The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-05-05
ELECTED MAYOR OF
ST. PAUL SIX TIMES
Robert A. Smith Earns Unique and
Unparalleled Distinction.


The triumphant reelection Of Robert
A. smith for the third consecutive term
as mayor not only added another vic
/ tory to most remarkable career, but
the voters handed him the greatest
majority ever given candidate for the
office.
The result Is a fitting tribute to the
most remarkable political career in the
Northwest. Mayor Smith having proven
the falsity of the assertion that the
office of mayor is the political grave
yard Of the occupant. Instead of being
true of him the mayors popularity has
constantly increased, and on Tuesday
the voters renewed their pledge Of
confidence by giving him the unusual
and heretofore unheard Of majority Of
4,035.
1t would be difficult to find in the
country another man who has for
six terms served as mayor of a city
the size Of st. Paul, and been elected to
serve seventh term, and the fact that
he was reelected by such a tremen-
dous majority over one of the leading
business men of the city demonstrates
that although he is now in his seventy
sixth year he is able to command a
following that is not rivaled by any
public man.
In 1885 Robert A. Smith first became
mayor. He was at the time president
of the council, Mayor Rice resigning
the position to accept an election to
congress. The choice was made by the
city council. In 1888 Mr.. Smith re-
ceived the nomination of his party and
the Republicans were unable to secure
a candidate to make the race against
him. A. r. Kiefer declined the nominal
ton. In 1890 Smith was again nomi-
mated, and at this time Col. Kiefer ac-
cepted the nomination. Smith was
elected by good margin. In 1892 he
was again chosen the standard bearer
of his party, and for the first and only
time was defeated, f.. p. Wright Sc
curing majority Of about $500. Again
in 1894 he was named for the position
and defeated f. B. Doran by about
1000.
Shortly after the expiration Of this
term he was appointed postmaster and
served in this position until he was in
1900 named as the Democratic candi-
date for mayor in a convention that
was noted for the effort of the SOCIAL
ed Bell faction to gain control. Chester
r. Smith was the Republican candi-
date and was defeated by a few more
than 1000 votes. Once more in 1902
he was the candidate Of his party hav-
ing r. B. Doran as his opponent. Mayor
Smith won by few more than 1900
votes. In 1904 the Republicans deter
mined to make strong effort to de-
feat the mayor, who had again been
nominated by the Democrats. f. p.
Wright was selected as the strongest
man that could be secured The result
is fresh in the minds Of the people.
Personally the mayor is most agree
able. Yesterday, the day after his re-
election for another term of two years,
he was the same gentleman who was
encountered during the campaign. His
democratic ways have endeared him to
the people, the nickname of DE Bob"
having been given in spirit Of cor
diality. 1t is an easy matter for call
ers to reach the mayor, as he receives
all in turn.
That the mayor was pleased with the
outcome goes without saying. 1t was
his ambition to defeat Wright by fully
as large a majority as that secured by
Wright in 1892, and In this he was
gratified. Speaking of the outcome, the
mayor said:
"The voters did it, and it now de-
wolves upon me to give the best adj
ministration within my power"