The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-03-06
of New Hampshire, and b. j. Chambers,
Texas, for president and vicepresident
CITY ELECTION.

Our city election occurs one week from
look around and see what we had better do
OF course the office ofprlmc importance to
look after is that of Mayor. We are not in
position to say by authority that Mr.. Richo
son consents to be a candidate for reelection
but are assured that If IT is the general desire
to reclcct him he will not decline Our city
under his administration during the past
year has got along exceedingly well. It's
finances, under no former administration, had
been administered with greater care and skill
Indeed it is admitted on all hands, that during
the past year more substantial Improvements
have been made, especially on our streets,
than in any one preceding year, and with a
degree of economy that is in the highest de
gree crcdiable 10 our city administration
There IS also admitted TO be especial credit
due our city authorities for the sklllfu man.
ner in which, during the past year. the dell
cate and difficult tramp question has been
managed in Ottawa, so that while other cities
have been overburdened and almost in despair
over the evil, Ottawa has scarcely been con-
scious OF its existence.
But there are strong special reasons just
now why it would be exceedingly bad policy
for Ottawa TO make a change III the office Of
Mayor. The city is engaged in highly i'm
portant litigation in connection with certain
bonds the legality Of which it has been decided
to test in the courts. Mayor Nicholson, with
suitable legal aid, has been placed in charge
of these suits and is familiar with them in all
their details. Ip view of their importance, 1t
would be ruinous to the interests of the city,
whoever our mayor may be, If he was not a
lawyer or familiar with the ms and outs of
legal proceedings. We have no lawyer thai,
is willing to take charge of the office of Mayor
and the responsibilities that rest upon 1t, more
competent than Mayor Nicholson. Under the
circumstances it is obvious that it would be
ruinous "to swap horses while crossing the
river" We take it for granted, therefore,
that:Mr. Nicholson will be permitted to walk
over the course for Mayor without opposition.
Within week of the election, at least, we
have heard of no other candidate.
As to minor offices, we see the names of Asa
Hoffman, Nicholas Downey, A. Nitschelm,
and Patrick Feehan mentioned for collector
In reference to the first named the Republican
SAYS: "Mr. Hoffman is a skilled and accurate
accountant and reliable man, and, if elected,
will make an excellent officer" 1t Is not
questioned, however, but that either of the 9th.
ers would make good enough collector
As to Alderman John w. Kelly, who has
filled the office very acceptably during the past
two years, is a candidate IN the 1st ward, OPT
posed by G. H. West, former alderman of the
ward.
In the I'd Ward the opposing candidates
will probably be II. c. Furness and LothropI
Perkins.
In the third ward John Leonard, the present
incumbent, having served very acceptably asks
reelection, while Mr., JOS. Megaiiin will OPP
pose him as temperance candidate.
In the 4th ward Thos. ID. Catlin and john
Heating are opposing candidates.
In the 9TH ward the fight as 1t now stands,
is between 0. W. Huff and Thos OMeara.
In the 9th ward Alfred White will probably
have no opposition
And the same will doubtless be true of B. B.
Griffith, in the It'll ward-one of the best al.
dermen on the board.
PS. Late yesterday, after the above was
written, we were shown paper signed by a
number of citizens addressed to r. d. Catlin,
ESQ., asking HIM to become a candidate for
mayor. Wcare not advised, however, whether
Mr. Catlrn responds favorabiy to the call
or not.
Following is the paper
To Nix. T. d. CATLIN-We, the undersigned, |
that the best interests of this city would
be benefited by having you accept the position Of
Mayor for the ensuing year, would most earnestly
that you consent TO the use OF your name
for that position at the coming municipal cleo
ton. (signed by 6. 7. Penny, J. P, Carson,
Geo. n. Cash, W. W. Harden, j. Buffers, &. c.
Carpenter, W. H. Hull, F. A, Kendall, George
Bennett W. S. Bell Scott Bros, F. l.. Fiske,
Geo. ii. Rugg, {. II. Cowles, w. II. Phillips X.
II. Trask, K. +. Dyer, j. w. McMullen, John
Druitt, j. Sample, II. c. Strawn, l. II. r'reden-
burgh, {. d. Trmble, II. i. Boltwood, II. 4.
Butler, j. r. Cameron, A. F. Thompson, J. X.
Meigs, +. b. Griffith, James Baker, G. p Rugg,
Vim. Donahue, p A. Fitzgerald, s. w. Porter, 3.
Zimerman, X. W, Buchanan, Jno. Flanagan, j.
+. Nash, $. =. Couch, A. Hamilton, j. L. Porter,
W. Chandler, J. A. Shuler, &. w. Roberts, d.
Roberts, II. l.. lossack, j. c. Hathaway, j: II.
Wdmcr, J. o. Harris, c. NJ Shaw, Il. F. Bos.
worth, ID. H. Todd, G.. II. Gilman, A. &. Lock
wood, Thos. Spencer, s. f. Dewey, Geo. Beatty,
NJ, Hanifan, w. X. Yentzer, c. l.. Ballard, A. f. |
n T. phillipa u A Hall |