Arizona republican., 1902-03-30
AN EXCITING ELECTION
By Which W. b. Robinson Succeeds
Himself As School Trustee.

In the hottest school election ever
held in Phoenix w. II. Robinson was
elected to succeed himself as a MEM
Der of the school by a majority of 1876
over the contesting candidate. George
H. N LuhrS, in a total vote of LIZ
Mr.. Robinson receiving 709 votes and
Mr. Luhrs 513. AS has been stated, the
popularity of the candidates. or the
superior fitness of either of the candi-
dates was not taken into consideration
by the voters The issue was Superin-
tendent Creager against whom unsuc-
cessful fights have been waged for the
last three years. The friends of Mr..
Crea ger had always overcome the Op-
position so overwhelmingly that it was
thought they would be able to do it
again yesterday.
4 thing happened in the morning that
was unfortunate for Mr. Luhrs. though
he had nothing to do with it. and did
not know that it had been done. An
anonymous circular was scattered
about town charging the present board,
| Of. which Mr.. Robinson is a member,
with having wasted the school funds in
| the building of the water closets at
the central school building at a cost
of $4,000. when the building should not
| have cost more than $1,000. 1t was
also charged that there had been ir-
Irregularities in the letting. of the con-
| tracts for the new school buildings. It
was further stated that a friend of
| Mir. Robinson was working in his behalf
| and that in urging his friends to vote
| for him he had said that in the event
! of Mr.. Robinson's election he would
| be given a job at a salary of $35 a
month.
Mr. Robinson caused circular to be
| issued denouncing the statements con-
| tanned in the anonymous circular as
infamous lies and offering TO pay $500
| for the name of the man who it was
charged would profit by his election. A
great deal of sympathy was aroused
| for him and scores voted for him who
would not have gone to the polls.
| 1t was also given out that the Young
Mems Democratic club was interesting
itself in behalf of Mr.. Luhrs. The in
lection of partisan politics aroused a
| great deal of excitement which also
added to Mr.. Robinson's strength At
noon. though only 500 votes had been
cast. his friends were claiming his
election. but by the middle of the after
noon they were less confident. An
hour before the closing of the polls at
4 o'clock, there was a rush which con-
| tinued to the hour of closing. 1t was
| during this period that the greatest
| Luhrs vote was cast. When the time
to close came there were many who had
not had an opportunity to vote. 1t
took about fifteen minutes to reach the
ballot box after one had put himself
at the end of the line of voters and
| two hours after the voting was over
| persons came anxious to participate in
| the contest.
| There was a heavy feminine vote
| mostly crystallzed against the inter
ests of Superintendent Creager by the
Women's club. The churches also took
part in the fray, the Presbyterian and
| First Methodist churches supporting
Mr.. Robinson. while that of the NJ. E
| Church. South. cast its vote in the
main for Mr.. Luhrs.
1t is quite probab bic that not only the
| Superintendency of the schools will be
affected by yesterdays election, but
that changes will occur in the corps OF
teachers, for many of them had taken
an interest in the election that the
victors will probably construe to have
been partisan.
Notwithstanding the activity at the
polls, there was no disorder and very
little manifestation of ill feeling.