Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-04-05
OTHER CLOSE
| ELECTIONS.

ELECilQNS.t
|; During the past week it was seen
by all who took survey of the field
that the election yesterday would De
close, and that the successful candl-
date would probably win by nose
! only. The result shows that the Tore;
cast was correct, as Thomas A. Fisher
while securing the nomination by a
safe majority, did not infict Water
loo defeat on his opponent, James ii.
Duncan. During the early part OF the
day it was nip and tuck as the two
kept head ito head in the political
stadium, but as the day waned there
were faint indications that the pre-
! sent incumbent, while not mounted
upon a tidal wave, would forge slight
ly ahead of his competitor.
When the result of the contest IN
the Fourth ward was announced,
showing majority of twenty for Mr.
Fisher, the friends of his opponent re.
garded that as an unfavorable omen,
as much had been expected oy them
from that quarter of the city. The
announcement that Mr.. Duncan had
carried the Third ward by eight sent
m q slight glare from his camp, but
when it was shown that tie existed
in the First ward, and Mr.. Fisher still
leading his antagonist by twelve ma
jority, all eyes were turned upon the
Second ward 1t was believed Mr.
Fisher would carry that ward, and sc
he did by majority of forty-seven.
A hurrah went up in almost every
section as the telephone wires were
kept hot in circulating the news.
In 1904 there was an exciting con-
test for the Mayoralty between the
late George L. Simpson, the incum-
bent, and F. j. Paff, then President
of the Common Council. 1t was i'm
possible to forecast the result, the
forces of both being about even in
numbers. Mr.. Paff was triumphant by
the small majority of forty eight.
A more exciting contest still was
that between the late John B. Smoot
and Robert 7. Lucas in 1885. AS Is
occasionally the case, at that time
there was an unwise movement in
Alexandria to make change Of of
ficials. Some disgruntlcd democrats
were ready to compromise on a re-
publican for Mayor instead of Mr.
Smoot. All negroes were allowed to
vote at that time, and an inoffensivo
pump which had long stood upon the
southwest corner of Prince and Colum.
bus streets, in front of Mr. Shoots
home was the most conspicuous issue
in the political battle. 1t had quench-
ed the thirst of thousands probably
since colonial days, but about thirty
years ago II had become a nuisance
in measure. Most OF the darkeys
residing in the neighborhood resort.
ed thther, some for the purpose Of
procuring water. but the greater num-
Der, male and female, to gossip and
to laugh and quarrel until the wee sma'
hours. MIR. Smoot and his neigh
hours, often had their rest disturbed
by loquacious negroes, and he final
ly obtained permission to change the
location Of the pump from the cor
ner to the alley south of his resi-
dencc: The negroes looked upon this
act as a sin unto death, while many
hostile whites lampooned Mr.. Smoot
to a great extent. The pump was the
main issue, and hundreds Of both
races rushed to the polls like blind
bridled horses and deposited their bal
lots for MIR Lucas. 1t was feared
by Mr.. Shoots friends that he would
be unable to stand against this tidal
wave, but when the votes were counted
it was found that he led by twenty
five.
O.