The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-06
The Republican Candidate for
Mayor and Others Prominent
in the Party Address a RouSing
Rally
Mr.. FLETCHER BOUND
BY NO PROMISES
If Elected He viii Give an Old
Fashioned Business Admins
tration - All Speakers Refer
to Fitness of Thomas F. Nc
GauIey of Ward Five

About 200 attended the Ward five rail-
ly last night at the rooms of the Eng
fish Social Club. Edward F. Fletcher
arrived little before o'clock, and
spoke briefly, afterward shaking HANDS
with all who came forward to greet
him
The meeting was presided over by
ex-Alderman Henry Brannon. Albert
L. Smith, candidate for school board,
was speaking as Mr.. Fletcher entered.
Chairman Brannon said in introducing
the Republican candidate for mayor,
that he had known Mr.. Fletcher for
many years and that he had always
found him the same genial man he had
always been, and if elected mayor there
would be no change in his nature,
man always approachable and pleas
ant to meet.
Mr. Fletcher said that he desired to
thank the voters of Ward five and 9TH
ers who might happen to be in the hall,
for their interest and work in his be-
half He urged them not to be too
confident of success, as it would be a
strong fight, and each individual voter
was needed at the polls next week.
He wanted to tell those present that
he was bound by no promises, and If
elected, would be in a position to look
after the affairs of the city unham-
pered in any way. 81 can only say
this" he remarked in closing, "if elect
ed I promise you an old-fashioned bus
mess administration"
Hearty applause was given him. and
then, on suggestion from the chair
man, those present came forward to
shake hands with Mr.. Fletcher. He
then left for headquarters.
John r. Jandron, candidate for alder
man, was the next speaker. He said he
did not come to the rally in his own
interests wholly, but to speak good
word for Thomas F. McGauley, their
own candidate for alderman. He then
went on to speak of some of the char
acteristics of Mr.. McGauley and his
fitness for a position in city govern
ment. Mr. Jandron said if he person.
ally was elected he would do all in his
power to help Ward five as well as his
own ward, and he would work with and
for Mr. McGauley. He spoke of Mr..
Fletcher and his clean campaign, free
from personalities and mud-slinging.
He also mentioned Councilman VIII
liam J. Bragg, candidate for reelection
and his remarks were literally ap-
plauded, showing the popularity of
Councilman Bragg in the ward
The next speaker was Frank Roe
Batchelder, who delivered a forcible.
stirring address, which he was pleased
to call an informal talk. 1t was logical,
clear and full of telling points. He
spoke in eulogy of Mr. Fletcher, saying
that such a sober minded, dignified,
clear-headed man of business was the
right man for the position of mayor of
Worcester. He had not sought the of
fee, but was selected as the best can
didate of the Republican party, and he
had received the strongest endorse
ment of the best Republicans of the
city.
Mr.. Batchelder then took up some of
the Democratic arguments in favor of
Mayor Philip ]. O'COnnell. He asserted
that If the loans had been placed be-
fore the end of the fiscal year as Gus
tomary, the city debt Of the present
year would have been greater than
that of last year by many thousands
1t looked to him as though the Demo-
cratic argument of an economical ad-
ministration would not hold water.
Mr.. Fletcher was a man at the head
of a successful business. He was said
by other shoemen to be one of the
ablest men in his line in the state. A
man capable of managing large bust
ness interests would be a man well
fitted for controlling the finances of a
city, which was but an association of
individuals in a business, for a city is
corporation governed Dy men select
ed by reason Of their ability to manage
its affairs.
In conclusion Mr.. Batchelder urged
the voters to work for Thomas F. Nc
Gauley, a man well fitted to represent
them in Board of Aldermen.
The chairman introduced the next
speaker, Arthur NJ. Taft, as a lawyer
and a good fellow. Mr.. Taft gave a
short but able presentation Of the Re
publican side of the present campaign. /
He said if Republican administration
was good in national and state mat