The Irish standard., 1900-04-21
WHICH SMITH SHALL IT BEa

Among all the surnames in the direc-
tories OF English-speaking cities of the
world there is always one which occu-
pies considerable space 1t is the Anglo
Saxon name OF Smith Men of the name
who are inclined to be aristocratic some
times escl1ew the plain, democratic or
biography and write their cognomens
Smyth or Smythe, but try as they may
to conceal their humble origin the words
of the poet will hold true that
whence cometh Smith, be he knight or
squire,
But from, the smith who smiteth at the
fire."
Though the name OF Smith is as
plenty as blackberrics" in every great
city of the United States it is but rarely
that two individuals of that name run
for the same office on different tickets.
The citizens Of St. Paul will be given an
opportunity next month of electing a
Smith as their chief magistrate. Which
shall it be?-Robert A. Smith or Ches-
ter r. Smith? A great deal will depend
on the answer, and it bel1ooves the vot-
ers to exercise their best judgment in
affixing cross opposite the Smiths on
the tickets.
Robert A. Smith, the Democratic can.
didate for mayor, served in that capa-
city twice before and gave eminent sat
is.action. "He was and is personally
honest" says the Pioneer Press. "He
is personally a good fellow-a good
natuied, kind-hearted, easy-going sort
OF fellow, who carried these qualities in
to the office of mayor" continues the
champion of Republicanism in the state
capital. The same organ compliments
him for desiring to see the affairs of the
city creditably administered during his
two terms, and says he was far better
than his party, or rather section of his
party which it calls "a gang of political
corruptionists.
In view of the fact that the Pioneer
Press is advocating the election of Ches-
ter r. Smith with all its might, Robert
A. Smith has received all the praise that
he can reasonably expect from the
mouthpiece of the Republican party
That he made capable executive is ad-
mitted by his opponents, and that his
integrity is without spot or blemish is
not disputed "He was and is person.
ally honest" says the leading Repub-
lican paper Of the city.
The Irish Standard will not draw any
invidious comparison between the two
Smiths. Undoubtedly they are both
honorable men. Bob has demonstrated
his ability as good executive of the
city, while Chef has never held any Of
flee in the gift of the people. Since the
former went out of office in 1896 the
city OF St. Paul has been in the hands
of the Republicans, and the whole coun-
try knows its unenviable municipal rec
ord. During the administration OF
Mayor Doran the city was in bad odor
throughout the country, and it but
slightly and almost imperceptibly i'm
proved under the mayoralty of A. R.
Kiefer. A third Republican mayor in
succession is more than the people are
willing to bear, especially when the can
didate offered to them is practically I'M
acquainted with municipal affairs. They
already know the qualifications of R. A.
Smith and feel confident he will serve
them to the best advantage. They will
therefore elect him by an overwhelming
majority. Not only will they elect r. A.
Smith, but the Democratic candidates
for the assembly, the nominee for comp
troller, and the entire ticket from top to
bottom. 1t is hardly necessary for the
Irish Standard to remind its voting
patrons in St. Paul that it is to their
own interest to give their individual
support and allegiance to Bob Smith
and all the candidates on his ticket. 1t
is high time to rescue St. Paul from the
grasp Of gang who have been throt-
thing it for the past four years. Don't
fail to elect the right Smith on the first
day of May