The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-03-23
S|MMERING
AND VAPOR IS Dense
Much Talk But Very Little Do
In The Approaching NUM-
cipal Election.

The Commission form of govern
ment continues to furnish the princl-
pal topic of conversation on the
streets of Hattiesburg, but an atmos-
phere of mystery APPARENTLY envelops
the situation, so far as the attitude OF
prospective candidates for mayor and
commissioner is concerned.
Old-time residents if this city say
that never before has there been a
time when aspirants for municipal Of
/ flee displayed such a remarkable de-
gree of reticence. 1t is known that
number of citizens have told their
friends that they would probably be
candidates for office, but this has
been whispered so quietly and secret
ly that the general public is left in
the dark.
The reason for the adoption of such
a course is purely a matter if specu-
lation. Why any citizen should de-
sire to become a candidate for any
municipal office, and hesitate to make
that fact public. is more than the aver
age thinking man can figure out and
has occasioned no little comment in
political circles.
The communication of Mr.. r. S.
Hall, published in these columns yes
terday, has furnished a new topic of
conversation in this connection, and it
is suggested that the prospective can
didates are holding back awaiting the
outcome of a suggestion to select can
ddates by the convention method
preferring to await the result of the
various ward meetings, in the event
this course should be adopted.
= While Mr.. Halls suggestion has
I met with approval in many quarters
= there are many who do not favor any
, kind of departure from the selection
d of candidates by the primary election
a law now in effect, the argument ad
a vanced being that convention does
n not in any sense represent the senti
z. ment of the holders of the balance o
d power, while on the other hand there
Y are those who say the matter nigh
|. be more satisfactorily and economical
L ly settled by the plan suggested b,
d Mr. Hall.
:, Whatever may be the cause of th
n so-called timidity or bashfulness o
J. prospective candidates, it is an undis
IS putable fact that citizens of Hatties
/ burg are anxious to have this veil Q
t, mystery removed from the face of tn
o. situation. 1t is argued that if a ma
L. really desires to be elected to an o.
O. flee, there can or should be no goo
" reason why he should hesitate to lie
IN the people know of his intentions.
IL 1t is generally understood that ther
ID will be numerous candidates for MAJ
or and commissioners, but up to tn
W present time but comparatively few c
Is these have been located by the gel
S, eral public, the fact having been COZ
IN fined, in a majority of instances, |
lie an inner sacred circle of intimat
70 friends.
I'd 1t was generally believed that whe
r. the charter should be issued the a
g. mosphere would be clarified of all tn
mystery surrounding the matter an
that the campaign would open
earnest, but this, it apears, has M
been the case. The charter has bee
in the office of the city clerk fl
n about two weeks, and the situate
r remains practically the same.
~ Heretofore, municipal campaigns
Hattiesburg have usually opened
January and by this time the situate
ell should have, under ordinary conc
lp- tions, become rather tense, al
is it is believed that unless som
In thing shall be done in the immedia
he future to liven up matters, the gener
lat public will become Indifferent and
AK. will be amy mans race