The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-24
CABMAN IN The RACE
JOHN KELLY A SERIOUS CANDI-
DATE FOR ORDINARY.
HE WANTED REPRESENTATION
MIDNIGHT CONFERENCE WITH CON-
MISSIONER AND COUNTY AT
TORNEY.


Against Capt. Henry McAlpin Yes
terday and Had His Tickets Printed
Was Looked Upon as n Joke mt First
but Kelly Soon Convinced People
That He Is in Earnest-Called on
Commissioned Vetsburg With the
Brown DrOthers-Mr. Vetsburs
Talked with Col Cam and Kelly
Was Notified at an Early Hour
This Morning That He Can't Name
Managers-May Get a Challenger
and watcher at Each BOx-Chair-
man Alexander Urges Democrats
to Turn Out and Vote.
John Kelly. ex-patrol driver, cabman
and ward politician, generally, known
under the sobriquet of Australian KEEL
ly, will oppose Capt. Henry McAlpin,
the Democratic nominee for ordinary,
at The polls to-day. When the an
nouncenent was sprung yesterday it
was believed to be a wicked joke, per
petrated by an enemy of Kelly or Capt.
McAlcjn.
This thought was soon cispelled By
Kelly himself, who announced to those
when lie met on the streets that he
would make the race as an Independent
candidate. Tickets bearing tie name
of John Kelly, along with the union
label were printed. and in circulation
during the day. There will be an
abundance of them at the Court House
when the polls open. and all Of those
who wagered that Capt. McAlpin
would have no opposition have moth
ing else to do but pay what they owe.
Some of them have intimated that
Kelly was induced to enter the contest
so that those who bet for opposition
would have no show to lose. Be that
as it may Kelly is in the race, and be-
gan his fight last night by asking for
representation at the boxes. That he
is serious and was in earnest in making
his request, is shown by the fact that
he did not give up when at first, told
that he would have to stand for the
managers and clerks already named.
Called on Mr.. Vetsburg.
Commissioner A. Vetsburg was nam
ed as a special committee from the
County Commissioners to take charge
of the election, and appointed Magis-
trate Richard Wickham, one of the
managers, as superintendent of the
election. Kelly called on Superintend-
ent Wickham last night, and asked for
representation at the boxes. The super
intendent told him that the managers
had already been named by Commits
SiCnRT Vets hnrO nd he
make any changes. Kelly did not give
up in despair, but set out for Commits
sioner Vetsburg's residence on Liberty
street.
Accompanied by the Brown broth
ers-Jim and Reilly-he called on
Commissioner Vetsburg and asked for
representation at the boxes. He stated
that he considered it imperative
that he should have friends in the
boxes and told the commissioner as he
had been Informed of the law that is
his right. Mr. Vetsburg was both
surprised and puzzled. He neither re-
fused the request for managers or
stated that he would allow them. He
was uncertain what to do and did not
wish to commit himself without being
properly advised.
Midnight Campaign.
1t was near midnight when Kelly
and his friends were told that County
Attorney George T. Cam would have
to be consulted on the matter Mr..
Vetsburg left his residence shortly be-
fore that hour to see Col. Cam and
put the troublesome situation before
him. Kelly had stated to Mr.. Vets
burg that he had no objection to the
managers already appointed, but would
have preferred to have named his own
representatives. He also wanted the
right to have a challenger at each box
and representative in each box when
the count is made.
letter was prepared for Kelly in
which Commissioner Vetsburg stated
that the list of managers could not be
changed. He stated that the request
for representation had not reached him
until late hour. and that the mana
gers had already been named. No OBJ
lection had been made to them by KEEL
ly and Mr.. Vetsburg said plainly
he could not change them. He added
that the matter of a challenger and a
watcher at each box would come under
the jurisdiction of Supt. Wickham, but
that he had no doubt the request
would be granted. Mr.. Vetsburg said
that he believed such had been the Gus
tom, and that he presumed if the re-
quest is made properly on Supt. Wick
ham, there will be no trouble on that
line. 1t was nearly l o'clock this
morning when Commissioner Vetsburg
returned home after his conference
with the County Attorney.
Registration Lists Ready.
The registration lists were turned
over to the commissioner by the Board
of Registrars yesterday and everything
is in readiness for the opening of the
polls. The voting booths were put in
place during the day and the managers
and clerks will be sworn in at $50
o'clock by Supt. Wickham. The polls
will open at 7:24 o'clock, city time, and
will close at 6:24. The election prom
ises to be a tame affair, and a small
detail of police, under a sergeant, will
be on hand only as a matter of pre-
caution. Under the law the election
viii be under the sheriff's forces. and
Maj Schwarz and his deputies will be
on hand.
It is generally believed that the vote
will be a light one, but every Demo-
crat has been urged to go to the polls
and cast his ballot. Chairman Alexan-
der Of the County Democratic Execu-
tive Committee is anxious that a large
vote be polled.
Chairman AIexander's Appeal.
Capt Henry McAlpin." said Mr..
Alexander yesterday lis the Demo-
cratic candidate for ordinary" regu,
larry chosen at Democratic primary
held for that purpose. The four can.
didates who entered that primary did
so first giving their written pledge 10
abide by its result and support the
successful candidate in that primary
election. at the regular election. The
Democratic primary is the foundation