," etc. It sometimes occurs as "ha-ward." An absurd derivation has obtained some currency to the effect that this official gets his title from driving the cattle hayward, .., in the direction of hay.

HEELERS.-The followers or henchmen of a politician or of a party. The term always carries a contemptuous significance. See "Boys."

HIGH MINDEd FederalisSTS.-A derisive term applied in 1820 to a few Federalists who supported Gov. Clinton, and were laughed at for their frequent use of the phrase "high-minded."

HUNKERS, or Old Hunkers, derived from the Dutch honk (home). A local political term originating in New York in 1844 to designate the Conservative Democrats as opposed to the Young Democracy or "Barnburners" (q. v.)

KICKER.-One who revolts against party discipline-kicks over the traces, as it were.

KNOW NOTHINGS.-A secondary phase of the "American Party" (q. v.), organized in New York in 1853, by E. Z. C. Judson, better known as "Ned Buntline." Members of the party answered all questions concerning it with the response, "I don't know," whence the popular name. The secret name is said to have been "The Sons of '76." The cardinal principle of the society was that "Americans must rule America." After some notable successes at the polls, the society went to pieces, owing to the extreme measures proposed by its leaders. These declared war to the hilt against Roman Catholics, advocated the repeal of all naturalization laws, and reserved all offices for native-born Americans. It did not altogether disappear from national politics until 1860. A curious local meaning is found in Massachusetts, where the crossing of two railroads at grade is termed a "Know Nothing." The name was applied in consequence of a railroad accident which occurred just before the election of Gov. Gardner, in 1854. He was the Know Nothing candidate, and his first official act was to secure the passage of a law requiring all trains to stop before reaching such a crossing.

KU KLUX KLAN.-A secret association of Southerners formed shortly after the war. It was otherwise known as "The Invisible Empire," as "The Knights of the White Camellia," "Of the Golden Circle," and a score of other names. It is said on good authority (See Century Magazine, July, 1884) to have been originally organized by a few young men for amusement during the period of stagnation after the close of hostilities. It soon, however, outgrew the design of its founders, branches being established all over the South, and its political influence becoming almost absolute. That it was directly and indirectly chargeable with outrages against settlers from the North, and against negroes, is not to be denied, but it is also believed

that it was largely instrumental in preserving order during a period when lawlessness was rife at the South. The name was an alliterative corruption of the Greek uvuλo5 (a circle), the "Klan" being added to enhance the strange jingle of consonants. The Southern negroes, who lived in mortal terror of the "Klan," believed that the name was associated with certain audible " clucks," by means of which signals were supposed to be interchanged during midnight raids. The Ku Klux Klan was founded in June, 1866, and it was nominally disbanded by its presiding "Grand Wizard" in February, 1869. Ku Klux raids were common, however, for several years after that date.

LIBERAL. This term acquired its recent significance from a movement headed by Carl Schurz in Missouri, in 1870, and resulting in a division of the local Republicans into "Liberals" and "Radicals," the latter being equivalent to "Stalwart" as more recently used. It is also used in combination with other party names.

LEWISITES.-A local New York term applied to the supporters of Morgan Lewis, who was governor in 1804. It was the "swell" party of the day.

LOBBY.-Lobbyists are persons who frequent the approaches to legislative halls and seek to influence legislation by “lobbying," which may mean mere argument or absolute bribery. The Third House." lobby is also called the " LITTLE GIANT.-A nickname for Stephen A. Douglas, who was small of stature, but of great intellect. When he was nominated for the Presidency in 1859, campaign clubs, calling themselves "Little Giant," were organized and uniWideawakes." formed after the manner of the (q.v.).

LITTLE MAC.-The nickname of army General George B. McClelland. It became conspicuous politically when he was the Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 1864.

CHARLES LEDYARD NORTON

JOH

EARLY STAGE TRAVELING.

Philadelphia STAGE-WAGGON, and New-York STAGE BOAT performs their Stages twice a Week OHN BUTLER, with his waggan, fers out on Mondays from his Houle, at the Sign of the Death of the Fox, in Strawberry ally, and drives the Same day to Trenton Ferry, when Francis Holman meets him, and proceeds on Tuesday to Brunswick, and the paffengers and goods being fhifted into the waggon of Ilaac Fitzrandolph, he takes them to the New Blazing-Star co Jacob Fitzrandolph's the fame day, where Rubin Firzrandolph, with a boa well fitted, will receive them, and take them to New-York that night. John Butler recurning to Philadelphia on Tuesday with the paflengers and goods delivered to him by Francis Holman, will again fer out for Trenton Ferry on Thursday, and Francis Holman, &c. will carry his paffengers and goods, with the fame es pedition as above to New-York. Tbcrf.

[From the Pennsylvania Journal, May 24, 1759]

EARLY POST-RIDING-The Pennsylvania Journal of January 31, 1760, contains the following: "Notice is hereby given, that I, John Cisty, being employed by a number of Gentlemen, intend to ride as a Messenger between BaltimoreTown in Maryland, and Philadelphia, once a Fortnight during the Winter, and

THE HISTORICAL SLIPPER OF GOLD -The Earl of Carnarvon, late Colonial Secretary of Great Britain, recently sent to William L. Stone a tiny gold slipper that was worn by his great aunt, Lady Harriet Ackland, on her watch guard, while traveling with Burgoyne's army prior to his surrender at Saratoga. The note accompanying the gift, referring to Mr. Stone's memoir of Lady Ackland, said: "It is a matter of no uncommon pleasure to me to see my family history thus preserved and valued on the other side of the Atlantic. It renews a feeling that very often comes across me, that the identity and sympathies of race remain wholly untouched by a hundred years of separation-perhaps are all the stronger for the nominal differences. Last year when I was in America, I only felt that I was in another and distant part of England."

Royal Primmer, Royal Battledore, &c. &c. &c.

New York Journal, Dec. 20, 1766
PETERSFIELD

DRESS OF COLUMBUS-Almost all the pictures which represent Columbus, put him in a court dress, which he probably never saw, for it was not worn till long afterwards. A Spanish artist, Lizcano, in his meeting between Charles and Pizarro in 1529, given in a Spanish paper, and copied into the New York Graphic of September 13, 1881, shows a curious mistake. At that time Charles was only thirty years of age, while Pizarro was a man of more than fifty. The picture represents Charles as about sixty, and the other as about forty.

Charles was a Fleming by birth and education. He came to Spain with a retinue of Flemings, in scarlet, which struck the poor Spaniards, and in derision they called the tall red birds Flamencoes, by which they are still known.

J. C. B.

JERSEY PEACHES-A Letter from the back part of Elizabeth Town, greatly laments the extreme Cold Weather of all last week, and particularly Monday night last was said to be the coldest that was ever known at this season. The ice in many places was a full inch thick; and the great Peach Orchard belonging to Mr. Miller of that Borough, consisting of upwards of 11,000 fine