The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-04-08
The Rising Tide

Contrary to the expectations and fears Of many citi-
kens throughout the nation, Big Bill Thompsons lariat-
twisting tactics failed in the Chicago election, and Anton
Cermak, once an immigrant boy and coal miner, VIII be
the Worlds Fair Mayor OF the nations second city.
Cermak campaigned with a broom, promising, among
other things, to sweep the city clean OF gangsterism ana
corruption and, whether or not the people of Chicago be-
lieved him, they gave him their support. For the first
time in many years, therefore, Chicago has gone Demo-
cratic and Cermak will sit in the chair once occupied oy
Carter H. Harrison and later by William E. Dever, the
last Democrat to hold the mayoralty in the Windy City.
There were issues other than those which we can
recognize at this distance, Of course. The record and the
character of each aspirant as well as the nature and
character of the supporting organizations played a part
as they do in every big-city election. But through and
above all other issues there comes the dominant note
of opposition to the powers that be.
The nation seems to have been struck by a wave OF
Santi-ism," first apparent in the congressional electlons
last fall and now repeated in the spring. In Chicago as
elsewhere, there seems to be general dissatisfaction Win
things as they are and men running on their records
must offer clear evidence of their ability If they are to
breast the tide. There is no doubt as to Thompsons
vigorous personality and the color which he can inject
into a political campaign, but his record was one which
discouraged friends of honest government and cleanll-
ness in political office:
To all who will be candidates for reelection within the
next year or so there may be a warning in the results OF
the Chicago election. The Democratic trend, begun IN
the fall, is continued here. Men in high places as well
as low may well take heed. -
The Chicago results are emphasized in smaller Illinois
cities, Quincy having elected its first Democrat in many
years. s ~I
Unless the ebb tide Of this movement comes before
November, 1892, there is more than a possibility that q
Democrat soon may sit in the presidents chair.
Cermak's victory declaration that he will make the
great city by the lake safe for women and children as
well as for visitors and serving notice on the crooks and
gangsters that they must get out or go to jail, will win the
applause of the country.
Because Of it's importance and the untoward things
which have occurred there in the way of gang rivalries
and massacres, Chicago has been centered in the public
eye for many months. Many citizens have been unable
to understand how it is that such things could 60 in a
great city and the answer will not be clear untS Cermak
makes good upon his promises, given in the flush OF VIC
tory. That he will have the best wishes OF the honest
folk of the nation goes without saying. It will be a
relief for all of us when Chicagos troubles vanish from
the newspapers and the Windy City again becomes a
well-ordered community. Those Of us who go to the
worlds fair there in 1888 will want to feel that we can
do so safely.