Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-29
PARTY STRONGHOLD REVOLTS
Democratic First Ward Promises to Redse m
Itself.
HUBER'S HARD RACE FOR REELECTION
His Record on the streets AIienRte'
Former A~dherents, and Business
Men Rally Around j. r.
Bell.

Despite the fact that the First ward has
always been considered a strong democratic
stronghold, Alderman Huber, the represen-
tative in the city council from that section
of the municipality, will have a hard time
being reelected Monday. Even members OF
his own party living in that ward announce
their intention to vote for j. R Bell, the
republican nominee for alderman. The
fear of the possibility Of Huber's again be-
ing appointed chairman Of the streets and
alleys committee in the event OF his re-
election to q seat In the city council has
caused many of his former supporters to
turn their backs on him this spring. The
terrible condition Of the streets Of the busi-
ness portion Of the city is held to be suf-
hcient argument against his reelection.
As chairman OF the streets and alleys
committee during the last two years Huber
has had practically exclusive control over
the expenditure Of S24, 1856, and taxpayers
ask what there is to show for 1t. Each year
during his tenure of office Huber has
drained the fund appropriated for the
streets and alleys Of the last cent, yet the
streets, 1t is charged, do not appear to de-
rive any benefit from the expenditure of this
large sum Of money.
For the fiscal year just approaching a
close the receipts in the streets and alleys
fund have been $11, 917, made up as fol-
lows: Appropriated from general fund, &c.
900; road fund from county treasurer,
S3,417; poll taxes worked, $4,000; poll taxes
paid $500.
Waits Not for Councils Sanction.
OF the amount appropriated by the city
council from the general fund every cent
Of the Sc, 200 was expended by Huber before
| Ayorar,Aor XUithnut ranofyip0 the uann-
ton Of the cltv council, Huber expended a
large sum out OF the streets and alleys fund
on what was known as the Elliott street
cut. For this he was called to account by
the council, but the matter was finally
dropped.
When the municipal campaign opened up
Huber desiring to be renominated, placed
a largo force of men at work on the streets
sweeping the dirt into heaps along the gut
tiers. These men had to get employment
he asserted, although at the time he ad-
mitted he was unable to secure wagons and
teams to haul away the dirt after II had
been swept of the streets into the cutters
When the wind began to blow the dirt wa,
swept back into the streets again and tn,
work of cleaning the streets according t.
Huber's own particular plan was begun ovei
again. In this manner Huber has spent II
the last two weeks $1,0O0tand the streets are
silent witnesses that they are as filthy al
ever.
Another complaint against Huber is tina
he is autocratic; that he refuses to consult
with the other member on his committee
but orders the entire expenditure of tn,
streets and alleys fund as II he was thu
whole committee.
Rally Round j. n. He'll.
In the desire to relieve Huber Of the pos
sible chance OF again wasting, as 1t is al
legged he has, the funds of the city in tn,
street cleaning department, the citizens o
the First ward are rallying around the re
publican candidate. J. r. Bell, an old-tim
business man, a man Of integrity and stand
ing in the community, as evidenced by hi
unanimous election to the office Of presiden
I of the Business Mems association, an or
ganization including In its membership al
OF the leading business and professions
men of the city.
The feeling in the First ward is tina
Huber will go down In defeat with the res
Of the democratic ticket and that the re
publicans will next Monday retrive tn
. First ward from the grasp Of democracy an
Charley Huber.