More than a century ago Martin Dooley, the Chicago bar owner who was the inspired creation of Finley Peter Dunne, offered the counter-argument to Measure 31, which would require the state to postpone an election if a major party candidate died. Here is an extract from “Mr. Dooley on Reform.”
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“That frind iv ye’ers, Dugan, is an intilligent man,” said Mr. Dooley. “All he needs is an index an’ a few illusthrations to make him a bicyclopedja iv useless information.”
“Well,” said Mr. Hennessey, judiciously, “he ain’t no Socrates an’ he ain’t no answers-to-questions colum; but he’s a good man that goes to his jooty, an’ as handy with a pick as some people are with a cocktail spoon. What’s he been doin’ again ye?”
“Nawthin,” said Mr. Dooley, “but he was in here Choosday. ‘Did ye vote?’ says I. ‘I did,’ says he. ‘Which wan iv th’ distinguished bunko steerers got ye’er invalu’ble suffrage?’ says I. ‘I didn’t have none with me,’ says he, ‘but I voted f’r Charter Haitch,’ says he. ‘I’ve been with him in six ilictions,’ says he, ‘an’ he’s a good man,’ he says. ‘D’ye think ye’re votin’ f’r th’ best?’ says I. ‘Why, man alive,’ I says, ‘Charter Haitch was assassinated three years ago,’ I says. ‘Was he?’ says Dugan. ‘Ah well, he’s lived that down be this time. He was a good man,’ he says.