Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1909-05-24
Monday, May "a, 1909
CITY CAMPAIGN.

I JUDGING by the returns of the primaries
OF the two parties there will be a small
vote cast at the coming city election The to-
tai vote OF city election always falls consid-
erably below that of Presidential election Last
November large vote was cast. The Demo
Gratis made an aggressive fight. The party was
more united than Tor years and had a fair ticket
IT has been feared that the same energy which
marked the campaign last November would be
put into the city campaign as a sSrmish prepar-
atory TO the general election OF next year But
50 Tar there IS no indication OF a revivihcd De-
mocracy in the city canvass The Democrats
made considerable effort 10 get out several can
didates for the nomination for Mayor. No one
approached by the leaders seemed to be par
ucularly anxious to run. Mr. Dubell finally con
scented to permit the use OF his name and would
have taken the nomination had he been able TO
get it without contest But the time for hl-
ing the Democratic names closed without Mr.
Dube appearing in the race.
Some of the Democrats feared that Mr. Du-
bell would not be in sympathy with the Demo
cratic leaders who control the politics OF this
city. His nomination might have meant change
IN the control Of the party in this city and have
some bearing upon the campaign OF next year
il was soon evident that Mr. Dube could not
be nominated without a contest He would
have polled a great many Democratic votes, but
il the controlling leaders opposed him he would
have had little chance of securing the nominal
ton.
During the debate among leaders over the
natter DIR. Spruance came ,.D Dr. Spruance
served one term member of the Legisa-
ture from this city in the old days. He was
then a very young man. He is in the prime of
life now With DR.. Spruance in the field it be-
came evident that any Democrat to beat him
would have to make a hard fight And the op-
position looked hopeless from the moment that
Mr. Ford made a modest announcement that he
was interested in the campaign only to the ex-
tent that he was going to vote for Dr. Spru-
ANGEL
Mr.. Ford has been through many hard po-
htical hight IN this state both in his own party
and against the Republicans. With Mr.. Ford
pledged 70 support DIR. Spruance-merely with
his vote-the difficulty of defeating Dr. Spru-
ance for the nomination became obvious. DR..
Spruance Is now the Democratic candidate for
Mayor Although strong with the workers of the
party the nominee IS not apt TO draw out the
independent Democratic vote which is some
times stirred 10 decided action. The journals
tic director of the party has been silent upon
his merits or dement's 1t has only marveed
! that no other Democrat has sought the nomina-
ton Therefore, looking at the campaign from
the Democratic camp, it does not seem likely at
this time that the Democrats will put very much
energy into their canvass. This. however
should not cause the Republicans to relax They
should keep pulling away and get ont as large
vote as possible. They should not think that
Dec"use 1,0 "oeia'9 diS uo@llg tney can uole
and all sleep together The Democrats might
wake up and catch the Republicans mapping.
The best course is to take no chances, but ia
conduct a lively and energetic campaign The
s Republican ticket is composed of young men
full of vigor and enthusiasm Mr. Taylor and
Mr. White displayed much energy during the
campaign Mr. Ross gave such general salts.
faction as city treasurer that no one thought oi
opposing him for denomination, but his election
/ will not be unanimous by any means.
The campaign will be brief. II should be Wig
orous.