Election 1896
Montpelier Examiner, Saturday, 11 April 1896, page 1
The City Hall presented a scene of activity last Tuesday morning,
as the judges and clerks of the city election were arranging for the days work.
Everything had been prepared the day before, so by 8:30 am the voting had
commenced. The polls did not close until about 7 pm when it was found that 170
people had taken advantage of their franchise.
The following is the result, first named of the candidates for various offices being on the people ticket:
For Mayor: P H Murnane-107; M D Wells-55
Clerk: John A Cederlund-67; Chas E O'Connor-90
Treasurer: John R Brennan-94; G C Gray-89
Police Magistrate: G C Hillier-80; J L Underwood-68
Engineer: Robt Birch-64; Ed Rich-74
1st Ward: Jas Holmes-27; Thos Barrett-24
2nd Ward: Chas Hammond-33; J N Bresee-24; Frank Jones-13
3rd Ward: Fred Hansen-48; Thos Leonard-44; T L Glenn-21; J J Jensen-19
Many were the scratched tickets, very few voting straight. No particular interest was taken by any of the candidates except the aspirates for the clerkship. A good dinner was spread for the judges and clerks in the city hall.
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Mayor Murnane had had the kind of experience that will eminently fit him for the office to which he has been elected. As agent at the U P he had learned to be exact in all business transactions and this will come in handy with the town's business. He knows the value of economy in city expenditures and at the same time is a firm believer in progression. The city will not suffer at his hands.
Chas E "O'Connor familiarly known as "Ed" has a most efficient predecessor to follow. John Cederlund has made one of the best clerk the city ever had, yet no one doubts but what Ed will do equally well. He had had experience in book keeping in other pursuits and this office certainly will not be worse off by his being in it.
John R Brennan will be as good a treasurer as the city will ever want, no matter what may ever be its size. He succeeds G G C Grey, who has been this town treasurer since incorporation, but who sheds no tears at losing his trust. There is no salary attached to the office and a good deal of work.
Judge Hillier succeeds himself as police magistrate. He has never had many cases, but in the few tried before him he has demonstrated that wisdom and justice predominate in his character.
Ed Rich, as city engineer probably wont draw any more salary than Marcus Whitman did, which was not a cent, however, he will do what work comes his way in an acceptable manner.
In the list of councilmen Jas Holmes of the first ward, is a good selection for he has by previous work in the same place, shown that he knows what the city needs.
Chas Hammond and J N Bresee of the second, have good business judgment and will lend strength to the council. the first named has had experience there before and his record is good.
Fred Hansen from the third ward has been in the council during the past year and during that time has always been found on the side of the city's best interests. He will have a good working partner in the person of Thos Leonard, Mayor Douglas and councilmen Wells McCart. However, Malone Hansen and Perkins have made a bright record for themselves and the city during the past year. They have cut down the expenses to less than $1200 per annum. During the past year the city debt was reduced more than one half until it is only $1064. Considerable work has been done on the streets and many new bridges put in, all at no cost to the city. Surely the people ought to congratulate the officials and feel congratulated in return for the years work.