The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-03
CHICAGO VOTES TOMORROW
GREATEST CAMPAIGN IN HIS
TORY OF CITY WAS ENDED
TODAY
ways Is the Leading Issue of
the Election.

! CHICAGO, April 3.-One of tn.
| fiercest and most momentous munich
pal campaigns in the political history
of Chicago came to an end today. To.
morrow the voters will cast their bal
lots for mayor and other city officers
to serve during the ensuing two years.
The democratic candidate for mayor is
Edward F. Dunno, of the circuit court,
and the republican candidate john NJ
Harlan, son of the United States SUI
preme court justice. The socialists
nave a ticket in the field headed by
John Collins, as the mayoralty candi-
date, and fourth ticket has been put
up by the prohibitionists with oliver
M. Stewart at it's head
City ownership of street railways is
the question that has figured most
prominently in the campaign. 1t can
hardly be said, however, to be an issue
of the fight, as both of the leading par
ties are pledged in it's favor. The only
question wherein they differ is as to
how the desired result-municipal
ownership-is to be brought about.
The franchises of a number of the
street railway lines have expired or
are about to expire. Yet many obsta-
cles meet the plans of those who de-
sire that the city should own and OPP
crate this public utility. 1t is, there
that forms the chief issue. A certain
element is for overcoming all obstacles
at whatever cost and assuming imme-
diate control of the street railways
Others believe that the only practi-
cable plan is to grant an extension of
| franchise to the present operating
company and arrange for the city to
gradually take over the lines.
| While immediate municipal owner
ship appears to be fundamentally and
physically impossible, yet the demo-
cratic platform declares tentatively for
such immediate ownership, although
really founded on the principle of steps
to obtain municipal ownership as soon
as possible. The republican platform,
on the other hand, seeks to convey the
| idea of ultimate municipal ownership
| if the people want it; to let that be
settled by the referendum vote of the
| people.
| 1t is presumab1e that Mr.. Harlan,
the republican candidate, believes in
settling the traction question as soon
as possible. That means a new fran
! chise. For the eastern capitalists,
| who have invested large sums in the
securities of these companies are out
for a franchise, and nothing short of
a franchise. 1t is presumable, there
fore, that Mr.. Harlan will favor the
submitting of an ordinance to the peo-
pie at as early a date as possible for
| their approval or condemnation by the
means of a referendum vote. If the
people approve, he VIII aid such an
| ordinance to its passage, and it will
| become law. If the people vote such
an ordinance down, he will assist in
having another ordinance drafted, aim
! ing to meet the objections of the peo-
| pie, and persist in this until the peo-
measure. The question of the provl-
sions of such an ordinance would be in
the hands Of, first, the people, through
meetings in the various wards, and
second, the aldermen, directed by the
people to see that their wishes were
followed.
Mr.. Harlan appeals to the conserva-
tive voters, to the quiet people VINO
desire to avoid trouble, and who be-
lieve the question should be settled
outside the courts of law He mas pur
sued a vigorous campaign, stumping
the city thoroughly. He is not consid-
cred especially strong with his own
party however as is shown by the
fact that the betting odds are against
him. This is regarded as chiefly due
to the fact that he bolted the republi-
can convention eight years ago, and
ran independent, splitting his party
vote up badly.
Judge Dunno and his hackers repre-
sent the uncompromising end Of the
municipal ownership question. They
point to the wretched service, the an
tiquated cars the vast amount of wa
tered stock on which the people are
paving interest, the OvercroWdlng or
the cars, and the antagonism OF the
company to the public. Judge Dunno
believes in strenuous measures. He
believes in municipal ownersnip-im-
mediate steps in Vigorous manner TO
obtain immediate ownership, He sep
arates ownership from operation, now
ever, and sails that is question TO De