Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-04-07
Tie ASSN the Lions skin.

age Democratic wire puller, 1t cannot be
said that he wastes much time in sleep
when thereis campaign work to be done.
This was fully illustrated in the late
city election. 1t was generally con.
ceded by all that the old board Of alder
men, the mayor and other city officials
who for the past aYe months hays
labored hard to get the municipal gov
ernmental machinery in motion-and
with q fiattering degree Of success
should be reelected in order that they
might continue the work Of improve
ment and properly apply tho proceeds Of
the artesian we'll and city hall bonds.
This feeling seemed to be 30 prevalent
that q party skirmish was not dreamed
of. Nevertheless, the Democratic feder-
81 Office holders. the Golden club editor
ofthe News and the ostensible proprietor
Of that sheet were burning midnight
oil during several evenings prior to the
caucuses of Saturday and deyising
ways and means whereby they might
capture the city government for, their
party. There was a tacit understanding
among ell men who regarded the good Of
the city IS above the success of party
that tho caucus shon1d DO nonpartisan,
aud that tho best men should be chosen,
but the Democratic wire pullers laid
their plans to get possession and control.
When the cicizens caucus convened ct
the engine house Saturday evening the
wire pullers were full OF confidence.
They we're there disguised a. .cltizens,'
but the tail Of the ass was plainly to be
seen %protruding from beneath the lions
skin. The land Office gang held the
party club high in the dir; the Golden
club editor was to do the fine parliament
tary work and the ostensible proprietor
with the carmine foretop was to sec
ond the motion. The engine house
was crowded. A motion to 60 to the
court house was voted down. Then
came the work of making the nomi-
nations. Jas. F. O'Brien was selected by
his STOOL friends'' as the person to be
sacrificed. It was not the first time that
Jim had been offered up a. q sacrifice,
Again he raw the finger Of fate pointing
right at hlm, but he couldn't stop hii
"fool friends" The present mayor was
then nominated for recollection, and
upon q division Of the house the little
land office ring was bsaten about four to
one. They used their club vigorously
but couldn't stop the stampede. The
lions skin had been removed. and thu
whole political anatomy, ears 0nd all
was now plainly visible. The nomins'
lions Of Z. Council for treasurer and p
J. McClory for justice 9 made, and
the caucus was about to. dissolve wher
the ostenslble proprietor commenced to
bray. He called for Reconsideration o.
the vote OF the mayoralty nomination
but he was promptly declared out Of
order.
The little minority then bolted the eau
cua aud held an indignation meeting q
tho bstofice. From there they went t.
the North Shore bank and held q caucus
whore o'Brien was nominated by
scant majority. BY this time the raw
edges Of the land office gang were prett,
I we'll frayed out, and when they came Il
] the polls Monday morning they showe'
!. painful signs Of complete dilapidation.
, The moral. which this experienc
teaches is that it is dangerous for part
politicians to attempt to- capture
citizens caucus. Iflines are to be draw
: due notice of such intention should b
given.