Correct. “Trafika” may have sold both tobacco and newspapers, but there was a state monopoly on tobacco, which then resulted in allocating those “offices” on political basis.
As for France, I remember there was a chapter in Stendhal’s “Lucien Leuwen” where the protagonist was sent, as an election emissary, to the province with a list of offices that he could grant to the political supporters. Later on I’ll have a look at what kind of offices those were.
Heh, Lucien Leuwen is fairly esoteric fare, specially for a non-Frenchman. I read the first part because I had some similarities with Lucien (same school, and enamored of a belle from Nancy), but found the second part too dispiriting to finish.
Here it is (my translation): “You’ll get money to distribute at the banks of Loire and three tobacconist shops as well. I even hope to get two postman offices. The finance minister haven’t answered yet in this matter, but I’ll let you know by telegraph. And moreover, you’ll be able to depose almost anyone. You are clever and you will use these rights discreetly.” (chapter XLIX)
Correct. “Trafika” may have sold both tobacco and newspapers, but there was a state monopoly on tobacco, which then resulted in allocating those “offices” on political basis.
As for France, I remember there was a chapter in Stendhal’s “Lucien Leuwen” where the protagonist was sent, as an election emissary, to the province with a list of offices that he could grant to the political supporters. Later on I’ll have a look at what kind of offices those were.
Heh, Lucien Leuwen is fairly esoteric fare, specially for a non-Frenchman. I read the first part because I had some similarities with Lucien (same school, and enamored of a belle from Nancy), but found the second part too dispiriting to finish.
Here it is (my translation): “You’ll get money to distribute at the banks of Loire and three tobacconist shops as well. I even hope to get two postman offices. The finance minister haven’t answered yet in this matter, but I’ll let you know by telegraph. And moreover, you’ll be able to depose almost anyone. You are clever and you will use these rights discreetly.” (chapter XLIX)