The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-13
TODAY'S PRIMARIES.
A Heavy Vote Being Cast in the
SnOWStorm.

The vote will be light, though it will
be heavy for such a stormy day. In
many of the polling places long lines of
men were waiting to cast their votes
when the polls opened at 1 q. M The
thing opened as if this will be a very
lively primary, but in a stormy day the
heavy vote is always cast first, while
holds good.
The center of interest is in the fight
for the nomination for mayor. Every
conveyance in the city has been en-
gagged, and either one side or the other
will invite every one in the city who
shows any inclination to vote.
Every ward worker in the city is busy
and the forces on both sides are well
organized. and the battle is bitter one.
The crowd around the polling places is
unusually large and nearly all are la
boring in the interest of some candi-
date.
It is assumed that the bad weather
will initiate in favor of the Hibben
forces. The workers will get out their
friends. but the Indifferent business man
will not take the trouble to vote.
1t is admitted by both sides that the
greatest Hibben strength will come
from the First and Second wards Some
of the Fellows supporters admitted a,
few days ago that Hibben would carry
the First ward, but it is considered a de-
batable ground by many of the Fellows
workers, and no point is being neglect
The Fifth ward is also a strong Hib-
ben ward, though both sides are fight
ing hard for every inch of ground. The
Hibben men admit that Fellows will
carry the Fourth ward and say the
Third will be close
Fellows and his supporters do not adj
nit that they will lose more than one
ward. They appear perfectly confident
that Mayor Fellows will be renominat-
ed, but are losing no time or available
votes. The Fellows support made the
1icfea of
ment early in the campaign, but dur
ing the last two weeks they have made
ZIP for lost time.
the people are voting. One man who is
watching a polling place in the Third
use talking. No one knows how the peo-
pie are voting. They come here and get
a ticket and then vote it and very few
who come will listen to advice 1t is my
opinion that there are a few surprises 10
be taken out of the ballot boxes tonight.
The people act very much like they did
last fall when no one knew how they were
The crowds around the polling places
are orderly and up to o'clock no dis
turbances had been reported. A police
man is stationed at each voting place to
preserve order but they are rather more
ornamental than useful.
The contest outside of the fight may
or which is attracting the most interest
is the fight for the three positions of
justices of the peace. There are seven
candidates and all are working hard
In the Second ward considerable ex-
citement has been worked up over the
fight on councilman. There are six can
didates and none of them are leaving any
stones unturned to secure the nomination.
In the Third ward there are two candi-
dates for councilman and the supporters
of both men claim the nomination
The city clerk contest is most exciting.
1t is admitted that the choice will be
between s. s -dcFadden, the present city
ceIrk, and S G Garrard, though there
are two other candidates.
Though the Australian ballot was adopt
ed the rules requiring the workers to keep
100 feet away from the polling places is
not adhered to and men with hands fun
of tickets crowd the prospective voter on
to the ballot box.
1t will be late tonight before anything
decisive will be heard. The Republican
city central committee has engaged the
Flambeau club rooms over the Wiggin-
Harding store where the returns will be
received and tabulated but it is doubtful
if much will be known about the result
before midnight