The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-08
THE CHICAGO ELECTIONS.
Decidedly Compi Gated Struggle in the
Windy City.

Windy City.
CHICAGO, April 6.-The election tomor-
row will close one of the most peculiar
and hotly contested municipal campaigns
in this city. No less than five candidates
are making the contest for the mayoralty
and, as between four OF these, it is i'm
possible to forecast the result. The friends
of each in all apparant candor claim about
the same number of votes VIZ: $1,000
to 60000 for their respective favorites, and
each party has so much confidence in its
summary OF the complicated elements
which enter into the struggle that consid-
erable money has been wagered on each
candidate.
The first candidate in the field was FL
mer Washburn, ex-chief of police of Chi
cagO and ex-chief of the United States Sc
cret service bureau. He was put in nomi-
nation prior 10 the holding of the regular
party conventions ostensibly by an inde-
pendent citizens movement, but it is un-
drrstood his chief support, primarily,
came from a secret organization whose OBJ
ject is TO minimize the influence of the for
eign elements in the city administration,
and which claims TO have 25.000 voters en-
rolled IN its ranks. Its platform, as con-
densed IN Its campaign announcements. is
the physical and moral cleansing OF the
city. The argument made in favor of its
candidate is the necessity, in view of the
approach of the worlds fair, of putting
the city into such a condition, as TO clean
streets that visitors from well-kept cities
in Europe vii! not be shocked, and 10 rem
der the police force so efficient that
thieves. gamblers and other criminal
classes will not dare to flock to the city in
anticipation OF reaping a rich harvest. To
this end. also, it is promised that the sa-
looms shall be more vigorously looked after.
There are two democratic candidates,
Dewitt Cregier, the present incumbent,
and Carter III. Harrison, who has served
several terms as mayor. Some time be-
fore the democratic nominating conven-
ton was held Mr.. Harrison began his can
vasS for the nOmiu alton, alleging weakness
and a catering to the bad element on the
part OF the existing administration and
promising reforms in these directions.
When the convention met the Harrison
delegates accused their opponents of fraud,
withdrew from the convention and nOmi-
mated their favorite. while tine others
nominated Cregier. Each claimed to be
the regular democratic nominee; the
state central committee took the matter
up and decided that Cregier was regularly
nominated. In the meantime Harrison
had received the Endorsement of the Per-
sonal Rights league, a body made up
largely of Germans, so he continued in
the field and has been making a pic
turesque personal canvass.
Then the republican convention met
and nominated Hampstead Washburne,
son OF the late Elihu B. Washburne, the
L. ,. minister to France during the Franco
Prussian war. He is running on a plat
form which promises the application OF
business methods to the administration OF
city affairs and the enforcement of the
police force from politics.
The fifth candidate is Thomas Morgan,
the nominee of the socialisuc labor party.
The fight between the two factions of
the democratic party is particularly bitter,
and tine state organization is taking an
earnest interest in it because OF its possi-
bic effect in the state at large in the next
general election. The example of the l0l
democrats in the state legislature who
stood without wGvering through over $50
ballots and finally elected Gen. John NJ
Palmer TO the L. s. senate is being held
up to the Chicago democracy for imita-
ton, and Senator Palmer, Governor Peck
OF Wisconsin, and other prominent demo-
Gratis have been called here 10 help make
the campaign on behalf of Creg,er.
1t is decidedly complicated struggle
in which each of the four leading candi-
dates has elements oil great strength. and
the most expert, unprejudiced political
prOgnosticators are unable 10 forecast the
outcome with any degree of certainty
The betting today at a prominent down
town political resort was as follows: 500
to $50 that Hampstead Washburne will get
more votes than Cregier; even money
that Harrison will get more votes than
Cregier; 500 to So that Elmer Wash
burn will not poll 10000 votes. 1t is re-
ported that one bet OF 100 to $500 that
Hampstead Washburne will be elected
WAS made