The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-08
Every Man Elected but One
Councilman.
AFTER A HARD BATTLE
Campaign on the Whole Was
Fair and Decent.
MLEAN WAS THE TARGET
Forty Per Cent of the Demo-
Gratis Voted for Him.
VICTORY IN FIFTH WARD
Carried by the Mayor by Big
Majority.


MLEAN'S TOTAL VOTE. 4.SO4
ROSS TOTAL VOTE. 4. 400
PARKHURSTS TOTAL vOTE...... S1s
MLEAN'S GAIN OVER 199i...... 900
M'LEAN'S MAJORITY. IS
MLEAN'S PLURALITY. 4O4
The entire Republican ticket was
elected in Wichita yesterday afte1
the hardest fought campaign in the
history of the city. The opposition
got only one man-Councilman Bur
ton. in the Sixth ward-who has sue
ceeded himself several times.
The returns will not be complete in
the township offices until a very late
hour this morning, but enough is
known to have every candidate elected
beyond doubt
While the campaign was a hard
fought one, it was generally fair and
decent. Some bitterness was shown
by the opposition, but, to be fair, it
can be said that it came from a few
irresponsible parties and not from the
great body Of the people who were
opposing the Republican ticket, or
from any leader in the opposition
forces. On the whole, the city is to
be congratulated upon the character
Of the contest.
A great many Republicans did not
support the regular Republican nom
lnee for mayor. but enough Democrats
rallied to the support Of Ben Mclean
10 Offset the Republican disaffection.
It is estimated that more than 40 per
cent of the body Of Wichita Democ-
racy supported the regular Republican
ticket. and 80 per cent Of the leaders.
The fight was centered on Mayor
Mclean, not on him personally, but
on factors in his administration, for
which the opposition claimed he was
responsible He bravely and cour-
ageously made no apologies for his
administration, and stood by his ap-
pointees. He fought the fight for all
his administration from top to bottom,
and by heroic personal work Won out
A great many were attracted to his
standard because they admired his
nerve in facing what seemed to be
insurmountable odds at the beginning
of his campaign.
The female vote was a big factor
In the campaign. 1t was the heaviest
ever cast in Wichita. AS a general
rule. the women voted as their hus-
bands voted, and so far as married
women are concerned the result was
q stand-off. The women without hus-
bands. however. seemed to be largely
for Finlay Ross, on the proposition,
as they figured it, that he would do
much toward minimizing the evils that
always attach to the life of big city.
Sentiment. to that extent entered
into the campaign.
The question of taxes was also an
issue in the campaign. Mayor Nc
Leans administration used more
money than some previous admins
trations, and while nobody could point
definitely to any case where money
was spent foolishly. yet the cry of
extravaganza was raised anG some be
leved in it.
On the whole the campaign and
election reflects credit upon the good
citizenship. The leaders of the oppo-
sition. as said before, were honorable
in their methods and the best of feel
ing existed between the two forces.
This morning there viii be but one
force and that viii be for Mclean and
a greater and better Wichita.
It is estimated and believed that the
proposition TO vote bonds for a high
scnool has been defeated by a practl-
cally unanimous vote.
Mr. Mclean carried his own ward
by nearly 200 votes. Bets were made
that he would lose it by zoo He did
personal work Of great value there.
It IS estimated that Republicans
have won more than $4,000 on the re
suit. One man has won nearly $1,000.
Yesterday was an ideal election day
The sun was shining al day. bat the
temperature was low enough TO be pleas
ant. and this accounts for the large vote
being polIed. Many people posted on
such matters expected the total vote poll
ed 10 be less than s.eoo. bat the total vote
was la.02l-
Every one took en- interest in the cleo
ton There was 4 larger percentage Of
women voting than in any former year.
and 70 many IL seemed as II this was a
gala occasion a large number OF wo-
men voted for the first time this year.