Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1898-04-07
As Mayor Of jamestown Over
Bailey Fuller-Business
Men Won.
A Non-PartiSan Campaign on
the Still Hunt PIan-MeritS
of Candidates,
We're the Only Issues Involved
"A Close ConteSt-Durkee
.... ForiTreasurer.

The city election yesterday closed
period Of apparaut quietude in city poll
tics on the surface and sn active hustle
beneath 1t. Alfred Steel, the insurance
and real estate man, was elected mayor
over the present incumbent, Mr.. Fuller,
by II votes. The result, while close,
fairly expresses the choice Of the voters.
There we're few side issues employed
to divert attention and little political
feeling reused as both candidates we're
republicans. This simplified the issues
and left the choice to be considered on
purely local issues.
Mr.. Steel, as was we'll kown, became
the candidate of a considerable number
of business men and others, with great
reluctance. He did not seek the office
for any purpose and only consented to
be candidate after an unusual express
sion of confidence and at the request of
friends whose wishes he stated, be did
not care to ignore. He announced this
in letter Of acceptance and also that
no promises OF any kind would be made
as to rewards for services in his election.
He thus gave up all the advantages
of what ever patronage there
might be IN accord with belief that
elections should be conducted in that
way. Without using any of the usual
election artlfces, or asking the suffrages
of voters he went before the people, and
the result speaks for itself. Mr.. Steel's
friends interested themselves in his elec-
ton and appealed to the voter to stand
by the the candidate whose recommend
atoms for public official were we'll
known to all residents. A majority did
so and in the protection OF the secret
vate sentiment and judgment dictated
without regard to any other influences.
It was highly plimentary occasion
for Mr.. Steel and source OF great salts
faction to his friends As mayor for the
next two years jamestown will have
careful, conscientious official, who will
treat all persons and interests fairly land
it is believed the voters will have no re-
gret over their choice.
1t is due to Mr.. Fuller to say that bis
administration has been conducted with
bis usual good business sagacity, and
that the laws have been enforced as we'll
as by sny predecessor.
The election of j. B. Durkee, the
popular manager of the Western Union
Telegraph Office, was something of q
surprise as his contestant, was veteran
vote 9etter. Mr.. Durkee made q
straight out canvass and satisfied the
voters that the clty funds in his charge
would be all right.
Orin Churchill, the we'll known
merchant, ran ahead Of general merchant
Andrew Haas in the aldermsnship race
in the 4th ward. This was Mr..
Churchill's first introduction into city
politics and his friends thought it
good opportunity to get the benefit OF
his advise and business qualification for
the CITY. The contest was close.
E. D. Strong had plenty OF fun in the
Second ward in seeing the other fellow
win. Dave Wood Of the N. P. got
under the wire on fast special and Mr..
Strong came along-later. 1t was his
first entrance to the political arena and
the result Of being sacrificed on the
altar Of his country Is taken cheerfully
and with all phIlosophically.
In the First ward Mr.. Tsber, who was
IN Pingree during the day, let Mr..
Gieseler get Is majority, for alderman,
and in the 3rd ward J. A. Halstead and
Sam Wilder were elected.
The vote was tho heaviest ever cast
for mayor, exceeding the vote for COVER.
nor IN the city two years ago, but falling
slightly under the vote for president OF
that year. The forenoon showed light
vote in all parts OF the city and as
peoially in the second and third wards
that polled nearly seventy per cent OF
the vote 10 the hours between 2 and 4p.
N. The peculiar feature of the day,
however, was the large number OF votes
cast by voters whoee names we're un-
registered. The number of votes sworn
in in the different wards was as follows:
First Is. Second 26, Third 5 and Fourth
%. Some ct these voters we're known
we'll but others said not to be. The
reason for the swearing in Of many votes
was the changing Of residence from one