Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-05

The citizens of Philadelphia tomorrow
win 20 to the polls and record their votes
for or against government by murder in
the biggest political upheaval the city has
seen since at least 1906 when an attempt
by the Republican gang to steal the gas
works was balked by city-wide uprising.
An Unprecedented campaign has been
wnEed for the last six weeks against the
Wares and the Vare-Smth city administra-
tion since Special Detective George a. Epp-
ley was murdered and Mercantile Appraiser
james A. Carey. Assistant District Attorney
John II. Maurer and others we're black
hacked in the Bloody Fifth" Ward on prl-
mary election day.
The entire city shouted its protest, A
, town meeting was held. The Town Meeting
party was launched to overthrow the regime
OF police thuggery and murder United
states Senator Penrose, n large majority OF
the ward leaders who follow the standard
Of state senator James p. McNlchol and
the Democrats Joined the movement against
the Wares and Mayor Smith.
The coalition thus formed has waged a
campaign that has attracted the attention
Of the entire country. and upon the result
Of the balloting tomorrow depends:
The Impeachment OF Mayor Smith.
The oustinE OF william II. Wilson, Ware
feiIDwer, as Director Of Public Safety, and
the removal OF the police from politics.
The complete overthrow of the Ware
Smith city administration
The whirlwind campaign that has been
waked to accomplish these ends will close
with rallies tonight. Both sides con-
fidently claiming victory and the result
appears to be as much in doubt as Il was
on the eve of the famous 1906 election.
DURHAM's PREDICTION
In that year the late Israel W. Durham,
who was leader of the Republican Organ
ization. predicted by a strange coincidence.
the battle that is being fought this year.
He predicted victory for the Independents.
''Once in every twelve years" Durham
told his close friends and followers at a
meeting held after the election that year,
There will be a political uprising in Phil
aeelphia, and the gang will be overthrown.' y
That was just twelve years ago. In 1911,
Just six years after he said this. Rudolph
Biankenburg was elected independent
Mayor of Philadelphia, but the Republican
Organization elected Councils and main
tanned its hold upon City Hall.
The leaders Of the independent move
rnent today are waginS vigorous fight for
the election of City. Councils that will
not be controlled by the Wares and Mayor
smith. They have carried their campaign
iqto' every ward of the city and have en-
phasized the Importance OF the council
and all of the Common Councilmen to be
elected To impeach Mayor Smith and oust
Director Wilson, as the october Grano
Jury recommended, requires 4 two-thirds
vote of Select Council, and the Town Meet
ing party today called upon every voter to
cast his ballot for the Town Meeting cam
didates for Councils to accomplish this.
,The election of a Councils dominated by
the Wares and the city Administration. they
warn the voters, would simply result in the
'whitewashing" OF the Mayor and the Ad-
ministration of the charges OF conspiracy
70 murder, malfeasance in Office. violation
Of the Shern law and other charges that
are pending against them.
TOWN MEETING COUNTY TICKET
In addition to Councils, four county
oihces, those of Receiver of Taxes. District
Attorney. City Treasurer and Register Of
wills. are 20 be filed For these offices the
Town Meeting party has nominated the fol-
lowing ticket of representatives citizens:
RECEIVER OF TAXES
THOMAS r. ARMSTRONG
CITY TREASURER
WILLIAM X. NICHOLSON
REGISTER OF WILLS
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