This speech was received with enthusiastic applause by the audience. Indeed, it may be said that the sympathy of the people was much more largely on Ben’s side than on the side of the officials.
At about this time the campaign for the election of a Congressman for that district opened, and Hogan entertained some ideas of running for the office on an independent ticket. While not expecting, nor, for that matter, seeking an election, he desired to show what his strength was, and in that way throw his influence on whichever side of the house he saw fit.
He went so far as to organize a committee in Millerstown, with the ostensible purpose of supporting him for Congress. The officers of this somewhat curious committee were as follows: President, Ben Hogan; Vice-President, Ben Hogan; Secretary and Treasurer, Ben Hogan. It may be added that the membership consisted chiefly, if not solely, of the officers; and as Ben was all the officers put together, he was likewise all the members.
He held a memorable meeting that fall in Millerstown. Securing the services of a brass band, he marched to the hall, collecting a crowd as he went, and then selected officers for the evening from among the representative citizens. Speeches were made by a number of those present, but the beauty of the thing was that nobody could tell on which side the orators were arguing. In fact, Ben directed the speakers to eschew politics altogether, so that no offense could be given to either party. Then he mounted the rostrum, and made this little speech himself:
“To-morrow is election day. I want to say a word to the working men, and it is this: Vote for the best candidates, never minding what their politics are. You will find plenty of men running for office who will be your friends so long as they can make tools of you. But after election they do not know you when they meet you. Now, I think you will bear me witness that I have always tried to help the working man. I never turned anybody away from my house hungry, nor have I refused money to those who needed it. I never passed a beggar or blind man without giving him something. But I do not ask any political favors. I have not even told you which party I shall work for, and I’m not going to tell you now!”
This little speech was received with much laughter and applause. As a matter of fact, Hogan was paid money by both political parties that night, but he worked the next day with the Democrats for a Congressman, District Attorney and Judge, all of whom were elected.
This little campaigning incident goes to show that a good many leading politicians have sought Ben Hogan’s aid, and have been able to carry through their plans solely by reason of his influence. Had he chosen himself to run for Congress that year, it is at least probable that he would have been successful. And the capital might then have been graced by the Hon. Ben Hogan as it once was by the Hon. John Morrissey.