The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1905-04-04
BATTLE OF
THE BALLOT
Chicago's Municipal Election is
Being Held Today-Municipal
Ownership the Issue

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
Judge Edward F.. Dunno, of the circuit |
court and the republican candidate, I
John NJ Harlan, son of the United !
States supreme court justice. The So
cialists have a ticket in the field head
ed by John Collins, as the mayoralty
candidate, and a fourth ticket has been
put up by the prohibitionists with
Oliver NJ. Stewart at its head.
City ownership Of street railways is
the question that has figured most
prominently n the campaign. 1t can
hardly be said. however. to be an issue
of the fight as both of the leading
parties 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 obstacles beset
the plans of those who desire that the
city should own and operate this great
public utility. 1t is, therefore, a ques-
ton of ways and means that forms
the chief issue. A certain element is
for overcoming all obstacles at what
ever cost and assuming immediate con-
troll of the street railways. Others be-
lieve that the only practicable plan is
to grant an extension of franchise to
the present operating company and ar
range 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 plat
formfi on the other hand, seeks to con-
vey 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 presumable 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 Sc
curities of these companies are out for
franchise, and nothing short of a
franchise. 1t is presumable. therefore,
that Mr.. Harlan will favor the SUBJ
hitting of an ordinance to the people
at as early a date as possible for their
approval or condemnation by means OF
prove he will aid such an ordinance
TO its passage, and it will become a
law. It~the people vote such an ordi-
nance down, he will assist in having
another ordinance drafted, aiming to
meet the objections of the people and
persist in this until the people and the
companies agree on a measure. The
question of the provisions of such ar
ordinance would be in the hands of
hrst the people. through meetings ir
the various wards, and. second, the al.
dermen directed by the people to SEE
that their wishes were followed.
Mr.. Harlan appeals to the conserva
i've voters. the quiet people who de-
sire to avoid trouble, and who believe
the question should be settled outside
the courts OF law. He has pursued ;
vigorous campaign, stuInping the cit!
thoroughly. He. is not considered es
pecially strong with his own party
however, as is shown by the fact tina
the betting odds are against him. Thi
IS regarded as chiefly due to the fac
mat he bolted the republican conven
toh eight years ago and ran independ
ent' splitting his party vote up badly.
Judge Dunno and his hackers repre-
sent the uncompromising end of tn
municipal ownership question. The.
point to the wretched service. the anti
quated cars. the vast amount of wat
cred stock on which the people ar
paying interest. the overcrowding o
'ne cars. and the antagonism of tn
company to the public. Judge Dunn
believes in strenuous measures. He be
e'es IN municipal ownership-and d
u'at is meant immediate steps in
vigorous manner to obtain immedat
ownership. He separates ownershi
IRON operation, however and says tina
question to be determined by tn
'eierendum. He proposes to accom-
push immediate ownership either b
ouying the unexpired franchises an
'o'ihg stock outright. with the con
zen. OF the companies, or on condem
muon proceedings.
Inc vote tomorrow is expected to D
e largest ON record. The voters fe'
nat though the present agitatio
may come to nothing no matter who
eeted. there is at least a chance, an
ehanee that never before has bee