The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-07
A REMARKABLE
FIGHT FOR MAYOR
Hon. Livingston Minis Won on a
New Platform.
MADE SPEECHES INADREsS SUIT
Though Millionaire, Atlanta's New
Mayor Refused to Buy Votes.
Wanted No 1Nard-Heelcrs and
Buns TO Vote for Him.

What was by far the most unique NUM-
cipal campaign in all the history of South
ern Democracy closed in Atlanta, Ca, last
Friday night, ana it's result completely
revoutionize5 the political methods OF
that city. The man elected mayor made
his stump speeches in evening dress; re-
fused ito allow "ward-heelers' and buns
to come into his office; declined to spend d
single dollar for votes; made his canvass
from workshop to factory fashionably at
tired in Prince Albert coat, beaver hat and
kid gloves, and refused to ally himself
with any corporate interest or to make
any ante-election promises whatsoever.
The present Mayor. it will be recalled,
has several times narrowly escaped i'm
peachment on account OF continued dis
sipation i'll office, and it is said that under
his administration corruption has been al
lowed to spring UP and corporate in
fuences alleged to have gotten the peo-
pie by the threats.
More than u year ago it became evident
that the people would demand a change
at the end of his term, and Hon. Frank P.
Rice, one of 4Atlarta's most widely known
and popular old line Democratic politicians,
announceSi his candidacy. He knew ali'
and influential among the ward leaders,
and announced that it was the very acme
OF his life's ambition to be the chief eNecu-
tive OF Atlanta for one term
WOULD PUT UP THE STUFF.
He went still further and proclaimed that
out of his abundance of this worlds goods
he was willing to spend $4,000 rather than
be defeated.
Two other strong local political leaders
nf
Messrs. l. S. Mitchell and D. n. McCul-
oush. All three of these gentlemen had
served their apprenticeships in political
contests, and had they shown the same
skill in the operation of political machinery
in Virginia that they demonstrated in AT
lanta, it would have been said o. them
that they spoke the language Of the
tribe
They carried on their three-cornered
struggle all to themselves until about two
months ago when the friends of Mr.. L.iv-
ingston Minis, q retired insurance agent,
WAS urgeu BY his friends to enter the / &C.
Finally Mr.. Minis consented. and an
nounced his candidacy, but no one took
him seriously, for all who knew Inn were
sure he would not adopt every day po-
litical methods even for the Governorship
of the state. But in his very refusal to
do this lay his powerful strength with
the people, as was shown by his triun-
Dhant election over the field last Friday.
The canvass made by Mr.. Minis was the
most remarkable known TO the history of
Atlanta, and if he conducts the office on
the same basis, he will be Mayor in deed,
as We'll as in name.
SPOKE IN EVENING DRESS.
Mr.. Minis, who is highly educated and
typical Southern gentleman of the old
school, delivered the opening speech of his
canvass at the Grand Opera House, clad
in a dress suit and patent leather shoes.
He announced then that he would not him.
self nor permit his friends to spend SIN
gle dollar towards accomplishing his cleo
ton; that ne would make no promises to
any person or corporation. and that Il
elected he would be under no obligation TO
any one save to the whole people, and
promised TO give them clean and honest
administration of their affairs.
He drove from one workshop and fac
tory 10 another in a fine double carriage,
attired III kid gloves and Prince Albert
coat of the latest cut, and wearing high
beaver hat. He would meet the men and
tell them he considered them his equals,
but that he proposed 10 go among them
in the same style as that in which ne ap-
pearsd at the Capital City Club, of which
he has been president for fifteen years
He challenged all his opponents 10 Joint
debate. md without the use of single vile
epithet or singing any mud at them, he
won the hearts of Ms hearers. He an
nounced that no ward heelers" or
buns" need apply at his office, as he did
net desire their votes.
The result OF the election witch triumph
antly elevated such a man as this to a
political office of honor and trust in these
days when those who seek high places
must needs bow the knee TO the work
ingman" on the one hand, and TO cor
porati0ns on the other, IS indeed wonder
full, and has caused no little comment in
political circles in the South. The newly
elected mayor OF Atlanta is 81 years OF
age and has lived in that city nearly all
his life.
He was for many years the general
southern manager of the New York Life
Insurance Co.. and was once the president
OF the Southeastern Tariff Association.
He owns and lives in OF the hand
soonest brown-stone front residences on
Peachtree Street.-The most fashionable bou-
evard III Atlanta. He has retired from
active business and is said 10 be worth
81, coo, GOO He is q perfect Chesterfield in
his manner, and loves his home. his books
and his flowers, He is a distinguished
looking gentleman. with classic face ana
iron gray hair, and his election to the
mayoralty of Atlanta. under the fore
going peculiar circumstances, makes him
easily one Of the most interesting char
acters on the stage of Southern politics.
Mr.. Minis has a great many friends in
this city, to whom the story OF MS first
and highly successful political venture VIII
no doubt be of interest.
Labor Notes