The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-04-22
OHIO TOWN HAS A TRAMP MAYOR
A Joke on Election Day Turned Out
Seriously for Amesvii,a

- Joke on ELECTION Day urned Out
Seriously for Amesvi!Ie.
indianapolis News: The politicians Of
Amesville, o., learned that 1t does not
pay TO indulge in practical jokes in the
election of mayor. They tried it. and as
Il result the town has for mayor a man
VINO was known as a tramp, who had
served time in the Cincinnati workhouse.
The politicians thought it would be a
good joke to nominate the TRAMP for
mayor. The people thought the joke so
good that they followed the precedent and
elected. Then they all turned TO the gov
crnor and petitioned him to set aside the
election on the ground that 1t was illegal.
Inc lawyers and the best representatives
OF the town went to Columbus last week
to lay their pet.tion before the governor,
and after hearing them Governor Nash
said he could see no cause for his inter-
ference.
A1nesville is in Athens county, and a
town of about 1000 Inhabitants. Last
years mayor, Edward Clark, was not ex-
hcliy opular IN AmcSVille, and his cleo
ton gains the strong candidate named
to oppose him was impossible. So his
crowd hit upon a plan to keep him in
otfice by nominating somebody as a
Joke who should aftcrward prove in
eligible and be removed, allowing the in
cuInbent to retain office for another year.
AT the convention there was a prcar-
ranged deadlock and "a a compromise the
Eaine of one AlonEo r. Weed, a dwarf
tramp. just out of the Cincinnati work
house, was offered, and he was Almost
unanimously chosen, and his name went
on me ticket. Weed, who is known as
'A!6get' among the tourist fraternity.
was to receive q gallon Jug OF the choic-
est rye whisky If he would agree not to
axe a drink Unit! after election, and until
ms case should be decided by Governor
\aSh. PENDING the decision he was to
be kept in luxury in a boarding house
ana was to be given Clean linen and new
clothes.
ne compact was kept and Weed was
elected as a huge Joke" OF course. tho
people generally didn't know Of the dea,
TO Keep the old mayor in office. bur thew
were stampeded by what they considered
ii nosc Joke, and simply voted for Weed
with the idea that the opposition cand,-
date would easily get enough votes To ho
elected.
sui me dwarf tramp was elected and
then a long list Of fearful" charges
We're filed with Governor Nash. These
were signed by Acting Mayor Clark.
.ounclIinen Henry and Beaslev. and
Liih McNuhe' and related that Weeds
haoltS were quite unfit for such n dipni-
,led position as mayor of Amesviue. Thai
lie was q person Of intcmpcrate habits
anu mat his only claim to residence In
ono was the fact that he had iust snent
fourteen months in the work house ri
Cincinnati. az
Inc mayors counsel admitted ,or
specllcation in the complaint b,,t -,
Ielu mat they all related to acts com
nitt.eu PRIOR to the election and the mn
hiclpal code recognized charges a.,ins,
mayor only such as were comlnitte
Vile IN Office. and in this stand CIV.
~ mnsnl uliy concurred. The charges
u h~lenperance would not hold. bnransa
polh siues admitted that while Weed nd
peen pFlped with a jug of whisky TO re-
man sober for a specified length Of ,i,ro
ana nau MOI touched liquor in any form
~ 'his one act set aside all claims &C 70
ms inability soberly to admini.Inr 49, 90 -
Ialfs or the town. Governor Nash tool
ne s.and mat as this was the first case
uiuer me municipal law, he would he
eolnpelled to establish a precedent, SO he
mayor. 'Stdleu as