〈MOTIVES FOR BEING ON A COMMITTEE.〉
At all elections some few men, perhaps from four or five up to ten or twelve, do all the difficult and real work of the committee. The committee itself is, for several reasons, generally very numerous.
All who are supposed to have weight are, of course, put upon it.
Many who wish to appear to have weight get their names upon it.
Some get put upon it thinking to establish a political claim upon the party.
Others because they like to see their names in the newspapers.
Others again, who, if not on his committee, would vote against the candidate.
There are also idlers and busybodies, who go there to talk or to carry away something to talk about, which may give them importance in their own circle.
Young lawyers, of both departments of the profession, are very numerous, possessing acute perceptions of professional advantage.
A jester and a good story-teller are very useful; but a jolly and enterprising professor of rhodomontade is on some occasions invaluable—more especially if he is not an Irishman.