The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-23
IT'S DEAD,
The Citizens
Movement.
CANDIDATES SHY
At Bucking the Straight
Republican Line.

Is the citizens party movement dead?
There's not a politician in the city
ready to take his oath that it is or that
it isn't, and every man of the so-caIed
citizens committee who buried Mr.
Searls' mayoralty leanings is willing 10
be searched
When Mr.. SeaFls was forced out of
the mayoralty contest, it was supposed
thai the citizens movement was dead.
but yesterday doubt, deep, dark and
dreadful laid hold upon the minds of
political Worcester.
Is the citizens movement dead?"
politicians asked themselves. The same
question was put 20 himself by The Spy
man, and after a canvass among the
local fountain heads of political in
formation. he reached the conclusion
that the movement is dead, but don't
know it. There is evidence enough to
show that although the citizens move
ment as an organization has been
abandoned in the dissolution of the
committee having in charge the candi-
dacy of Mr.. Searls. still a citizens tick
ct will be placed in the field within
few days, probably after the republican
CaucuSes Saturday night. Beyond all
doubt. the head of this ticket will be
Alderman Burton w. Potter. 1t is
hoped that the ticket will receive the
endorsement of the democrats. and with
looked for detection from the repub
lican ranks it is hoped to defeat Mayor
Dodge.
A story was circulated about the
city yesterday to the effect that Hon.
T. c. Bates had his eye upon the may
orally and would stand as the candi-
l.. IA SC
report was, however. entirely without
foundation, and was Indignantly de-
! MED by Mr.. Bates last evening.
To a Spy man, he said: You can say
for me that any statement TO the eff
feet that I am a candidate for mayor
is entirely incorrect. l have no as
piration toward the office and am in
no way identified With tEis movement
to Gust Mayor Dodge.
He has worked faithfully and honest
/ ~, and I believe he has made a good
mayor. / consider him entitled to re-
1 election. 1 have authorized no
/ one to use my name in connection with
| this movement and you can not put il
/ too strongly in saying that 1 have Moth
ing whatever to do with it.
Alderman Burton W. Potter the
probable head of the new ticket was
seen yesterday by The Spy man. Mr.
Potter was not very communicative
on the subject of the new party, but
when asked concerning il, said:
There is nothing new today; some
thing may develop in few days"
When asked If he would head the
citizens ticket, provided the opportunity
was offered him. Mr.. Potter replied that
he should not care to say that he would
until he knew the feeling of the pro-
motors of the movement toward him.
Mayor Dodge, when seen yesterday,
was not greatly disturbed over the bluff
of the Citizens" He looked upon the
failure of the Searls movement as
practically death blow to any effect
party in this city this season. He
1 thought that although the democrats of
the city might give their endorsement
| to the ticket of such a party, for the
sake of representation. the chances
were that they would cut it at the
polls.
/ A prominent republican who refused
TO allow the use of his name, said in
speaking of the citizens movement:
Mr. Potter will make the mistake of
! his life if he stands as the head Of that
| ticket. Why last year Mayor Dodge was
elected by d majority Of about 1000, and
I this year I am willing to bet any
amount of money that his majority will
be raised to 1000 if not more. He has
MADE many 1rlendS IN the democratic
party by his appointments and will re-
ceive much support from that quarter,
"Mr. Potter, as a result of his stand
/ on the jubilee fountain matter in the
board of aldermen, could look for no
support from that quarter. And you
viii find that the talked of detection in
/ the republican ranks will not pan out
as big as is claimed. This howl for a
4 citizens ticket is made by only few
men.
Mayor Dodge has during his term of
service done good work The citizens
/ of Worcester appreciate it and he will
/ be reelected"