1907 Birmingham municipal election: Difference between revisions
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The '''1907 mayoral election''' for the city of [[Birmingham]] was held on [[February 18]], [[1907]] with incumbent [[George Ward]] defeating challenger [[Frank O'Brien]] by 1,659 votes to 1,533 (a difference of only 126 votes, or 4%). The vote was technically a Democratic primary, but with no real opposition party, it was the deciding election. | The '''1907 mayoral election''' for the city of [[Birmingham]] was held on [[February 18]], [[1907]] with incumbent [[George Ward]] defeating challenger [[Frank O'Brien]] by 1,659 votes to 1,533 (a difference of only 126 votes, or 4%). The vote was technically a Democratic primary, but with no real opposition party, it was the deciding election. | ||
Although O'Brien promised to improve the undermanned [[Birmingham Police Department]], Ward narrowly won reelection - in part by identifying O'Brien | Although O'Brien promised to improve the undermanned [[Birmingham Police Department]], Ward narrowly won reelection - in part by identifying O'Brien with liquor and gambling interests. Nevertheless the campaigning was friendly and the ''[[Birmingham News]]'' reported that "it was probably the first time in Alabama politics that two opposing candidates voted for each other". | ||
In a letter to the newspapers thanking voters for their confidence in him, Ward pledged "to do the best I can for the next two years." He further expressed his frustration with the [[Birmingham Police Commission]] and urged citizens to press upon their state legislators to abolish that system. | |||
==Results== | ==Results== | ||
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* Plumbing Inspector: [[Charles Eckerle]] (incumbent), Conrad, Gayle | * Plumbing Inspector: [[Charles Eckerle]] (incumbent), Conrad, Gayle | ||
* Electrical Inspector: [[W. H. Abernathy]] (incumbent), Hunt | * Electrical Inspector: [[W. H. Abernathy]] (incumbent), Hunt | ||
===Referendum on elected department heads== | |||
The question was put to the voters whether city department heads should continue to be filled by popular election with 1,674 votes cast in support of the existing system and 718 votes calling for change. Note that the Chief of the Fire Department was already an exception to the rule. | |||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Revision as of 22:35, 27 January 2010
The 1907 mayoral election for the city of Birmingham was held on February 18, 1907 with incumbent George Ward defeating challenger Frank O'Brien by 1,659 votes to 1,533 (a difference of only 126 votes, or 4%). The vote was technically a Democratic primary, but with no real opposition party, it was the deciding election.
Although O'Brien promised to improve the undermanned Birmingham Police Department, Ward narrowly won reelection - in part by identifying O'Brien with liquor and gambling interests. Nevertheless the campaigning was friendly and the Birmingham News reported that "it was probably the first time in Alabama politics that two opposing candidates voted for each other".
In a letter to the newspapers thanking voters for their confidence in him, Ward pledged "to do the best I can for the next two years." He further expressed his frustration with the Birmingham Police Commission and urged citizens to press upon their state legislators to abolish that system.
Results
Mayor of Birmingham
| George Ward | Frank O'Brien | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Ward | 59 | 152 |
| 2nd Ward | 126 | 212 |
| 3rd Ward | 193 | 143 |
| 4th Ward | 185 | 96 |
| 5th Ward | 257 | 218 |
| 6th Ward | 109 | 124 |
| 7th Ward | 209 | 183 |
| 8th Ward | 256 | 207 |
| 9th Ward | 245 | 198 |
| Totals | 1,639 | 1,533 |
Chief of Police
- William Wier 1,149 votes (winner)
- George Bodeker 1,078 votes
- C. W. Austin (incumbent) 816 votes
- J. B. Morson 130 votes
Birmingham Board of Aldermen
- 1st Ward: R. D. Burnett 101 votes, Wright, 41 votes, Burke 39 votes, Parsons 22 votes, Horan (dropped out) 1 vote, O'Hara (dropped out) 0 votes
- 2nd Ward: John O'Neill (incumbent, unopposed) 269 votes
- 3rd Ward: R. H. Eggleston 199 votes, A. A. Gambill 121 votes, Oden 16 votes
- 4th Ward: Walter Moore (incumbent) 198 votes, Parker 78 votes
- 5th Ward: B. H. Cooper (incumbent, unopposed) 257 votes
- 6th Ward: John Forney (incumbent)
- 7th Ward: C. C. Heidt (incumbent)
- 8th Ward: Dan Hogan
- 9th Ward: C. H. Estes
Other city departments
- Birmingham Police Commission (four of seven places open): Hal Copeland 1,585 votes, Thomas Parker, 1,311 votes, W. R. McGavock 1,289 votes, F. B. Yielding 1,201 votes (winners), Burger 1,102 votes, Metcalfe 1,084 votes, Tarrant 1,078 votes, Ullman 903 votes, Wurtzburger 597 votes
- Birmingham Street Commissioner: John McCartin (incumbent), Waldrop
- Birmingham City Attorney: Edward D. Smith
- Birmingham Treasurer: George Eustis (incumbent), Garretson, Shahar
- Auditor: W. B. Copeland
- Birmingham City Engineer: Julian Kendrick
- License Inspector: J. J. Boggan
- Building Inspector: John Lind (incumbent), W. O. Matthews
- Plumbing Inspector: Charles Eckerle (incumbent), Conrad, Gayle
- Electrical Inspector: W. H. Abernathy (incumbent), Hunt
=Referendum on elected department heads
The question was put to the voters whether city department heads should continue to be filled by popular election with 1,674 votes cast in support of the existing system and 718 votes calling for change. Note that the Chief of the Fire Department was already an exception to the rule.
References
- Birmingham News (February 19, 1907), cited in Joseph M. Farley (November 1963) "The Greater Birmingham Struggle of 1907-1910". Journal of the Birmingham Historical Society. Vol. 4, pp. 1-15
- "Mayor Ward renominated in yesterday's primary by majority of 106." (February 19, 1907) Birmingham News
- Harris, Carl V. (1977) Political Power in Birmingham, 1871-1921. Twentieth-Century America Series. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press. ISBN 087049211X