The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-03-21
PARTY LINES WILL GO TO SMASH
IN SPOKANE CITY
ELECTION.
Mayor L. Frank Boyd Will Have
Strong Fight for denomination
by the Republicans.
SPOKANE, March 21.-Although

SPOKANE, March 21.-Although 1T
is yet six weeks before the municipal
election will be held in this city, the
political pot has begun to boil, and at
the present time the indications are
that party lines will be as badly
broken up as they were two years
ago, when there were no less than four
candidates in the field for mayor
Neither the democrats nor republicans
have yet held their conventions, but
already there are two candidates in the
field for mayor-C. H. Bungay, socialist
and H. l.. Lilienthal, Independent.
In the republican ranks there are
number of men who are willing to
serve the people in the capacity of
chief executive of the city. One who
mas already avowed his candidacy and
asked for the support of the party is
the present mayor, L. F. Boyd, who, in
published statement, gives number
Of reasons why he thinks he is entitled
to a second term. Mayor Boyd has,
however, made a great many enemies
during his administration, and as
large faction of the local republicans
is fighting MIN, there seems to be but
little chance for him to secure the
nomination.
E. D. Sanders, who was defeated in
the republican convention by Boyd
two years ago, is also a candidate.
Acuff Would Run Well.
Although he does not stand well
with the leaders of the party on ac-
ton, w. H. Acuff is conceded to be the
strongest man that the republicans
could put up. Two years ago Mr.. Acuff
ran on the ticket of the municipal
league, and finished less than 100 votes
behind Boyd, the regular republican
nominee. Acuff is now in the east and
has announced that he is a candi-
date.
w. H. Boyd at present president of
the council, has been prominently men
toned for mayor on the republican
ticket, and may become a candidate.
On the democratic side, City Comp
troller Floyd Daggett seems to have
the lead at the present time, although
several Their candidates have been
mentioned. Daggett stands well with
the machine and has an excellent
chance for the nomination, but he has
many opponents in the party, some
of whom declare that if he is nomin-
ated an independent democratic ticket
will be put into the field.
important issue of the campaign, is
the question of the granting of fran
chises. For several years past it has
been almost impossible for any cor
poration, with the exception of the
Washington Water Power company,
the Spokane Gas Light company and
the Pacific States Telephone company
to secure a franchise.
Finally the Spokane Traction, at the
millionaire mining man, broke through
and obtained franchises for street car
lines on several streets. Since that
time this company has been fought
at every turn by the Washington
Power company, and has had several
franchises turned down. At the pres
ent time an independent telephone
company and an indepedent gas COM
pany are trying to get franchises, but
Last week a petition was circulated
asking that a charter amendment be.
submitted at the next election provid-
ing that the people have right to vote
on all franchises. Although this pc
tition was in circulation but two days,
| it is claimed that it received. enough
signatures to compel the council to
submit it. At the last meeting of the
council this petition was referred to
| a committee. It's promoters claim
that this was done to delay it till too
| late to give it the necessary publica
| ton and declare that if it is not taken
up and submitted at the next meeting
of the council a writ of mandate will
| be asked for.
A feature of the campaign is the &C
ton of the young republicans employed
at the court house. who have declared
| that Charles B. Hopkins must keep
his hands off the municipal campaign.
They have held several meetings and
are working hard to create a senti-