The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-10
HOW IT WAS DONE
Al Little Bit of History by Mr.,
Little.
How Eight 10 Eight Became Nine to Seven In
Recent Crucial Caucus in
This Civ.

To the Editor: Eight and eight But
we must make it nine to seven, and how
can we do it. 'Tis a story worth the tell
ing how the one man was captured and
the big Nine" was born. Eight little
aldermen standing in a line Another one
was caught and then there were nine.
Five is majority. of course, so Ave
votes in the secret caucus named the can
didate that eighteen Democratic alder
men must elect for the big Nine"
pledged themselves each to the other to
stand by those whom fve-the majority
Of nine-should vote for
To get the odd man to make the big
Nine" there had to be concessions and
sacrifices The ninth man only asked to
be instrumental in securing the chief ana
assistant chief of the Fire Department.
He began his work and tackles one of tie
nine, who wished his brother-in-law TO
be assistant sanitary Inspector. and tells
him il you will vote with me for my
chief and assistant chief of the Fire De-
partment. / will vote for your assistant
sanitary Inspector and this was agreed
to. Another of the big Nine" desired
his fatherin-law to be retained as turn
key and his brother to be sexton of city
cemetery, and the No. 9-the odd man
to make the big Nine goes to the other
and pledges his vote for the old turnkey
and the next sexton in return for the
others vote for his chief and assistant
chief. Again Mr.. Odd Man tackles the
third fractional part of the big Nine, T"
who hopes to retain a certain police
officer-no relative-but a good faithful
officer, and you tickle me, I'll tickle you
by voting for your policeman and you
vote for my chief and assistant chief.
Here is where the work was done and
a candidate who had seven of the eight
originals pledged to him was defeated by
the odd man who made the big Nine. =
Mr.. Chairman, Mr.. Odd Man, the alder
man with the brother-in-law. he with
the father-in-law and brother, and the
alderman friend OF the good policeman
make five who nominated a chief of the
Fire Department over Mr.. Lumsden, who
had seven pledged votes among he
original eight, who wanted an odd man
to secure a majority of sixteen.
Let us see what the record of Mr..
Lumsden has been to have the support
of seven out of eight to start on fair
race. During his term this record shows
more fire alarms with less loss than ever
before. During the past two years the
insurance companies have done $50, 900
worth of business in the corporate limits
of Raleigh and their losses have been
less than $4,000, yet the odd man, quiet
ly secures the help of three of the seven
who would have voted for Mr.. Lumsden,
without either of the three knowing any,
hut he had been approached, and knowing
Mr.. Lumsden had seven votes could
spare his one and he could secure one
more vote for brother-in-law, father-in-
law, brother or good policeman. These
are facts gathered from those who know.
The white firemen of Raleigh number
seventy-two, and Of these ffty-two signed
a strong petition for Mr.. Lumsden's re-
election. The "harmony" letter sent to
the members of the Board of Aldermen
had no effect, for there has never been
any inharmonious action on the part of
the Raleigh Fire Department. Harmony
has always prevailed and I trust it will
so continue. V
There is much yet to tell Of How it
was DONE" but only in defense Of justice
do say this much. Perhaps the public
are interested in public matters and there
will necessarily have TO be some explana-
tions made, at least there is minority
entitled to their rights and the public
will watch with anxious eyes the nerve
of that minority while they attempt to
defeat others in justice yet to be done
This minority could not afford to, and ii
is to be hoped will not resign, but Mr.
Lumsden, in self-respect did the proper
thing in rendering his resignation after
receiving the treatment he did.
Mr.. Odd Man may feel elated az h''
slick work and be jubilant over his sue
cess in pulling wool over the eyes Of
those he flim-fammed, but there is
hearty Indignation among the good PEG
pie of Raleigh, who have ever courte(
fair and honest treatment, and who viii
never give countenance to dirty work O
any character. R. ID. LITTLE.