The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-13
Gen. Collins Suffered From the knitting Of
Mr.. MuTphy's Friends.
DEMOCRATIC PLURALITY OVERCOME.
Statements Made BY Tho veor and vanqulshsd.
Democrats In Control Of Both Branches Of
The CITY Government.

Boston, Dec. i3.-After a most spirit
ed campaign the Republicans won a
great victory in the municipal election
yesterday, Hon. Thomas n. Hart de-
featinS Cen. Patrick A. Collins. the
democratic nominee for mayor by 1904
votes. The Democrats. however. still
control both branches of the city GOV
ernment, the board OF aldermen by q
somewhat increased majority, the total
vote being Hart (Rep), 1866 Collins
CDem) }. 3S,16l. The city. as usual. vot-
cd for license, but the all-absorbing
question OF re-laying the street car
tracks on fremont street, which h4d
been taken up when the subway was
completed, was negatived.
The Republican victory was I'm a
great measure due TO the "knihng' OF
Gen. Collins by the supporters OF John
X. Murphy who were severely disap-
pointed al their favorite's defeat In the
caucuses. \ remarkable heavy Re
publican vote also materially assisted
in overcoming the Democratic plurality
OF 1000 In the last city election for may
or I'm 1897. and the 5000 at the state elec-
tion in November. The board OF alder
men Will stand: Eight Democrats and
five Republicans
The election other than the heavy
voting, was devoid Of special incident,
there being no excitement at the polls
and no arrests.
DEMOCRATIC RUPTURE.
The bitterness aroused over the re-
suit OF the Democratic caucuses last
month occasioning rupture in that
party. coupled with the tremendous
outpouring OF voters, especially i'm the
Republican waTds, Interested In the
question OF relaSing the car tracks on
fremont street, was probably the direct
cause of the Republican victory. There
was. however, an indirect cause which
prompted numerous Democrats and "A
great majority of the Republicans To
vote for Mr.. Hart. and chat was the
opposition TO the so-called board Of
strategy or the acknowledged leaders
of the Democrats i'm city hall. Hun
dreds of voters i'm the strong Demo-
cratic districts followed the example
Of the defeated candidate for the party
nomination at the caucus, John AZ.
Murphy, and supported Mr.. Hart. much
10 the surprise and chagrin OF the COL
lins managers. who, up to the very
morning OF the election secuted the
idea that this detection would amount
10 anything. and confidently believed
that Mayor Quincy's plurality Of two
years ago would not only be equalled.
but exceeded. The revolt. however, In
conjunction with a solid Republican
vote proved the fallacy of such calcu-
lations. and gave their opponents a
we'll earned victory.
CAR TRACK ISSUE.
The question Of relaying the tracks
on fremont street brought thousands
10 the polls. Two years ago, when the
subway was completed at a cost OF 81
600, 000. the e.ectIqc car tracks along
Boylston street from the westerly en-
trance OF the subway 10 fremont street
and along the latter street past the
Common 20 Scoliay square were re-
moved by the Boston Elevated COM
pany Ia conformity with the leg sla;iFe
act An effort was made in the legls-
lature last spring TO pass an act pro-
vidiug for the reiaying of the rails. The
oppCgiton was very strong and COM
ptomfse was effected, giving the voters
~ Roston an opportunity 70 decide the
matter.
The defeat Of the so.talled Board OF
must be r R3rded as VIC
tory for John r. Murphy. After his
own defeat I'm thc caucuees by Gen. COL !
i+ess., he remainei aspar>ntly passive.
while many OF his staunChest lead -
spoke az the regular party rallies. sud /
denly carly lest week Mr.. Murphy an /
n0uncCd his intention or vUTt1TTT tuT MIR. !
Hart. th Republican candidate, and in /
doing 50 ssutd a scathing denunciation /
against the Democratic managers and I
asserting that Mr. Collins's nomination ;
vas effected by wholesale fraud This 4
transformed the campaign I
from one of lethergy 10 the most excit- /
ing in the city's history. and from that I
time until last night the contest was 4
v aged with great ferccncSa
BITTER PERSONALITIES
The Democratic leaders INDUCED in /
bitter personalities. while the Republi-
cans with rallies ia their strongholds 1
nToused the greatest interest so that I
the natural result was the largest vote .
ever Colled In Boston.