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Sender: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Hod-carriers and Presidents
From: Clay Shannon <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2021 14:58:06 +0000
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Reply-To: Clay Shannon <[log in to unmask]>
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In "THE TREATY WITH CHINA: ITS PROVISIONS EXPLAINED" (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/33077/33077-h/33077-h.htm), 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

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