Yup. I think so, too. --susan Susan K. Harris ________________________________ From: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Bird, John C. <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, March 5, 2021 9:26 AM To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Hod-carriers and Presidents I responded to Clay individually instead of to the list. I think Twain is referring to Irishmen. Any other thoughts? John Sent from my Galaxy TabŪ A -------- Original message -------- From: Clay Shannon <[log in to unmask]> Date: 3/5/21 10:05 AM (GMT-05:00) To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [EXTERNAL] Hod-carriers and Presidents In "THE TREATY WITH CHINA: ITS PROVISIONS EXPLAINED" (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gutenberg.org%2Ffiles%2F33077%2F33077-h%2F33077-h.htm&data=04%7C01%7Cskh5%40KU.EDU%7C1723341f56374eec183008d8dfebaf35%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C637505550639912152%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=D%2Fiq%2B2Pm30cvEcCb7fQBW2hAvYqcUzFw%2F62sf%2FjGhDc%3D&reserved=0), Twain wrote this: I have seen dogs almost tear helpless Chinamen to pieces in broad daylight in San Francisco, and I have seen hod-carriers who help to make Presidents stand around and enjoy the sport. Was there some special reason Twain connected hod carriers with the making of presidents? He meant electing them, I assume, but why them more than anyone else? Was there a common phrase at the time that mentioned hod carriers and presidents? - B. Clay Shannon CAUTION: This message originated from an external source