The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-28

CHICAGO. Feb. 2s.--With the
opening OF the polls to-day for tho
first direct primaries for the nomi-
nation OF city officers OF Chicago.
there closed the most picturesque
and bitterest municipal campaign ever
waged In the Windy City. Though
each of the eight old line party can
dfdatss for the mayoraity nomination
has declared unequivocaliy for hon.
esty in government and the construc-
ton Of subways. the candidates gen.
orally have made the campaign ono
OF biliingsgate In which the personal
and political record Of every other
candidate have been assafied In terms
Of vituperation arely equalled In
American politics
Apart from the mudslinging the
campaign has been the means Of
demonstrating a new method OF cleo
tioneering-that OF adopting advertiS-
ing on a scale unparalleled in the
nation. Every billboard in Chicago
city Of billboards--has been taken
by the campaign managers, It is es-
timated that more than $780, 600 has
been expended in securing billboard
space. and In printing the immense
20-foot poster cartoons that have
been used by the various candidates
Electric signs OF the most costly type
have been erected In every section OF
the city and small fortune has been
expended In costly banners News
paper advertising has been INDUCED
IN by every one OF the candidates,
while expensive books and pamphlets
| have been thrown broadcast.
Workers. Gixen Time to Vote.
There are $4,000 registered voters
1 III
acted direct primary law workers are
| allowed two hours to go to the polls
on primary day, AS -asult. the
/ campaign managers believe thar be-
| tween 225. 900 and 275,000 votes will
I be cast to-day.
| The unanimous demand of Chicago
new spapers 10 knox "whQ's putting
! up" aroused public sentiment to such
a pitch that nearly all the candidates
were forced to make public their en-
! tire list OF campaign contributions
and expenditures.
| James O'Leary, the handbook king.
who will bet on more different prop
| ositions than Lioyds of London. has
/ figured IL out that the Democrats cam
not lose in the election Of April 4.
! He has wagered immense sums on that
| belief. O'Leary Is also sure Graham
| will be the Democratic nominee. and
| Is oUerlng dig oQQs on Granam uOf1li-
nation. with Carter Harrison as second
| choice John r. Thompson. favored
by the Republican organization. lis tno
betting favorite as the Republican
nominee.
Big Business Backs Banker.
Graham Is said to be the candidat0
| for big business He is a banker.
backed by Roger Sullivan. gas mag
nate.
| Harrison. four times mayor. is
| backed by Hearst and the indepen-
dence party. which fought him so Bit
terly in the past.
g. Edward Dunn is a former mayor.
| Thompson, former county treasurer,
conducts forty popular priced restau-s
| rants successfully and believes hs
/ can run the city as well. He Is In
/ dependently wealthy.
| Governor Deneen's forces are lined
UP behind Smulski. former State treas-s
| urer. who receives some support from
I Mayor Buses followers. Most OF
| the Busse men. however, favor Scuify
! an alderman. Merriman Is backed
| by the progressive reform clement.
| lessor and kinsman of Charles Cranek
| whom President Taft named as minis
ter TO Chicago and Immediately res
| called. Murray. haberdasher, II
charged with entering the race "a
advertise his business. hi
/ Chicago's mayor receives $4,000 ~
year. Se.00n more than the governor
of Illinois. and the term Is four yeara