The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-05-05
Holly Contested Campaign.

Decidedly the most hotly contested
election in many years in Bamberg
Tuesday resulted in the election of
the gentlemen above named as mayor
and aldermen. While the friends of
each of the candidates for mayor
thought their man was sure winner,
it was apparent to the open mind
that it was free-for-all contest, and
the result could not be accurately
guessed in advance.
The number of voters this year was
considerable in excess of that of form
er elections, due to the registration of
women, quite number of whom par
ticipated in the elction, and for the
reason that there was more interest
in the election this year than usual.
Quite surprise was sprung at the
last minute when it was announced,
contrary to expectations, that the vot-
ing would be done through the Aus
tralian ballot system. Tickets had
been prepared for voting in the
usual way, but Monday night the
consent of all the candidates for
mayor was secured for using the Aus
tralian system. To do this The Her
aid force was summoned to the office
early Tuesday morning to print and
number the tickets for the Austral-
ian ballot, and the tickets were de-
1ivered to the managers before eight
O'Clock Tuesday morning.
The campaign lasted only about
two weeks, but these weeks were fill
ed with hard work on the part of
supporters for the various aspirants,
especially those for mayor. Thurs
day night campaign meeting was
held at the court house, thing un-
heard of in town politics before, and
speeches were made by number Of
the candidates, including Messrs.
Cooner, Graham and Thomas for
mayor, and Chandler, Free
and Rentz for aldermen. Mr..
Coleman, mayorhlty can
didate, was unable to be present on
account of sickness, and short ad-
dress to the voters was read from
him. Hon. B. D. Carter presided ov-
er the meeting, which was attended
by a large number of voters, both
male and female.
A last minute change occurred in
the ticket. W. D. Rhoad, who had
previously withdrawn from the race,
consented upon the solicitation of a
number of his friends, to get back in
to the running, and he permitted his
name to appear as candidate for
alderman.
All those who have desired to see
live politics in Bamberg have full
reason to feel satisfied. If it is true
that town without politics is dead,
it may be safely predicted that Bam-
berg has taken on a new lease of
life. After the spirited campaign
that has been conducted, either by
the candidates themselves or their
friends in their behalf, the gentle
men elected have every reason to
feel that they have been honored by
being chosen as the city fathers for
the next two years.
For commissioner of public works,
Mr.. Dickinson was unanimously elect
ed, he having no opposition. The
city is very fortunate in securing Mr..
Dickinson's consent to retain this
office, and all citizens, regardless of
their preference for councilmen, are
agreed that there is not better quail
flied citizen Of Bamberg to hold this
responsible position. He is chairman
of the board Of commissioners.
Mrs. George F. Hair holds the in
teresting distinction of being the first
woman to cast ballot in a Bamberg
city election. Mrs. Hair was one of
the first to cast her ballot early Tues
day morning, and was the first wo-