The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-27
DR.AMES' WARCHEST
What Is to Become of That "Cam-
paign FUND.-"
WAS UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE ONE
His Retirement VIII Defeat the Pur-
pose for Which 1T Was
Collected.

Now that Mayor Ames has officially an
neunced his definite retirement from the
political arena and made it as plain as
the English language will permit that he
will not accept either nomination or cleo
ton to the mayoralty this fall, there IS
a natural curiosity te know what use he
will make of the campaign fuEn which he
is reputed to have gathered in the past
year or go. In view of the fact that
Mayor Ames has himself admitted more
than once to personal and political friends
that there such & fs,la ana thaa
moreover odfy.snfme nsaohs
and was located Eish ers hs eauld pnt
campaign, the questions; seems to be quite
pertinent. IS
It is a matter of common talk in city
hall circles and about town that there Is
such fund, and in estimating the mayor
atty probabilities this year "a good deal
of reliance has been placed on the en-
cacy of that same fund to land the docto:
in the excel tive chair for another term.
Other things being anywhere near equal,
the ,Ames men have figured that ready
cash, skilfully placed, would certainly 90
the business for the mayor.
The fund was first heard of early last
year and was then known as the FLETCHER
campaign fund. It was to be used to land
the mayor in Congressman Fletcher's
another term as mayor was what he
wanted most, and he dropped his opposition
to Mr.. Fletcher's denomination. But the
fund, itais stated, kept right on growing.
The fund was then report ed to be of mod
est proportions, and while the question
was then asked, What will the mayor do
with the Fletcher fund.-" there was no
such occasion for curiosity as now, months
afterward, when 1t must have been vastly
augmented.
Existece of Fund Denied.
Take the word Of some of the mayors
closest favorA!es and one will be readily
convinced that there isn't any fund on
hand worth the name.
Mayor Ames has to-day not $4,000 to
his name" declared Pawnbroker Inspect or
opinion of what disposition would be made
of the campaign fund. There isn't any
such fund he added, heatedly.
.CaThain Coffee john Fitchette echoed
the declaration, only in more emphatic
language Others winked sapiently and
said nothing. ina lily one was found who
admit ed that possibly there was such
fund. and he expressed the sentiment that
probably it would be used TO defend. the
indicted police officials. ss
It is stated in behalf of the admits
tration that much of the money set aside
ostensibly for use in the next campaign
is made up of free will offerings from
those who desire to help the mayor and
does not represent money wrung from
vice or holders of Legitimate Snaps"
There have been funds Of this character
In other administrations, lis claimed
and II would only be natural for Mayor
Ames to follow precedent in this regard.
OF course, now that there is no longer
an occasion for a campaign fund 1t is ex-
nected that contributions will cease for
the rest of the year, except inlso. far as
needed to support the pensioners" the
men deserving something Of practical
sort ct the administration for whom there
We're not pieces at the public crib.