The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-02-09
Endorsement Given to Present
Mayor For Reelection
AFTER A SPIRITED DEBATE
Sentiment Expressed That Mayor Mutch
Is "0nly Working Man Who Could Be
Elected"-Candidate for Other City
Offices Also Endorsed Last Night.

| more InaH Hity lIbue uHlVHiSOS NV
in the hall in the Nichols block las
evening to see what action would b
taken in the matter Of endorsing candi
dates for the coming city election. TIL
gathering was called at the instance 0
the Central Labor union, and Presiden
Alex. Ironside temporarily took the chair
with Secretary James Mutch acting a
secretary. On motion of the meeting
both of these officials were asked t
continue in the two capacities. Mr.
Mutch asked to be excused and DAME
Sullivan was accordingly substituted
The meeting. therefore, proceeded witt
Mr. lronsde in the chair and Mr.. Sulii
van acting as secretary.
Trade unionists were asked to give
their views on the political situation, and
Silvio Cardi was the first to respond
In speaking OF the present incumbent il
the mayors office, Mr.. Cardi said that ht
believed Mayor Muteh has served tho
best interests OF the people as well at
any previous holder of the position
Taking it all in all, he said, his had
been a good administration.
George Booth took exception to some
Of Mr. Cardi's statements and asserted
that the mayor had ignored a petition
for better street conditions on Murray
street. which had been presented eleven
years ago. TIe gave his reasons for TAX
ing this position and refused to endorse
Mayor Muteh for another administra-
tion.
Among other members of the meeting
who gave their views of the situation
on Murray street were James Mcdonald
John Biorn and Daniel Sullivan. Mr.
sullivan explained that Murray street
had been neither oiled nor macadamized
because a survey had shown that private
property abutted into the road Mr.
Booth replied that he had been instru-
mental in having the survey made and
that he had several times approached
the proper authorities regarding the mat
ter and received the reply that it would
be taken before the city council. When
later Intercepted, Mayor Mutch said
that such petition had never appeared
before the council during his admins
trations.
Concerning the question of endorsing
candidates for city Offices who hold un.
ion cards, John T. Callaghan said that a
labor ticket was already in the field
and that he would not favor division of
trade umionists in the city election. He
asserted that all of the men named on
the ticket were trade unonists. Thomas
Nichols was inclined to disagree with
the point made by Mr.. Callaghan and
believed that a certain organization had
taken too forward action in the matter.
He also believed that the ticket should
be- undivided, but said that its complex
ion should represent the sentiment of
several hundred unionsts and not of a
few.
A spirited discussion followed, Thorn
as Mercer, John Bjorn, Silvio Cardi,
D. T. Callaghan and Fred w.
Suitor being among those who partici-
pated Messrs. Suitor and Callaghan
said that the ticket mentioned, namely
the Socialist ticket, was the only one
in the country that truly represented
the needs OF the workingmen. OPP
ponents objected to the ticket on the
ground that it was too premature for
the endorsement of the trade union men.
W. w. Russell believed that the name
Socialist attached to the ticket would
spell its doom. All agreed, however.
that the best interests of the union men
rested with harmony Alfred Henry
spoke at some length on the desirability
of favoring the ticket already named,
at the same time urging harmony.
James Mcdonald, while commenting
some of the things for which Socialism
stands. did not believe that party lines
could be consistently carried into mu-
nicipal elections.
A few moments later Mr.. Mcdonald
made a motion that the members of the
trade unions go into the election and
endorse candidates. The motion was
by S. Cardi and carried by a
vote of % to Ia, John Biorn counting
the hands raised for or against the mo-
tion The question of endorsing man
for mayor came up at once, and S. Cardi
moved that the meeting register its rec
of Mayor Muteh. The mo-
tion was seconded by Daniel Keefe
Speaking before the meeting, Daniel Sui.
ivan said that he believed that the pres
mt incumbent was the only workingnan
who could be elected. The motion to
endorse Mayor Mutch was carried by 4
heavy majority.
Endorsements for city clerk were next
n order, and the name of City Clerk !
lanes Mackay was urged by Even Nc |
<enzie. Alfred Henry nominated Gilbert
Phillips for the endorsement of the |
Meeting. w. w. Russell believed that
he man receiving the endorsement
should hold a union card. Chairman
ronside explained that only union men
hould be endorsed. S. Cardi appealed /
he decision, but the chair was sustained |
w oral vote. As Gilbert Phillips was
he only man mentioned for the position
Who held union card, George Maker
uggested that the qualifications of the
mentioned be reviewed by someone ac-
Iuainted with him. Among those who /
proceeded to tell why Mr.. Phillips would
Iualify for the position were Alfred
Ienry, F. w. Suitor and w. w. Russell.
dr. Phillips name was then endorsed
or the position of city clerk and later
S city treasurer.
In the matter of endorsing a man for
rst constable, James Smart moved that
he question of recommending a first
Unstable be passed over.