The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-09
WILLIAM P. SPRAY Wins
REPUBLICAN COUNCILMEN NOMINATE
HIM TO SUCCEED HALDEMAN.
Dark Horse Successful After Four
Others Had FaiIed-Other Mu-
nicipal Affairs.

A long shot won in the race for Harry
M. Trademarks seat In the Council. The
Republican members, twelve in number,
caucused last night in the Office of the city
clerk and after four futile ballots nomi-
mated William Penn Spray, of the Second
Ward. Spray was a dark horse whose form
had been practically unknown and who was
an overnight entry of William H. Wheeler.
who vouched for him.
Mr.. Spray lives at 600 East Twenty first
street, and is a coal dealer. Formerly he
was foreman for the Furnas Company
when it had the street sweeping contract of
the city. He is not prominent at all in
politics. but is a worker in a modest way
in his own ward. Mr.. Spray is personal
friend of William H. Wheeler. who was
able to command sufficient influence in the
caucus to secure the election of his protege.
The result OF the caucus was a distinct
surprise to the Republican members of the
Council themselves as well as TO people
generally who were not familiar with Mr..
Sprays name and who expected that some
one whose candidacy had been extensively
advertised, would be chosen. The admins
tration claims a victory in Mr.. Sprays
election and it is so regarded by Republican
councilmen who have at times been recall
citrant to policies advocated by MIR. Book
MAINTAINS that the fine o Italian hand fVe Of
James III. Billingsley is seen I'm the result.
Billingsley, he says, meant Spray all the
time and lay low until the opposition had
spent its force on other candidates.
HOT CONTEST.
To elect Mr.. Spray it took five hot bal
lots To start with, four men were con-
coded to have chance. George Harris,
James Munro, William Locke and Joseph
Casper Harris had secured the promise
L. soI xv;tl< l.
until it became evident there was no hope
of success. Mr.. Wynne. MIR. Cooper, Mr..
Mcfarland. Mr.. Rhodes, Mr.. Holli-
day. and Mr.. Negley voted for
Harris on the first two ballots
and then, realizing that they were up
against it. shifted to other men. Joseph
Casper did not get vote on the first bal
lot, but he developed surprising strength
on the second and third. Then he stopped
and it became apparent his election was
impossible. Munro made his best showing
on the first ballot and dwindled away TO
nothing afterward. Locke got two on the
first, then lost one and carried one with
him to the end.
The ballots were as follows:
First-Munro, 8; Harris, o; Locke, 2;
Spray, /. Casper, o.
Second-Munro, /: Harris, 6: Locke, i;
Spray, i; Casper, J.
Third-Munro, 0; Harris, 4; Locke, j;
Spray 3: Casper. 4.
Fourth-Munro, o; Harris, 2; Locke, /;
Spray, 5: Casper, A.
Fifth-Munro. O; Harris, i; Locke, /;
Spray, Z: Casper, 3.
After the caucus, when it became gener-
ally known who the nominee was, there
was some scurrying around and telephoning
TO politicians TO find out something definite
about Mr. Spray and 10 find out how ne
stood in relation to certain men and things.
Even those who had voted for him seemed
a bit dazed aud unable TO explain why.
Fear of deadlock was given as the prin-
ciple reason.
No attempt was made to nominate a man
for the presidency of the Council. That
will be done next Monday night when
Haldeman's successor is elected. The
presidency is said to lie between Mr..
Bilingsley and Mr. Rhodes.