The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-09-04

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was elected Tuesday by majority Of y
over Michael j. Moran. the democrats
and citizens candidate, and William Fan
ming, independent. The result OF the con
test, which continued without a lct-up
from early morning until late at night,
was announced Just before III o'clock.
nearly an hour after closing the boxes on
the second ballot. Mr.. Barber's victory
was greeted with more rampant enthus-
iasm than has been seen at local cam
paign in years, and the celebration in
which his supporters INDUCED lasted
nearly until daylight Wednesday The
FIRST BALLOT.
Total, l,557
Necessary for choice, 77o
II. G.. Barber, 7S
NJ. i. Moran, 625
William Tanning, IA
Scattering, 0
Defective, q
SECOND BALLOT.
Total. l,5eI
Necessary for choice, 796
II. G.. Barber, SO9
NJ. j. Moran 7l2
William Tanning. 90
Scattering, 8
Defective. o
The victory of Mr.. Barber was due
mainly to the fact that he had better
organization than his opponents, made q
more thorough and systematic campaign
and was consequently able to get out .
larger proportion OF his total strength.
The Moran workers, however, were not Q
very great ways behind and the manner
in which they got in their men caused
worry to appear on the faces of the Bar
bar Sfa IN nj
Fanning's strength was something of an
enigma and the size of his vote on the
first ballot was on the whole a surprise.
In spite of the fact that every available
N town and nearly all the liv-
cry teams were pressed into service, the
voting was conducted with very little
trouble. All sides seemed to be well or
ganized, and got their men to and from
the polls with ''neatness and dispatch"
The freemen's meeting was called to
order at o'clock by Constable A. w. j.
Wilkins and the balloting began imme-
1iately. There was some delay at the
start because the check lists furnished the
official checkers were different from that
posted in the lower corridor. The trouble
resulting from this blunder was lessened,
however, by bringing up the "official' list
rom downstairs and posting it where ref
srence to it could be made easily. For Is
,r 20 minutes after the opening of the
lolls the voting was rather light, but
ems from the outlying districts and the
actories began to arrive, and the press
teadily increased. From u until l30
he hall was jammed with men waiting
o vote, large portion of them coming
rom the Estey organ factory which
losed at noon.
Early in the morning supporters of Mr..
Barber began to circulate the story that
'Ir. Moran could not accept the Office if
lected because he was not naturaliZed,
Congressman Haskins being one of the
lost active ,disseminators Of this cam
aign yarn. Mr.. Moran denied the state
tent absolutely to everyone who ques-
oned him about it. Candidate Tanning
lso peddled the story assiduously, despite
he fact that Mr.. Moran told him it was
OF true.
All the people that Festival hall would
were packed within its un-
and smoke-ridden recesses when
le box was turned at 3 o'clock, and they
aited in a state of repressed excitement
n the result to be announced. Some
inntes before the vote was given, Of
cially the news came by wireless" to
9TH Barber and Moran headquarters that
lere was no choice. This rumor only
rived to heighten the tension, and when
Unstable Wilkins confirmed the report
|, reading the vote there was great ex-
tement. While the board of civil au-
ority was making arrangements for
cond ballot, workers for Mr.. Moran and
r. Barber were scurrying in all direc-
ons in an effort to get prepared to "do
all over again" Automobiles and
ice recalled, and in very few moments
ere speeding after the men who had
en- brought to the polls and taken home
few hours before After some discus
m the board of civil authority decided
keep the boxes open from until 10
lock, despite the fact that this made
cessary the closing of the balcony and
llery of the auditorium in which the
nnett- -Moulton company was booked to
pear in the evening.
Those who thought that the first ballot
S strenuous changed their minds soon
er the second ballot began. Several
lots when the polls were opened for
second time, and for two hours check
/, ballot clerks and other election Of
ais were made to hustle as if something
re potent than the Big Stick itself
re right at their heels. And they were
the only ones who were hustling
ner. Men who thought they were
,ut all in at 3 O'Clock found themselves
oued with more energy than ever, and
ny who had shown little interest in
first fight (if there were many such)
into the game because they just
ldn't help breathing the exciting con-
ion which was in the atmosphere. Mr..
ming issued a poster to this effect:
ne statement of the Moran supporters
t / have withdrawn is unqualifedly
e. Stand by me and T will be elected"
nearly as could be ascertained, how
r, no active Moran man had time to
ze any such statement.
fter 6 o'clock things became even
'e strenuous than they were during the
and as the evening wore on it was
lent that the second vote would be as
e if not larger than the first. From
until the boxes were closed the
md time there was brief breathing
l. apparently because all sides had
ne their damdest" and were unable
er the circumstances to do a great
more. But when the last man had
lily been let inside the rail and the
CONTINUED on PAGE Three.)