Great Falls weekly tribune., 1896-03-13
ABOUT The CITY ELECTION
There Will Be Only Four Aldermen
to Elect-Little Iaterest Taken
SO Far.
Gossip About the Candidates For Al.
dermen IN the Several
Wards.

In little more than three weeks from
today Great Falls will have city elec
ton. There has not been very much
talk about the coming city election, as
there are no fat offices to be bestowed by
the people on patriotic and popular citi-
zens. In fact, there are only four seats
in the city council to fill at the coming
election, and as the maximum compen-
sation, under the new codes, for alder
men of cities of the second class is Sc per
month, there is no mad rush to secure
the positions which will be made vacant
by the retirement of Aldermen Young,
Fitzgerald, Williams and Mcdonald.
Nevertheless, there are not signs want
ing that Barkis will be found by the
time the caucuses are held in the several
wards. The republicans will probably
nominate straight party ticket in each
of the wards. Two republicans hold
over and they hope to capture the cleo
tion in enough of the wards to give them
a party majority in the council.
There is some disposition on the part
OF leading democrats and populists to re-
frain from nominating straight party
tickets and unite in supporting cit.
zens' ticket, but it is not certain that
this will be done. Party ties sit
rather lightly on the majority of voters
in municipal election these days in
Great Falle, and it is largely question
OF who the candidates are and what con-
tidence the public have in their personal
character that will influence the result
when the votes are counted,
Dlllgent inquiry among those who are
supposed to know what is going on in
politics failed to reveal any active candi
dates for the four positions in the coun-
Gil. The following names were "men-
toned to TRIBUNE reporter as having
been suggested for the positions in the
several wards. In a number of instances
the parties mentioned stated that the
suggestion of their names was without
their authority:
In the First ward, Alderman Fitzger-
aid will, without doubt, be nominated on
the democratic ticket in this ward.
There seems to be little, if any, opposi-
tion to him, as the ward is democratic,
usually. The only name mentioned on
any other ticket is that of J. E. Bush,
and there seems to be some doubt as to
whether he could be induced to run.
In the Second ward Aid. Williams is
being urged to accept denomination,
although be has not so far announced
definite decision. If Williams should
decline j. G. G. Thompson's name has
been favorahly mentioned by many
democrats. The names of DR.. Crutcher
and h Dillebaugh are also heard in con
nection with the office. AS the West
side is in this ward and the East side is
already represented by Aid. Fletcher,
who hous over, II is generally conceded
that the new alderman will come from
the West side.
In the Third ward the names of f. V.
Rubottom, ex-Aid. Sullivan. and 7. W.
Thrashcr are spoken of by republicans.
.. NJ. Holmes and James Donovan have
also been suggested.
The democrats so far seem to have no
candidate in this ward, as Archie Nc
Donald will not run again.
The Fourth ward will have no difficulty
as several gentlemen are already avowed
candidates. Aid Iourg will ask for in
dorsement at the hands Of his constitu-
ents and will likely receive the republi-
can nomination, as he is strong with the
smelter men, many Of whom reside in
this ward. The names of G. r. Grove
and Ira Hickory have also been men
toned in connection with the republican
nomination. However, J. j. Mcdonald,
a we'll known and popular emelterman,
has been spoken of by several democrats
as man who could be elected in this
ward.