The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-10
DOWNED THE PARTIES.
Municipal Elections in Massa-
chuSetts Afford Many
Surprises.

Boston, Mass, Dec. 1O.-In seventeen
cities of the commonwealth Tuesday mu-
nicipal contests were waged. When the
smoke of battle cleared away it was found
that several new mayors had been chosen.
The sentiment in favor of non-partisan>
ship in municipal affairs accounts in a
number of cases for the defeat of straight
party candidates This was particularly
in evidence in Somerville, where Mayor
Perry scored a victory for the third time.
He was elected mayor over his popular
Republican opponent, Representative F.
F. Phillips, by majority of 1929 votes.
He was the candidate of the Citizens
party and Municipal league. During the
campaign the interest was intense.
Waltham rose to a full realization of
non-partisan municipal government, Civ
ing to George L. AIayberry, who repre-
sented that idea in the campaign, a ma
jority over both the Republican and Dem
ocratic candidates.
But the result upon which the friends
of good government have most reason to
felicitate themselves is that in the city of
Lawrence. Municipal administration for
several years has been far from satisfac-
tory in that city. The citizens became
disgusted and felt Inundated, disposed to
this year took the remedy into their own
hands by the early formation of what
was known as the Good Government
association which paid no regard to
party lines.
This organization did something more
than to protest; it acted, and acted
promptly, nominating a ticket of its own.
with Mr.. J. H. Eaton, one of the city's
most trusted citizens and business men,
would not have accepted nomination by
either party. but he accepted this. The
Republican organization indorsed his NOM
ination and also two of the associations
candidates for aldermen, and these are all
the aldermen that show to it's credit in
the election.
Davis, nOn-partisan candidate in Glou-
cester, won out for mayor by a plurality
of "A over the combined Democratic and
Republican tickets.
Mayor John E. Farnham was reelected
mayor of Maiden. The Maldenites de-
feated Dana ]. Flanders of the Boston &
Maine railroad, but it was probably the
most amiable defeat in the whole cate
CORY. Few men in his home city are more
personally popular highly respected
than he, but the people of Maiden wanted
certain changes of grade hurried up and
they seemed to question whether the best
choose for their executive officer Of
the corporation out of whose treasury the
work must be in part paid for. and for
this reason, doubtless, some of his best
friends voted against him.
In New Bedford the whaIers cast aside
the partisan idea altogether. The spec
tacle was presented of two citizens tick
cts opposing each other. In Fitchburg it
was the same thing.
Party lines mean little in the Massachu-
setts cities outside of Boston, and even
in this city of sharp, hard contests the
leaven is working. 1t is difficult to fore
cast the result but Mayor Quincy has
excellent chance for reelection despite
the fact that last month Governor VOL
colts (Republiean) majority in this city
was nearly 609o.
A big independent vote is likely to be
cast for the nominally Democratic candi-
date and many staIwart Republicans are
supporting him on local issues solely.