Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-31

that / hadn't any record at all and won
dered what 1 was going to say. 1 tack my
cue from the baby business, and said 1
didn't fear for my election, as 1 knew in
fants were well taken care or every where
and that as a rule the Youngest ones re-
ceived the kindest and best treatment. That
was a little different. 1 guess 1t made a hit,
because the applause was loud and all the
other nominees shook my hand, something
they had neglected to do with the others
before me-"
A hard fight was made on Zimman, and
driven to the last extremity his opponent
urged that he was not of legal age. The
fact that he had voted at the previous
election, however, saved him. He worked
night and day in the campaign, making
speeches every place he got a chance and
making The most of his title as the baby
of the ticket That always caused a hos
nitable laugh wherever he appeared. His
opponent was Tom Harrington, who lad
been elected county assessor the previous
fall by a majority of as votes in the Third.
Zimman beat him out i'm the city at large by
COO votes and in the Third ward HarrinG-
ton received but 90 more ballots. The re-
suit was a pronounced and genuine political
surprise, hut 1t was only an early one OF a
series of surprises that are still coming.
During the campaign Zimman had courte-
ously but firmly declined to use corporation
money to aid in his election, although it
was offered to him under various disg1ises.
His mind was made up early on this ques-
ton, and he let 1t be known cmphatically
that he was not a tool. either for the cor
porations or for any one else. Those who
thought the Third ward gambling element
would hold a controlling hand were mis-
taken: others who imagined that he was
bound hand and foot to the administration
received a rude shock. Independence of an
open. candid. aggressive sort appears to
have been zimmanis CHIEF qualification
when he entered the council. 1t never has
deserted him and has never been found
wanting on any vital public question.
AS the recognized leader of the minority
he was pitted against Councilman Isaac
s. Hascall, who at all times controlled
the majority during the past three years
and who is rightfully reckoned as one of
the most experienced. willy, alert and un-
scrupulous politicians in the city. as well
as being one of the best informed and
possessing a most bitter lnvection. Zim-
mans fights with Hascall are historic. The
grizzled veteran seemed to nave might
always on his side. His adroitness as a
speaker and a manipulation are unques-
toned. On the floor he outpointed and
outgeneEaled z'mman many times, but the
latter kept his course with a t~enacity
commanding admiration. Waging nearly
always a hopeless fight for the people as
against the corporations. 1t took genuine
courage and grit 60 battle in the contin.
uous and determined way that Zimman
did. Generally he was supported by
Couneilmen Burkley. Lobeek and Hoye,
but though they often lost all In the vote
the debates showed him to have the moral
advantage. Curiously enough he had a
habit of referring to promises and plat
forms that was disconcerting to his OPP
pOnents. lie called a spade n spade and
the people liked him for IL.
In the greater councilmanio fights the
principles he championed and the parts
he played form recent history, fresh in
every ones mind. 1t is not necessary to
enumerato them, but a few may be cited
In illustration.
The first councilmanic contest OF con-
sequence I'm which Zimman bore a lead
ing part was in preventing Hascall and the
majority to hire an expensive and little