The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-02-19
Big Bets We're Made.

Big Bets We're Made.
 The sporting element was out in full force. The faces of well known men whose profession no person can honestly state, hiosSomed at each station. George Ward and Chief Wier were the objects of this elass's eontumely. There was a general wagering of the coln of the realm and 1t Is safe to say that many thous- and dollars changed hands after the result was known. The bets ranged from one to a thousand dollars.
 Yesterday afternoon, one of the largest bets was wagered. One of the best known men in Birmingham risked $1000 that George Ward would be Mayor, and this large amount was instantly covered. It is needless to say that these betters were enthusiastic supporters of their fayorite, and that to them, a thousand dollars was little, This wager was made about o'clock, when Mayor Ward was boosting that he had carried every ward in the oity, save tho first, and Captain O'Brien was confident that his victory was oer- tain.
 Certain Concessions Made.
 One of the features of the day was the fact that Captain OBrien issued bull i, letns. The first was a pamphlet setting forth some questions which that candi- date propounded to Mayor Ward, and which Captain O'Bren considered quite  pamphlet set forth the O'Hrlen boast that he had carried the day by 800. The Ward contingency did not issue a single pub lished statement, but both the candidate and his manager boldly, openly, and promiseously stated their confidence.
 An interesting feature of the day was that by noon. the Ward forces had con- ceded the First Ward to Captain O.Brien and the cohorts Of Captain o'Brien had virtually admitted that Ward would car " the Third and Fourth wards. It was mutually agreed that fight for the Second would be unavoidable, with Cap tain OBrien trifle the stronger, and that the voting would be close in the Fifth with Mayor Ward little in ad- vance.
 "siIent' and Loud" Vote.
 Te inc casual voter, ii was thought that otBrien would carry the First and Sec ond and probably the Fifth that Ward would carry the Third, Fourth and Sixth. and probably the Ninth; that the race would he close in tho Seventh, Eighth and Ninth, with the indication that OBrieu was stronger In the Seventh, and Ward stronger in the Eighth and Ninth. This was the impression of the man who was not onenly stating His enthusiasn. The loud vote was for OBrien, and had one unfamiliar with the race and the candidates. and what they stood for, Vis-
 
 he would have carried away the impress sion that 0'Brien would have been the winner If was agreed however, that the "silent' vote--that which is quietly cast by the man who appreac ches the polls and then goes away-was for Ward. For this peaeen the friends of Captain oBrien were confident throughout, and the friends of Ward were saving little, hut believing confidently that he would be the winner.
 Subcommittee compimented
 On account of the fact that there oe- e1rred little hitch at any of the polls, the subcommittee of the city demo- arsile executive committee was generally complmented
 One of the features which received the most unanimous approval was that which compelled a voter to draw a bal lot from the hand of one of the man agers This prevented q mans fixing his ballot amid the clamoring of the 'hanger on," and prevented too, the casting of q ballot which contained single crossed" name.
 The election was quietly conducted and with dignity. For this reason the com mttee which had charge was eompn- mented.
 The subcommittee will begin the off, fcial count tomorrow. and will finish to- morrow night. The members of the com mttee are the returning officers of the nrir1arv and will take charge or the boxes as soon as they are sealed.
 The vote was heavy and that there was little personal feeling was one reason for tile characteristic peace and dignity.
 
 BEAUTIFUL COSTUME POSES