The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-13
EPUbL|CANS
CARRY BOSTON
Hart Sweeps Boston By a
Plurality OF 1900
MuRPHY's KNIFE DID 1T
People Win Victory in Prohibiting the
RELAXING of fremont Street Tracks,
City as Usual Is Carried for
License---Collins Chagrined
By Defeat

Boston, Dec. 12.-After a most spir-
tied campaign, the republicans won
great victory in the municipal election
today, Hon. Thomas N. Hart defeating
Gen. Patrick A. Collins, the democratic
nominee for mayor by 1900 votes. The
democrats, however, still control both
branches of the city government, the
board CT aldermen by somewhat in
creased majority.
The city, as usual, voted for license,
but the all absorbing question Of re-
laying the street car tracks on Ire
mont street, which had been taken up
when the subway was complete, was
negatived.
The republican victory was in a great
measure due to the knitting of Gen.
Collins by the supporters of John r.
Murphy, who were severely disappoint
ed at their favorite's defeat in the
caucuses. A remarkably heavy repub-
hcan vote also materially assisted in
overcoming the democratic plurality of
1000 in the last city election for mayor
in 1897 and the 5000 at the state cleo
tion in November.
The election, other than the heavy
voting. was devoid of special incident,
there being no excitement at the polls
and no arrests.
The bitterness aroused over the re-
suit of the democratic caucus last
month, occasioning a rupture in that
party, coupled with tremendous out
pouring of voters, especially in the re-
publican wards interested in the ques-
ton of relaying the car tracks on Ire
mont street, was probably the direct
cause Of the republican victory. There
was, however, an indirect cause which
prompted numerous democrats and the
great majority of the republicans to
vote for Mr.. Hart, and that was the
opposition to the so-called board of
street railways, or the acknowledged
leaders of the democrats in the city
hall.
Hundreds of voters in the strong DEM
ocratic districts, followed the example
of the defeated candidate for party
nomination at the caucuses, John r.
Murphy, and supported Mr.. Hart, much
to the surprise and chagrin OF the Col
Inns managers, who, up to the very
morning of the election, secuted the
idea that the detection would amount
to anything, and confidently believed
that Mayor Quincys plurality of two
but exceeded.
The revolt, however, in conjunction
with a solid republican vote, proved
the fallacy of such calculations, and
gave their opponents a well earned vic
tory. There were so many different
phases of the election that it is diff
cult to designate any special feature as
especially constituting the republican
success.
The defeat of the so-called board of
street railway" must be regarded as a
victory for John R. Murphy.
Mr.. Hart, the successful candidate, is
no stranger to the office Of mayor, hav-
ing served the city once before, but it
is four years since the republicans have
been in control of municipal affairs.
The total vote was: Hart 49, sos; Col
Inns, 3S761 The board of aldermen will
stand eight democrats and five repub-
licans.
The elections in Massachusetts cities
We're practically concluded today, North
Adams being the exception, when II of
them were held. Unlike the conditions
a week ago, the republicans were gem
orally successful, although no partisan
ship was winning banner in several
cities. Only IN Newburyport did the
social democrats make any kind of
contest while in Boston, Lynn and Wo-
burn, ordinarily strong democratic
strongholds. the republicans scored sig
nal victories.
The result in this city was the sensa-
ton of the day and was due in a great
measure to the knitting of the demo-
cratic nominee. and the day was also
good one for license, two cities, Lowell
and Salem, changing from no-license,
and in many instances the license ma
jorities In cities faVoring the sale of
liquor were increased
For the first time in its history Bos-
ton elected 10 aldermen, the change
In number being made to obviate tie
A return was also made to the system
of district voting, and proved success
full. There were number of warm
contests, with the result that the board
next year will stand eight democrats
and five republicans. The aldermen
elected are as follows: District 1, Fred
erick W. Day. dem. district 9, Philip
O'Brien, DEM; district 3, Edward Dix
on, dem; district 4, Michael Morris,
DEM; district 5. Michael j. O'Brien,
dem; district 6, R. ]. Tinkham, rep.
district I. James H. Doyle, dem; dis