The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-15
HLD. BIGELOW BUSY
HAS BEGUN A HUSTLE FOR THE
PRESIDENCY OF THE
BOARD,
WHEN MARKHAM STEPS OUT.
AID. DONAHOWER, HOWEVER, is
LOOKING FOR THE SAME PLACE
HIMSELF.
WILL FURNISH EXPERIENCE.
The Fourth Ward Representative
Denies That He Is Grooming
Himself for the MayOralty.

Aid Bigelow is quietly tipping it off
to his friends that he is to succeed
Aid. Markham as president of the
board of aldermen. Although it is
nearly two months before President
Markham will step from the position
as presiding officer of the aldermanic
body to the office of corporation attor-
ney, the wires are being laid which
will place Aid Bigelow in the posi-
ton. The Fifth ward alderman made
such hit at the last election with the
voters of the ward which he repre-
sents that he has an idea that he is
destined for future political honors.
There is a chance, however, that Mr..
Bigelow may fall down in his calcula-
tions and not secure the prize. The
only opponent to Mr.. BigeloW men
toned 50 far is Aid. Donahower, of
the Fourth ward. While the Fourth
ward alderman is not making any pre-
dictions as to whether he will be the
choice of the members for the place,
his friends, both in and out Of the
council, are confident that he has
fighting chance. The position Of pre-
siding officer Of the aldermanic body is
The incumbent is not weighted down
with committee work, although he has
the selection of all the committees.
Another thing that makes the posi-
ton one of special attraction is that in
case of the absence of the mayor from
the city, or his inability to attend to
the duties Of the office, the president
of the board of aldermen becomes the
acting mayor Of the city. This may
be one reason for the candidacy of
Aid. DOnahower as presiding officer In
the board of aldermen, for it is limited
that Mr.. DonahoWer has aspirations
for the mayoralty nomination in the
spring of 1898, and any experience he
could gain as acting mayor would be
of use to him in the future. Mr.. Dona>
hover, however, mOdestly denies that
he has any thought or desire of being
a candidate for mayor, and says the
story to this effect is being whispered
about with the expectation that 1t
will arouse Mayor Doran to take
hand in the battle for presiding officer
and use his influence for Bigelow.
The members Of the board when
questioned as to their choice for
presiding officer, denied that they had
given the matter any thought, ma
JOrity of the aldermen stating that 1t
was too far off for any predictions to
be made as to who would be the mem
Der to succeed Aid Markham. The
friends of both contestants are how
ever, doing considerable hustling and it
is possible that the decisive vote will
be cast by the representative from the
Seventh ward who will take the place
of Aid Markham. Just who will be
CHOSEN to fill out the uneXpired term,
should Aid. Markham get the cOrpOr-
alton attorney plum, is a question. Mr..
Markham, when asked about the mat
ter last evening, said the Seventh
warders valued the services of their
representative too highly to even dis
cuss such a proposition until the vac
ancy occurred. From other sources it
was learned that Freddy Bryant, the
distinguished politician and head push
Ell of the Lincoln club, is making a
still hunt for the vacant chair in
case there is to be one. All this, how
ever, depends on Aid. Markham being
elected to the office of corporation at
torney, and it might happen that some
one other than the gentleman named
would squeeze in, although it does not
lCok possible.