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Poem
March 25, 1893
Daily Public Ledger
Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A Democratic editor from Squashville laments not receiving a consulship, blaming his paper's support for free trade and criticism of the McKinley bill. He considers switching to Republican and regrets not backing Harrison, ending with domestic woes.
Merged-components note: Merged adjacent image likely serving as an illustration for the poem.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
THE SQUASHVILLE EDITOR'S WAIL.
Said the Democratic editor, and a heavy sigh drew he,
No offices for editors, no consulship for me.
Just when one's hopes are hungering to blossom they are blighted.
But shall a Squashville journal with impunity be slighted?
Thus slighted after it so many reckless statements made,
Denounced the Tariff and approved the system of Free-trade:
Concerning the McKinley bill told many a barefaced lie,
Claimed wages under it were low, life's necessaries high.
No, whether Cleveland's done this thing or those who pull the strings,
I'll make The Squashville Democrat Republican, by jings
The consulship I wanted bad: I've had it in my eye
For many months, but this last move has knocked my hopes sky high.
Ah! if I had but fought for Ben, and Ben had won the day
Who knows? my leaders might have turned the tide the other way-
I might not to this treadmill here much longer be confined,
For he rewarded men of brains who mold the public mind.
Now I must stick till ninety-six in this obscure position,
Without a hope of bettering my miserable condition,
And lie in bed one day each week (oh! bitter, bitter cup!)
As usual, while my dear wife my shirt is doing up.
Said the Democratic editor, and a heavy sigh drew he,
No offices for editors, no consulship for me.
Just when one's hopes are hungering to blossom they are blighted.
But shall a Squashville journal with impunity be slighted?
Thus slighted after it so many reckless statements made,
Denounced the Tariff and approved the system of Free-trade:
Concerning the McKinley bill told many a barefaced lie,
Claimed wages under it were low, life's necessaries high.
No, whether Cleveland's done this thing or those who pull the strings,
I'll make The Squashville Democrat Republican, by jings
The consulship I wanted bad: I've had it in my eye
For many months, but this last move has knocked my hopes sky high.
Ah! if I had but fought for Ben, and Ben had won the day
Who knows? my leaders might have turned the tide the other way-
I might not to this treadmill here much longer be confined,
For he rewarded men of brains who mold the public mind.
Now I must stick till ninety-six in this obscure position,
Without a hope of bettering my miserable condition,
And lie in bed one day each week (oh! bitter, bitter cup!)
As usual, while my dear wife my shirt is doing up.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Political
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Squashville Editor
Democratic Politics
Mckinley Bill
Free Trade
Consulship
Cleveland Administration
Harrison
Tariff
Poem Details
Title
The Squashville Editor's Wail.
Subject
Editor's Complaint About Political Patronage And Tariffs
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
No Offices For Editors, No Consulship For Me.
I'll Make The Squashville Democrat Republican, By Jings
And Lie In Bed One Day Each Week (Oh! Bitter, Bitter Cup!) As Usual, While My Dear Wife My Shirt Is Doing Up.