The Writings of Bret Harte standard library edition |
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TREASURER A---Y
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 | The Writings of Bret Harte |  |
326
TREASURER A---Y
Air: “A Frog He would A-wooing Go”
Our A---y would a-brokering go,
Heigh ho, for A---y!
Whether the people would let him or no,
Whether they fancied his practices low,
Or the economical-comical show
Of their State Treasurer A---y.
Heigh ho, for A---y!
Whether the people would let him or no,
Whether they fancied his practices low,
Or the economical-comical show
Of their State Treasurer A---y.
The Federal tax he collected in gold,
Heigh ho, for A---y,
But straightway the coin and the taxpayers sold,
By buying up Treasury notes, so we 're told,
At a nice little discount—O, that was a bold
Speculation of Treasurer A---y's.
Heigh ho, for A---y,
But straightway the coin and the taxpayers sold,
By buying up Treasury notes, so we 're told,
At a nice little discount—O, that was a bold
Speculation of Treasurer A---y's.
Let poor Uncle Samuel do what he may,
Heigh ho, for A---y.
What does he care what the newspapers say?
Let Volunteers starve upon half of their pay,
Lord bless us—it 's the economical way
Of great State Treasurer A---y.
Heigh ho, for A---y.
What does he care what the newspapers say?
Let Volunteers starve upon half of their pay,
Lord bless us—it 's the economical way
Of great State Treasurer A---y.
What shall we do with our great financier?
Heigh ho, for A---y.
He 's rather expensive to keep by the year,
As a business transaction 't is certainly clear
To get ourselves rid of him no discount 's dear,
That exchanges State Treasurer A---y.
Heigh ho, for A---y.
He 's rather expensive to keep by the year,
As a business transaction 't is certainly clear
To get ourselves rid of him no discount 's dear,
That exchanges State Treasurer A---y.
State Treasurer Ashley, of California, in 1863 paid the State's tax to the Government in legal tender notes. Gold, of course, at this time was at a premium, and Ashley had received this Federal tax in gold. The press severely criticized him for the transaction, and upon an attempt to repeat the offense the notes were refused by the United States Treasurer.
| The Writings of Bret Harte | |