The daily sentinel., 1910-01-06

a
luxury. it was at their own expense.
for the candidates were prohibited by
the new charter from taking delin-
quent voters to the polls in convey
ances. If it could be proved that a
carriage was used at his request or
with his consent. the candidate
would be disqualified. The old ward
division OF the voting was abolished
by the charter, and the voting was
done from the city as a whole.
When reports on election returns
came out, and it was learned that
W. II. Bannister had COS votes for
first choice, d. w. Aupperle 465 and
Thomas NJ Todd but 362, there were
loud cries of joy from Bannister's
friends; but the joy was too prema-
ture.
Thomas NJ. Todd. third choice of
the firsts. had yet to be heard from.
According to the system, only first
choices We're first considered; but II
is necessary for candidate to have
majority of all the votes cast. A
mere plurality over the other candi-
dates will not do. There were 1904
votes cast in Grand Junction, which
necessitated at least 903 votes for the
victorious candidate.
According to the system, when the
first selections are counted and one
candidate is found to have big lead
over the others. as did Bannister, but
does not have n majority of the votes
cast, it is necessary to count again
the ballots, this time considering only
the second selections. This result is
added to the first set of figures, and,
If any candidate has a majority, he
is declared elected. If, however, one
candidate has simply plurality, it
is necessary to count the third selec-
tions. The figures from the third
count are added to the first and sec
ond, and the man receiving the ma
jority wins If no candidate has q
majority this time. the election is de-
clared void, and another election is
necessary. In the second election.
however, only the two candidates go
before the people who received the
highest vote at the first election.
At Grand Junction it was neces-
sary to go to the third selection count
before anyone got majority.
Todd received 362 first-choice votes
2e2 second-choice votes and SS6.
third-choice votes. making total OF
1850. enough to give him major
ity.
Bannister, the peoples first choice,
received sos first-choice votes, 9S
second choice and i3 third-choice,
giving him total of 739. Aupperle,
who had been regarded as the proba-
BILE victor. received 465 first-choice,
I43 second and l45 thlrd-choice
votes, with total of 753.
The election of the five commits
sioners, OF whom the commissioner OF
public affairs, Mr.. Todd. corresponds
to the mayor, are vested with greater
powers than ever before in American
municipal history. and yet they are
directly answerable to the people, be-
cause of the recall provision and be-
cause practically all legislative pow
ers. as contrasted with administra-
tive, are vested in the hands of the
voters, directly.
Barring the possibility of the re-
call provision being called into requi-
sition, a provision which permits 20
per cent of the voters. at any time 90
days after election, to compel an Of
fee e-holder to stand for reelection II
they do not believe he is fulfilling his
duty or is unfit to hold Office, and the
necessity for occasional elections
when the initiative and referendum
features OF the charter are used in
regard to franchises and important
amendments Grand Junction Will be
free from elections for two years, al
ter having endured four elections in
seven months.
The commissioner OF public affairs
corresponding to mayor--and the
water commissioner were elected for
a term of four years at salary OF
$1,000 year. The other three COM
missioners were elected for two years
and their salary is $1,000 a year.
The charter requires that the COM
missioners devote all their time to the
city's affairs, SO candidates have been
limited to those who have no other
occupation, or whose wealth permits
their giving up business for city du-
ties
Now. Mr.. Todd commissioner OF
public affairs. is going to have some
lively times in Grand Junction, in
spite of the fact that the charter,
which has abolished local option and
has promised perpetual prohibition.
has removed the primary cause for
political dissension. The introduce
tion of the search-and-seizure law,
which permits any place. private
house or otherwise. to be entered and
liquor taken possession of, If found
there, promises exciting times
Grand Junction has long made "A
fight for prohibition. and the boom
ing town of the western slope be-
lieves it will be. ultimately, the lead
ing iobbing city in the west. The