Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1909-09-25
LOOKING AHEAD FOR
COMING CITY FIGHT
Politicians Preparing for
Lively Scrap in Nov.
Predicted That 1t VIII
Be Short But Very
Strenuous.

Little clouds are beginning to rise
up on the political horizon, the har-
bingers of the November hurricane.
Already the signs are cropping out
that the city will have a tumultuous
| campaign, even though it may be of
the briefest possible duration, and
| that politics of the most condensed
liveliness will make the existence of
voters period of extreme strenuos-
| ity for a week or a fortnight.
The general feeling is that the
| campaign will be short one Coming
| in the midst of the busy season, when
men have plenty to think and tank
| about in the line of CONNER
cial affairs, it is believed the tendency
of whatever conflicting elements there
are will be to quietly feel the way, to
conduct a campaign under cover, as
it were, working up support without
| stirring up the public with mass meet
| ings or heated harangues until the
very last stages of the contest are on.
There is no mayor to be elected this
year, but everybody recognizes that
| the result of the election may have
| tremendous significance and effect on
the next mayoralty contest. Lines are
probably being drawn even now that
| will determine the character of the
mayoralty fight next year, the can
didates and their policies, as well as
their relative strength in the COM
munity.
Three aldermen find their terms ex-
piring with this year They are all
men who have served but one term,
| viz:
| G. Morgan Eldridge.
| Lee Allen.
George NJ Rodgers.
This constitutes half of the alder
manic board. Two of those whose
terms expire have been on the ma
jority side in Council this year, while
one, Alderman Eldridge, has practi-
calIy constituted the minority among
the aldermen on a number of propo-
sitions
None of these aldermen are said to
be 'horsing" after another term. The
job Of an alderman is not the bed
or rose leaves and eau de cologne that
some anticipate that it will be be-
fore they have tried it for term.
The man who gives conscientious at
tention to its duties must surrender
considerable of his time to the public
good His salary, $100 a year, is
pretty meagre compensation, so he
must look to his own conscience and
the applause of the people he serves
as his real recompense. There is
more or less of abuse connected with
the berth, people who are disappoint-
ed in their expectations generally
turning loose a lot of ordinations on
members of the councilmanic body
Cherished plans are frequently laid
on the shelf and the bitterness of dis
appointments is not infrequently the
companion of the alderman who has
ideas and seeks to carry them out.
While it is known that none of the
| three whose terms expire are partic-
ularly anxious to run again, there are
not missing many astute readers of
the political signs who believe that
| they will all three be candidates again
before the people. Alderman Rodgers
has openly expressed his disinclina-
tion for political life, but he has
many friends who will hardly consent
that he drop out of the running when
the starter pulls the gong for the
lineup for the race. Alderman Allen
has also expressed himself somewhat
similarly, although it is known that
if his friends deem it necessary for
him to run to support his municipal
plans that he will probably consent to
make the sacrifice. There are many
friends and admirers of Alderman AL
len, though, who prefer that he dc
|
as his election as alderman for the
next two years would, it is stated, pre-
clude him from being nominated fol
mayor. 1t is not known that Mr.
Allen has any aspirations in the may
orally direction, but there are many
who believe that it will be hard fol
him to resist the efforts of his friend:
to make him candidate in that di.
rection next year if he is not made
ineligible by election for another tern
as alderman. Alderman Eldridge alst
has host of business friends anC
other supporters who will hardly
agree to his withdrawal from council
if they can prevent it.
AS it is by no means foregont
conclusion that the three aldermen
whose terms soon expire will come
before the people for their suffrages
| a few weeks from now, there vii
doubtless be some quiet consideration