Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-01
WOULDN'T STOP FOR SUNDAY
Politics Hold Sway All Over the City
Despite the Sabbath.
WARM CLOSE TO A QUIET CAMPAIGN
Pnrtisnns Put I'm the Day Making
Votes and Laying Plans for
Carrying Everything Mt
Todny's Election.

All of the candidates for alderman went
to church yesterday with the exception of
l.. A. Devine fusion nominee for alderman
at-large. He was confined to his home by
Illness and was obliged by force of cir
cumstances to content himself by writing
few letters to his friends, asking them
to correct stories that were said to have
been circulated on the previous afternoon.
The devotlons of the other candidates were
somewhat mixed with thoughts of the NOR
row, and in some cases with real orthodox
political discussions.
The campaign has gained in earnestness
On the last days what 1t has lacked in ac-
tiyity from the start and no voter yes
terday had any occasion for declaring that
he did not know an election campaign was
drawing to a close. While all of the dis
cussion and electioneerng was of that
friendly character that has marked the con-
test from the beginning, it lacked nothing
in vigor and intensity. The fusion candi-
dates realize the burdens they have to carry
and have gone in to win. There has been
singular freedom from the usual charges
OF bribery and improper use of money, but
1t was ascertained that the fusionists yes
terday prepared what they believed to be a
coup by secretly contracting with all of the
hackmen in the city for the use of their
vehicles to carry indolent voters to the polls
today. 1t was also reported last evening
that they had engaged both of the bands
in the city to furnish music at the celebra-
tlch contemplated If the returns look favor
able to demo-pOpulistic success at 10 o'clock.
The principals and friends and some of
the participants in the cock fight that was
prevented by the police Saturday night an
nounced yesterday with good deal of vim
dictiveness that the interference of the po-
lice with their sport would be the means
of defeating all Of the republican candi-
dates. Every one of them soemnly ayerred
that he would vote the fusion ticket and get
men into the council who would not toler-
ate police interference with cock fighting.
1t is scarcely probable, however, that their
declarations will be- taken as binding on the
democratic candidates, but there may be
scme foundation for their assertion that
every breeder of game cocks will vote to
express his aggreved feelings Jack Whit
taker and Jim Coyle, arrested at the cock
ing main in Coyle's saloon Saturday night,
are leading the revolt of the cock-fghters
BETWEEN CLEAN MEN.
The chief contest among the candidates
is between Z. L. Sayles the republican
nominee, and L. a. Devine, the fusion as
pirant for alderman-at-large. Both are we'll
known and old citizens and good, clean
men. Mr. Sayles has the advantage of De-
vine in the length of his residence in the
c1ty and unswerving fidelity to his party.
He has been a citizen of Council Bluffs
for many years and conscientious repub-
llcan all of his life. Mr.. Devine has not
been so consistent in his political record,
and last year went astray and with un-
bounded enthusiasm followed the free sill
verltes He was making strong denals yes
terday of story that was said to be going
the rounds that he had discharged man
engaged in painting his house last fall be-
cause he would not agree to vote for Mr..
Bryan Mr.. Devine positively denies this
and declares that he discharged the painter
because he was soldering" Both men
nave made strong, honorable canvass and
no Misrepresentation have been encour-
aged. Either would be desirable man in
the council, Mr.. Sayles the more so, largely
for the reason that he has more time ta
devote to the cty's business and will per-
nit no private business to interfere with the
full discharge OF all of his duties to the
city He is bright, strong, clean man,
with no political axes to grind and no per-
sonal promises to redeem.
CONTESTS IN THE WARDS.
Great interest centers in the contest in
the Third ward, where Thomas Metcalf rep
resents the conservative business interests
ana the republican party. 1t is generally
conceded that he will carry his ward by the
largest republican majority in recent years
In the Fourth ward there are some ele-
ments OF uncertainty. J. B. Atkins, one of
tne oldest business men in the city and a
man with hosts of friends, is the fusion
candidate Mr.. Atkins has always been a
sound republican until he went astray on
tho silver question. He is opposed by w.
II. kimball, vigorous young man who
came into the city number of years ago
and established large foundry and ma
chlne shop which he has operated at a profit
throughout the dull times. He is a good
business man and good republican.
The Sixth ward belongs to Alderman Shu-
bert, and he will not permit any discussion
of the probability of his opponent getting
enough OF the votes to be in it, Mr. Bower
the fusion nominee, is bright young man,
however, and will be heard from. For sew
eral years he has been living in Council
BUNS while working in the office of the