[Ads-l] Pie fight (U.S. politics)

[Steven Losie]

PIE FIGHT (U.S. politics)

In researching the pie-throwing sense of "pie fight", I turned up many
earlier usages of "pie fight" unrelated to the slapstick cliche. These
earlier usages appear to be using "pie" in the figurative sense of dividing
a limited resource into separate portions, and usually used when
referencing patronage in U.S. politics:

[begin quote]
[headline] Durham Pie Fight

Struggle Waxes Hot Between Two Factions.

About Postmastership

Rigsbee's Revenue Appointment Intensifies Fight.

Fight So Warm Dark Horse May Win
[end quote]
Source: The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), 23 Feb 1898, p.3, col.2
(Chronicling America)
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042104/1898-02-23/ed-1/seq-3/#words=FIGHT+PIE&proxtext=%22pie+fight%22

[begin quote]
These are the two federal jobs over which there has been such a pie fight
between factions of St. Louis Republicans.
[end quote]
Source: Potosi (Missouri) Journal, 25 Dec 1901, p.1, col.1 (newspapers.com)

[begin quote]
[sub-headline] With Reference to Internal Collectorship — What He Thinks of
the Pie Fight
[end quote]
Source: Pine Bluff (Arkansas) Daily Graphic, 12 Feb 1902, p.4, col.2
(Chronicling America)
Article title: Remmel At Sea
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89051168/1902-02-12/ed-1/seq-4/#words=Pie+Flight&proxtext=%22pie+fight%22

[begin quote]
While it is true that there are so called "pie fights" among Missouri
Republicans, this disturbance does not extend to the rank and file of the
party. The contentions over federal patronage are natural since there is
generally more than one applicant for each place, and until the appointment
is made the friends of each individual applicant will bestir themselves in
behalf of their favorite.
[end quote]
Source: Potosi (Missouri) Journal, 24 Jan 1906, p.1, col.1 (newspapers.com)

[begin quote]
A telegram was received yesterday from Major W.F. Tebbetts, of Mobile, from
Birmingham stating that he would not be able to preside at the big
Republican rally which was held at Noble Street Theatre tonight on account
of his having been called home to Mobile on business, and in connection
with this fact it is believed that there is the story of another "pie
fight" of National interest in which Anniston will be the battleground, or,
at least, on[e ]of the chief centers of activity.
[end quote]
Source: Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Ala.), 24 Oct 1908, p.3, col.1
(ProQuest)
Article title: Tebbetts May Lose

[begin quote]
[headline] Wilson Neutral in Bryan's "Pie" Fight

[..]

In the patronage fight between former Secretary of State Bryan and Senator
Hitchcock, of Nebraska, President Wilson today maintained strict neutrality.
[end quote]
Source: The Montgomery (Ala.) Times, 24 July 1915, p.8, col.7 (
newspapers.com)

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