Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-09
j CONTEST FOR
The MAYORALTY.

supposed that Thomas A. flsher'
he present Mayor of the city, Woulo
ave no competitor at the primary
lection next spring. These supposi,
ons, however were suddenly dlssi-
ated this week when two candidates
Or the position-James M. Duncan
md F. f. Marbury-announced them
elves. Others, it is said, are twlriing
heir hats in their hands undecided
ct whether or no they should cast
aem into the ring.
II is often a difficult matter to IN
uce representative men to assume
ae position of Mayor of the city, and
times the incumbents have walk
yer in succeeding themselves. IL
bte bellum days, when the term wa:
he year, William D. Massey, hele
le position for three succeeding
ears. In 1861 William Price wa:
ected with but little effort, and
aving been deposed by the military
A. Ware, keeper of livery stable
Washington street, was elected to'
rec terms. In 1864, however, north
n people then residents of the city
arted reform movement for the
rpose of getting possession OF the
fy. A man named Wcstcott was Sc
ted as the candidate for Mayor,
d one of the most active campaigns
er witnessed in this city set IN,
bile meetings were held in old Lib.
Hall, which were attended by
ndreds. Westco.s. main issue was
old Lancasterian school house on
site of the present Washington
,ool building. At that time the gov.
,-,.,,7tt 1,cl -.:-ed the building ant
.r@y-s,s;ng vsed as roost for con-
.rr 49, ses- who had been
2..s c,; Z 3who were tiochine
,lsr1 FEe stirred up consid
bible enthusiasm when he stated
lat a building erected by George
ashineton for public school purposes
as being used by Virginia contra
.nds to whom rations were lssuec
the government. Ware made no
Inyass and treated the novemen
th indifference. Westcott was de-
ated, as were all his coadjutors who
ID coveted places under the city gov
nment.
In 1866, after the return of thf
exandrians from the south, this
rthcrn element made another at
npt to capture the city. Hugt
than was the democratic candi-
tie for Mayor, and G=2-ge Tucker
lawyer, later candidate for Con-
ess, was his competitor. Negroes
re not allowed to vote at that time
Tucker voted hundreds OF TINS
ment and at the close of the cleo
n claimed he had a decided ma
ity and demanded the keys OF the
yor's office. They were refused HIM
Paul r. Hambrick, military rule
the city at the time, entered th'
Droglio. Latham followed the OK
bic of the late Edwin M. Stanton.
stuck to his post, and in 1869
Ekcr made higher aims by attempt
to get the republican nomlna'
/ for Congress.
fairs progressed smoothly for a
TT time until others aspired to the
yo-'s Office. Latham defeated VII
H. Marbury and George Eryar
ines. but was finally endorsed By
liam N. Berkeley, a republican.
he position was obtained in latcl
rs with but little cxertion by h
kapcr, CORTLAND H. Smith, J. 3
nsoa, and J. 7. Bcckham. At ths
c of the iatter's four-ycars' term
Il b. Smoot, was nominated by the
ocrats. ant, +. T. Lucas, rcpub'
b, antagnrizcd him. The vote was
close. Mr.. Smoot winning by be-
en thirty and forty votes. Mr.
lot died December "a. 1887, whcr
y. Downham, president of the
I'D of Aldermen was elected h1
.s se succeed him. Mr.. nownhan
=, tied at 'hr general clectlor
S ever Henry Strauss. but the
\ iaCe ated MIR. Downham. in 1891
IS was succeeded by 'lohnG
ne in 1895, but he subsequent,
yasc and was succeeded b. Luth
thompson. who was succeed
s. gorge L. Simpson, after al
g2 contest. Mr.. simpsoa held .llt
;icp until 1904. when he was de-
81 ~ F. J. Patf. who received
:::ty ::n ,@:.iess:;t. Tbs !-:tse /: