Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-08
A GENERAL DEMOCRATIC VICTORY.

Tho democrats won a victory ia Bur
ington Tuesday, re-elcctng Mayor
Burke. although by reduced ma jority
Of ln as compared with last year, when
he had "A majority OF 2S5 over Goodell,
republican, and Martin, socialist. and re-
tanning control of the city council, the
board of aldermen remaining a tie. While
politics does not prevail in the school
board rs in other branches of the govern
mcnt. il is worthy of note that the polit-
zeal complexion Of that body has been
changed for the first time in year. The
republicans redeemed the second ward.
securing an old-tme majority for both
ward and city tickets.
Under the circumstances the republicans
have every reason to be gratifed over the
showing made, and the only reason for
regret is that so many mistakes were
made by republicans with good intentions.
which contributed to the lessenine of the
vote for the republican candidates. If
there had been less effort to project into
the maNoralty contest questions which
for the msyoralty, the result might have
been different
When one stops to consider that the
republicans conceded at the outset that
Mayor Burke could not be defeated this
year, and it was generally predicted that
Mr.. Biselow headed foriorn hope, after
Others had refused TO allow the use Of
their names as candidate it becomes evil
dent that the republican candidate for the
ma yoralty made a credtable campaign,
and one that has strengthened him per-
sonally in every way. His opponent knew
that lie was IN tie race, to say the
least: and he has shown that with other
conditions favorable, he could make Il
swimming race
There is one feature of the campaign
which has had wholesome effect and
that !s the discussion of the finances and
expenditures Of the city, which figured so
largely in the speeches made at the diff
ferent rallies Comment on the street q.
onstrated that the people wan. to know
more about the manner in which their
money is being spent, and they will insist
upon knowing each month not only the
sums that have been spent but also the
principal items of expense The cam
pagn Just ended has made it impossible
for any administration to withhold in
formation from the people without dis
astcr.
1nasmuch as the chief issue IN the cam
pacn was made the public wharf by the
democrats and the project was heartily
endorsed by the republicans, there ought
70 be no question about the consummatio
of the project the coming summer The
republicans had a project of securing tho
adjustment of tie trouble so as to avoid
further expense and at the same time
secure q public wharf. 1t remains to be
seen whether the wharf will materia,ize
during the present twelve months or
whether 1t VIII he nurScd along in the
courts during another year to serve as a
political football at another city election.
The people are likely to get their eyes
open to this game, f four years eapso
without the success of the project
Mayor Burke will have majority of
the council and the same number OF alder
mon that he had during the past year
and It is now up to him to give us a pub
lie wharf lie will certainly have the
support OF the people, and the republicans
on the board will not be foolish enough to
put any block in his way for the purpose
OF playing politics, The community wants
public wharf, and If Mayor Burke can
not cause one 10 materlaiZe he will inevi-
tably give way to some other man who
can
our readers will be Interested in a
comparative table showing The total vote