The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-29
A Very Pretty Flight Is Anticipated In the
May Elections.
A NUMBER OF GOOD NAMES PROPOSED
Sterling Citizens for tho Councils
Three Candidates Mentioned for
Mayor-City Coilcctor-City SER
ge"nt-street Inspector-superin
aendent OF Cemeteries.


President next May, but she viii have
almost, If not quite, as much fun, for the
people are going to see one of the pref
TEST fights for city offices ever put
UP here.
The struggle, of course, will be in the
primary, for nomination Is equivalent
to an election. 1t is improbable that the
Republicans will do anything beyond
putting forward some candidates for
Councilmen. Here Is where they ex-
pect to contest every inch of ground
and some hard work is looked for in
the Fourth Ward.
The office of Councilman is one of the
most important in the gift of the people
II seems especially so in this city, which
is inaugurating so many Innovations
ana growing so rapidly in all direc tons
As recent years have shown, members
OF the Norfolk City Councils have haA
something more to do than approve
bills and keep up with the ordinary rou-
tine Of municipal life. There have been
franchises far-reaching in their effect
to be considered and acted upon, i'm
portant questions OF taxation, of i'm
provements in the various departments
particularly the wafer and fire depart
questions the deciding of which
will have its effect upon future gene
rattions.
Some of these questions have already
been settled, some are pending and
others have yet to come up. The people
are becoming more and more convinced
Of the necessity of sending good, intelli-
gent and patriotic men to represent
them in this branch of the city govern
mcnt. AS yet there has been no inu-
nation as ito who the candidates will
be. Probably large percentage Of tho
old members Will try again, and there
will be many new names
Who will be the new Mayor? He will
probably be one of the present Police
Commissioners, as IL is pretty we'll I'M
derstood thi't all of them intend maxi
ing the race. The present umbe nts,
Hon. w. II. Mayo, Mr.. George II. Dawes
and Mr.. c. Brooks Johnston, are gentle
men who have been prominent in Demo-
cratic politics and done signal service
for the panty. There is, however. not a
small chance that 4 fourth candidate
may announce himself.
Up to the present there has been no
intimation that Mr.. J. +. Lawler will
meet with opposition for reelection as
City Sergeant, though of course it is
yet too early in the season to make any
prediction along this line.
For City Collector four names have
been mentioned Messrs. w. L. Baker,
the present Incumbent; George w. Pol
lard. James 4. Reid and w. T. Allen,
all strong men, with large followings
SO far but two prospective candidates
for Street Inspector have been heard
from-the present Inspector Mr.. w. J..
Butt, and Mr.. Robert H. Lee, who wa y
formerly Assistant Street Inspector. He
comes from BrambeIton Ward and has
many friends.
Mr.. J. NJ. Brougton will ask for re-
al
ries. Mr.. G. c. Lee, X is said, will also
try for this position.
The present Keeper of the Aims
house. Mr.. p. NJ. A1ordecai. also wants
.the job again. and It is said so does Mr.
]. T. Parr who once held the office.
There is no election this spring for
Commissioner of Revenue, Clerk of the
Courts and City Treasurer.
The Police Justice 10 elected by the
Councils. So far there has been no men
ton Of any one for the position eXcep;
Capt. r. w. Tomlin. the present in
cumbent. His chances, of course, will
depend largely upon the contingency
of some one else offering himself for
the place. 1t is the general impression
among all classes. white black, yellow,
Democrats and Republicans. that Capt
T0mlin has made an admirable Police
Justice, and he Ia y made many friends
and admirers since he has been in Office
Whoever goes up against him will have
a big job on his hands
The Washington special in yeste days
Richmond Times says: "Mr. George e.
Bowden had a talk with The President
yesterday, and ii is understood that he
applied for the Office of Collector of Port
of Norfolk now filled by NJ Shields
1t goes without saying that he will get
the appointment. The place pays
SO, $780,