Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-11

| Boston, Dec. 10-By the closest ant
hardest fought election contest which
Boston has known for many years the
| city went Republican today by The mar.
row margin of a few over 2OO1 votes
Postmaster George A. IIibhard helms
elected mayor over John f. Fitzgerald
Democrat. who was a candidate for re.
election.
The revised returns show the follow
ing ballot cast for the mayoralty can
didatas: John A. Coulthurst, Ind
League. 15,S71: John F. Fitzgerald
Dem. 36,o54; George A. Hubbard, Rep,
3S.Of7.
The city went license by a very large
majority, somewhat smaller than in
previous years. however, due to hard
campaign on the part Of the clergy ana
others in an endeavor to keep the sa-
looms cut of the suburbs. Two fea-
lures contributed notably to the return
of a Republican regime after six years
Of Democratic power one being the
heavy vote given the Independence
League candidate. which greatly les
sened the Democratic strength, and the
other the thorough investigation which
a finance committee into the affairs at
City hall in which evidence has been
brought forth alleging irregularities in
the purchasing department ana in the
granting of contracts through which it
was claimed the city had lost many
thousands Of dollars.
While the Independent vote proved
sufficient TO transfer the power from
one Of the leading parties to other it
did not, however, come anywhere near
the strength expected by those who
based their estimates on the recent
state campaign when the Independence
| eaguo polled a vote bigger than the
Democratic party.
COulthurSt, who was formerly Secrc-
tarv of the Democratic state committee,
is exceedingly popular among the
Democracy and il was from
this source that he drew much of his
strength and contributed to the defeat
Of Fitzgerald.
The campaign was strenuous
Mayor Fitzgerald deliver
ing several hundred speeches in every
part OF tie city and only closing his
Ia bors at a late hour last night when
a torchlight parade completed his cam
paIgn endeavors. Postmaster Hubbard
and Mr.. Coulthurst We're hardly less
active and addressed the voters day
and night in all the wards.
The returns indicate that the council
will be strongly Democratic with the
a ldermanic board more closely divided.
The contest for two places on the
school committee has aroused almost
as much interest as the mayoralty
fight. it being maintained that an en-
deavor was being made to force the
scnool committee into politics. The re-
turns point to the election of both Re-
publican candidates for the school
James 3. Magenis and DR..
D. D. Scannell
Mayor-elect George A. Hibbard to-
night gave out the following statement
the election:
81 have been elected mayor of Bos-
ton. l appreciate fully the great re-
sponsibility which goes with that i'm
portant trust. I thank the people of
Boston for this expression of confidence
in me. l thank those gentlemen who
have so generously given of their time
in my behalf. l thank the officers and
members of the Republican city COM
mittce for their loyalty to the cause
for which l stand. as well as those.
who. forsaking party ties. made posi-
hle this result
81 deeply appreciate the courtesy and
fairness Of the press.
LAS mayor I shall give to Boston
an economical, non-partisan adminis-
tration of the affairs of the city for
the next two years"
The Republican candidates. James
3. Magenis and DR.. d. d. Scannell.
were elected to the school committee
by Il comfortable lead, defeating Mrs.
Julia Duff. a former member of the
board. and John E. Potts, the Demo-
cratic candidate
In the fight for the street commits
over which there was a
spirited contest. Salem d. Charles
Democrat won out over the Republican
candidate, c. NJ Draper. by vote Of
, 10 l.
The returns Of the aldermanic vote
show that the board will be Democrat
c, 8 10 :.
While big vote was early brought |
out to the polls today over so per cent |
Of the vote being cast before l O'Clock. |
the total vote was considerably below |
the record and not up to that of the |
last two or three elections. The first !
half of the day was clear but heavy |
1ownpour of rain continued through |
)ut the afternoon until the close of the |
polls, which doubtless resulted in the |
loss Of many votes for all parties.
Tonight the heavy rain diminished |
the size of the crowd. Notwithstanding |
several hundred Hubbard supporters
carrying brooms and led by a band |
marched through Newspaper row and !
several Of the down town streets dur
ing the evening loudly cheering their