No. 886
Crime, Eccentricity, and the Sporting Life in 19th Century America.
October 27, 2026

The Woman Racket.

Frail Beauties Enlisted in the Cause of Politicians.
October 27, 2026
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Pedal Advertising. | The Floor Falls Through,

The Woman Racket.

woman-racket

At the recent caucus Of political leaders held in New York state, previous to the recent convention at Utica, various modes of operating on the Grange were discussed, but the only feasible one and that finally adopted, which was proposed by a shrewd young New York politician of fast proclivities, was the "woman racket" "If," said the latter, in his somewhat flowery remarks in advocacy of the idea, "the charms of lovely women could so enthrall the gigantic intellect of our chief, Senator Conkling, can we doubt that they will have a moving effect upon the untutored minds of our rural friends?" "Yes," Interrupted a blunt but sound delegate from the agricultural districts, "but you know it wasn't their charms but a double-barreled shotgun with Gov. Sprague at the business end of it that had the 'moving effect' on the boss." "Order, order" was loudly called by several members.

While seated at their supper that night In Eames' Hotel. Hon. Timothy Hay and a fellow delegate both from the back counties were surprised by a vision of female loveliness. consisting of two magnificent looking and stylishly dressed women, who under the escort of our young New York politician, seated themselves at their table, apparently by accident an introduction followed, and it was not long before the New Yorker found an excuse to leave. That the remaining parties were immensely pleased with each other would have been the verdict of a casual looker-on, after the consumption of the sundry bottles of Monopole. half an hour later. Each delegate sought his room that night exultingly conscious of having achieved a conquest.


Illustrated Police News, March 27, 1880.