The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-04

The sensation of the day in political
circles yesterday was the withdrawal of
David r. O'Connel, ono of the numer-
Gus candidates for aldermen in ward
Coming as it did when matters were
just beginning to get settled down to
the coming contest, Mr.. O'ConnelPs
action created no little stir in political
circles, and for d time democrats and
republicans alike hardly knew where
they were at The move gave rise to
various reports, and for a time Dame
Rumor was kept ON the go. One re-
port had it that the Ratchet had been
buried, that old scores had been wiped
of the democratic slate and that Mel
len and the democrats would be elect
ed.
On the face of things this report was
not founded on fact. and it did not take
long TO run it to earth and to ascertain
That the real reason for Mr.. O'ConnelPs
action was his desire not to appear be-
FORE the voters Of Worcester in the light
OF an Office grabber. Mr. O'ConnelTs
Well-knoWn love for Mellen is no
stronger now than it was many moons
ago and his real reason for getting out
Of the fight was that he did not wish
to be classed with the aldermanic own
er Of everything in sight
Before the convention Mr. O'Connell
expressed a desire to withdraw from
the contest, realizing that with so many
candidates in the field from ward A. the
voters would become preiudiced against
the ward and its interests would suffer.
HIS friends would not listen to his
WlthdraWal however and insisted upon
ms standing for nomination. When his
name was presented in the convention
he asked leave to withdraw it. but many
Of the delegates present insisted upon
It's use and he was nominated by a
handsome margin. Since then he has
laid the matter before his friends, but
to no purpose and all supposed that he
would run. His withdrawal came as a
surprise to his friends and enemies
alike.
Mr.. O'Connells formal letter Of de-
clinatlon, which was filed with the city
clerk yesterday, was as follows:
Worcester, Mass, Dec. . 1898
10 2,, D. II. Towne, Esq, City Clerk, City of
Dear sir--Haying been nominated as
candidate for alderman for ward 4 in said
city by the democratic convention held
November 3d. 1898, l hereby request that
my name be withdrawn from nomination
David f. OConnell,
Worcester. SIS. Dec .. 1898.
Personally appeared the above named
David f. O'Connell and acknowledged the
fore me.
John H. Meagher,
Justice of the Peace.
When seen in regard to his action.
Mr. O'COnnell said that he had de-
cided to withdraw for several reasons,
among them being the fact that he had
assured Phillip J. OConnen that ne
would not be a candidate for re-elec-
ton, and his need of more time to
devote to his business. He said that
he had asked his friends not to vote
for him. and that having held the Of
flee of alderman for three years. he
considered some other man entitled to
it this year
Mr.. O'COnnell's withdrawal was we'll
timed, and at the meeting of the DEM
ocratic committee of IS last night.
steps We're Immediately taken to fiji
the vacancy caused by Mr. OConnell' q
withdrawal Only u Of the IS members
of the joint committee We're present.
The chairman of the city committee
presided, and Captain Churchill, the
mayoralty nominee, was present Az
ter the situation had been stated. the
name of John Gray of ward was
placed in nomination by John Cavan-
augh. He paid a warm tribute to Mr..
Gray's ability, and told of the work
he has done for the party in the past.
In the last state election $40 democratic
votes were polled in the ward, and this
year Thayer received 500 votes, while
Bruce received 312. These showines
We're placed largely to the credit Of
Mr.. Gray.
Lawyer John 3. Ratigan was then
placed in nomination by r. H. Hall.
Mr.. Hall referred to Mr. Ratigan as be-
ing thorough democrat and an earn
est, faithful worker. Votes were then
called for. the same style of ballots as
We're used at the city. convention be-
ing used The vote resulted in q tie,
both candidates receiving six votes. A
roll call was then suggested, but was
not regarded faVorably A motion to
postpone action until Monday neon also
vote was taken, resulting in q vote of
to 5 for Mr.. Gray, and he was de-
clared the nominee of the meeting.
Mr.. Gray is the foreman dyer of the
Worcester Bleach & Dye Works, and is
a well-known democrat He is a mem
Der of the Young Mems Democratic
Club and Of the Vernon Cycle Club.
At the close of the meeting he told The
Spy man that although he was fully
aware that his name was to be placed
in nomination, his nomination was
something of a surprise to him He was
confident of being able to poll a large
vote, and expressed himself as pre-
pared to put up a big hustle.