The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-03
COMING CITY ELECTION
largest Vote 10 the History Of
Scrant0a Nill he Cast.
GREAT INTEREST IS AROUSED
Democrats Hard at Work Raising Fund
for Campaign Purposes = The
Kind Of q Fight They
Arc COuductinR. 4

Politics Ia the one eDgrOSSing TOPIC OF
conversation In all public places where
est stranger would know from the fer
vor with which the merits and faults
of the various candidates are discussed
that the people Of this city are on the
eve of an important election.
The battle will be fought to a finish
at the polls two weeks from tomorrow
when more votes will be polled than at
any municipal election in the history
Of the city. Two weeks ago there was
SO much dust in the political atmos-
phere that many men usually Shrewd
In making political forecasts were be-
fuddled and expressed doubt az to the
probable outcome of the struggle. be-
tween the candidates OF the two great
parties that dominate American polit-
ics.
Since then the air has become clarified
and the situation can be plainly de-
scried. After viewing the battle in all
Its phases men who have closely watched
politics In this city for years unhesitat-
ingly predict the election of the candi-
dates on the Republican city ticket by
substantial pluralities. They are all
community and the taxpayers know
that the affairs OF the city will re-
ceive their best and most careful at
tention.
Have Not Decided, They Say.
The Democratic city committee has
organized, but the names of its men,
bers. save those who are on the eXecu-
tive committee. have been thus far re-
ligiously guarded from the public. Of
ficers Of the committee when questioned
say they are not yet prepared to make
known the men who will captain the
Democratic forces In each election dis
trict i'm the city. Neither are they pre-
pared to announce the plan OF CAM
paign that will be followed.
One of the first things the executive
committee did was to appoint solicit
ing committee to procure the sinews Of
war. James G. Bailey consented to ac-
cept the nomination for mayor only af-
ter being positively assured that he
would not be expected to contribute to
a campaign fund. and c. G. Boland.
with memories of the fight of three
years ago before him, also declined to
place q fat bank account at the dis
posal of the committee. Mr.. Robinson.
the candidate for controller. is expected
to contribute literally. He was put on
the ticket for that purpose.
Made Before tho Convention.
Before the Democratic convention
several men who We're formerly iden-
titled with the Republican party prom
ised to contribute to a Democratic cam
paingn fund In the event of an inde-
pendent Republican ticket not being
placed in the field. One of them Spe-
officially stated that ne would give $500
80 the Democrats alleged at the time
to forward the canvass OF James G.
Bailey. During the last week the so.
Letting committee has been hot on the
trail Of the ex-Republicans who prom
Used to contribute money and a good
sized corruption fund has been raised
Every man Of any means hereabouts
who has ever had any Democratic
tendencies has also been asked to con.
tribute to a fund to be used between
now and election day when 1t will dc
the most good" A large part of this
fund will go into the pockets Of certain
ex Republican bosses in exchange fol
their alleged pull with the voters OF
their acquaintance. 1t will be money
wasted as was the money paid by
Democrats for use on the South Side
q year ago last fall and there will be al
much gnashing of teeth as there was or
that occasion when It was found
that the person who received the money
could not deliver the goods.
Campaieu OF vilifisation.
Thus far the Democratic campaign
has been one Of falsehood. false pre-.
tense and vilification. and before cleo
tIOl udy u - OuI TedSOHaUle 10 eXpect
that the slimy, mud singing, lying
campaign, carried on by the officers OF
that party in the fall Of '94 will be out
done.
While the Democratic papers are
bowling about corruption. the party
leaders cease not for moment in their
feverish anxiety to raise large cam
paign fund. Everything pertaining to
the Republican primaries. convention
n nd n hQQ hnpn aiatnnf1N, md
wilfully misrepresented by the editors
Of the local Democratic papers for the
express purpose of deceiving the pub
lie. Relying or the statement of facts
printed in one Of the Democratic papers
concerning the recent primaries the
white winged innocents who are at the
head Of the threatened movement
against vigilance committees waited
upon the young man who wrote the
article and told him that he would be
called az q witness to prove the irregu-
larities he SO minutely described.
They Did Not Want Him.
II don't think you want me as a wit.
ness" replied the bright young man.
why, of course we do" said the per.
son who accosted him. You can swear
| can't you. that you saw various irregu-
larities perpetrated by members OF
vigilance committees"
mo, can't do anything OF the kind "
was the response. Don't you know
that / work on Democratic paper and
that the report was 'colored to make
q good story" 1t Is needless to say
that this particular bright young man
was not subDoenaed.
That's the kind OF fine color work the
Democratic press has been feeding its
patrons on for weeks. lnnuendo. SIAN
der and gross Misrepresentation are the
| levers with which they expect to hoist
| their candidates into office.