1896 Birmingham municipal election: Difference between revisions

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The '''1896 Birmingham municipal election''' was held in December [[1896]] to elected a [[Mayor of Birmingham]] and a [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] made up of representatives from the city's [[Birmingham city wards|9 voting wards]].
The '''1896 Birmingham municipal election''' was held in December [[1896]] to elected a [[Mayor of Birmingham]] and a [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] made up of representatives from the city's [[Birmingham city wards|9 voting wards]]. [[Frank Evans|Frank V. Evans]] was elected to his first and only term as Mayor.


==Election==
Registrars in each ward were responsible for qualifying voters for the election, under the guidance of [[Birmingham City Attorney]] [[Richard Evans]]. Registration was open from November 10 to November 20 and each qualified voter was given a ticket to present on election day. The registrars were listed as:
Registrars in each ward were responsible for qualifying voters for the election, under the guidance of [[Birmingham City Attorney]] [[Richard Evans]]. Registration was open from November 10 to November 20 and each qualified voter was given a ticket to present on election day. The registrars were listed as:


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* 9th Ward: [[D. C. Behrens]] at [[Behrens' Store]] at [[12th Street South|12th Street]] and [[6th Avenue South|Avenue F]]
* 9th Ward: [[D. C. Behrens]] at [[Behrens' Store]] at [[12th Street South|12th Street]] and [[6th Avenue South|Avenue F]]


[[Frank Evans]] ran for re-election as the incumbent and as a representative of the [[Democratic Party]]. Various opposition parties gathered in advance of the election and drew up "tickets" to run on a unified platform, often nominated individuals who were not present and later had to be notified by a reporting committee that they would appear on the ballot.  [[Christian Enslen]] was nominated for Mayor by the [[Citizens Reform Party]]. [[Alva Lowery]] was nominated by the [[Citizens Independent Party]].
[[Frank Evans]] ran for election as a representative of the [[Democratic Party]]. Various opposition parties gathered in advance of the election and drew up "tickets" to run on a unified platform. They routinely nominated individuals who were not present, and later had to be notified by a reporting committee that they had been put forward for election. As a result, some individuals were nominated by more than one party and substitutions had to be made for those who declined nominations.


[[R. A. Mosely]] attended a meeting of Black voters for the sole purpose of assuring that the group did not endorse [[Frank Evans]] for re-election. He reported that the group made no endorsements at all.
===Citizens Reform ticket===
 
The Citizen's Reform Party was organized by a group of about 75 citizens who met at [[Erswell's Hall]] on [[November 9]]. [[William Graves]] chaired the meeting, at which [[Benjamin Roden]] was initially elected as their candidate for mayor over [[Christian Enslen]]. When Roden declined to accept the next morning, former mayor [[James Van Hoose]] was reached by telephon. He also declined to be nominated unless Enslen had dropped out of consideration. He had not, so Enslen became the nominee.  
==Citizens Reform ticket==
The Citizen's Reform Party was organized by a group of about 75 citizens who met at [[Erswell's Hall]] on [[November 9]]. [[W. H. Graves]] chaired the meeting, at which [[Benjamin Roden]] was initially elected as their candidate for mayor over [[Christian Enslen]]. When Roden declined to accept the next morning, former mayor [[James Van Hoose]] was reached by telephon. He also declined to be nominated unless Enslen had dropped out of consideration. He had not, so Enslen became the nominee.  


* Mayor: [[Christian Enslen]]  
* Mayor: [[Christian Enslen]]  
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** 4th Ward: [[John Copeland]] and [[A. A. Clisby]]
** 4th Ward: [[John Copeland]] and [[A. A. Clisby]]
** 5th Ward: [[James Downey]] and [[William Snider]]
** 5th Ward: [[James Downey]] and [[William Snider]]
** 6th Ward: [[T. W. Gathright]] and [[William Connors]]
** 6th Ward: [[Thomas Gathwright]] and [[William Connors]]
** 7th Ward: [[Edward Erswell]] and [[H. H. Sinnige]]
** 7th Ward: [[Edward Erswell]] and [[Henry Sinnige]]
** 8th Ward: [[Henry Gray]] or [[John McCardin]] and [[James Mackin]]
** 8th Ward: [[Henry Gray]] or [[John McCardin]] and [[James Mackin]]
** 9th Ward: [[Oliver Chalifoux]] and [[George Church]]
** 9th Ward: [[Oliver Chalifoux]] and [[George Church]]


==Citizens Independent ticket==
===Citizens Independent ticket===
At their party meeting at [[Engineers Hall]] on [[November 9]] the Citizens Reform Party nominated [[Alva Lowery]] as their candidate for mayor.  
At their party meeting at [[Engineers Hall]] on [[November 9]] the Citizens Reform Party nominated [[Alva Lowery]] as their candidate for mayor.  


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* Board of Aldermen
* Board of Aldermen
** 1st Ward: [[C. T. Hardeman]] and [[W. H. Doyle]]
** 1st Ward: [[C. T. Hardeman]] and [[W. H. Doyle]]
** 2nd Ward: [[J. Early Lee]] and [[W. H. Herrich]]
** 2nd Ward: [[J. Early Lee]] and [[W. H. Herrick]]
** 3rd Ward: [[Robert Kerr]] and [[Joseph McKnight]]  
** 3rd Ward: [[Robert Kerr]] and [[Joseph McKnight]]  
** 4th Ward: [[John Copeland]] and [[A. A. Clisby]]
** 4th Ward: none reported
** 5th Ward: [[James Downey]] and [[William Snider]]
** 5th Ward: [[Harry Hawkins]] and [[H. P. Moody]]
** 6th Ward: [[T. W. Gathright]] and [[William Connors]]
** 6th Ward: [[Thomas Gathwright]] and [[William Connors]]
** 7th Ward: [[Edward Erswell]] and [[H. H. Sinnige]]
** 7th Ward: [[John Hamilton]] and [[Edward Erswell]]
** 8th Ward: [[Henry Gray]] or [[John McCardin]] and [[James Mackin]]
** 8th Ward: [[Augustus Bright]] and [[James Morris]]
** 9th Ward: [[Oliver Chalifoux]] and [[George Church]]
** 9th Ward: [[John Woodrow]] and [[M. H. Matthews]]
 
===Endorsements===
''[[The Birmingham News]]'' endorsed the candidacy of Christian Ensley, questioning the integrity of Frank Evans in relation to a bond deal undertaken during his tenure as City Treasurer. The ''News'' also endorsed a slate of Aldermanic candidates drawn from both Evans and Enslen's tickets:
 
* 1st Ward: [[W. H. Doyle]] and [[Thomas Wheeler]]
* 2nd Ward: [[T. T. Ashford]] and [[W. H. Herrick]]
* 3rd Ward: [[Robert Kerr]] and [[Joseph McKnight]]
* 4th Ward: [[A. A. Clisby]] and [[Joe Meighan]]
* 5th Ward: [[Mel Drennen]] and [[M. M. Williams]]
* 6th Ward: [[George Jakcson]] and [[Thomas Gathwright]]
* 7th Ward: [[W. J. Pearce]] and [[Henry Sinnige]]
* 8th Ward: [[Henry Gray]] and [[S. P. Fowlkes]]
* 9th Ward: [[George Church]] and [[Herman Henschell]]
 
In its editorial, the ''News'' explained that the city is a "municipal corporation" whose affairs were "simple business matters" requiring the attention of officers with the "capacity and character" for public service, rather than any political or religious affiliations. At the same time, the paper suggested that, "there are some otherwise admirably equipped candidates for Aldermanic duties, whose positions as to a water works deal, pool rooms, etc. tend to handicap their chances and will probably defeat them."
 
[[R. A. Mosely]] attended a meeting of Black voters for the sole purpose of assuring that the group did not endorse [[Frank Evans]] in the election. He reported that the group made no endorsements at all.
 
==Results==
At the regular [[December 3]] meeting of the Board of Alderman, [[Christian Enslen]] moved for the Board to count and canvass the citywide vote immediately, but it failed on a 9-3 vote with Van Hoose recusing. [[William Kettig]] then moved to appoint a committee to canvass the returns, and that motion was carried, with [[J. M. Gillespie]], [[James Meade]] and [[John L. Parker]] appointed to the committee. Additionally an Arbitration Committee was formed to review irregular ballots and make a determination as to the voter's intent. [[John Towers]], [[B. A. Thompson|Asbury Thompson]] and [[Walter Moore (alderman)|Walter Moore]] made up that committee.
 
The Arbitration Committee reported that the boxes for the 1st and 7th Wards had been brought without poll lists. They were able to determine the intent of 25 irregular votes from the 5th Ward. In general "only two or three boxes were regular as required by law," but the overall result being clear, the irregularities were determined to be moot.
 
===Mayor===
The Canvassing Committee returned after a 30-minute recess and made this report:
** 1st Ward: Evans 250, Ward 243, Wheeler 243, Doyle 98, Hardeman 96, Enslen 73, Lowrey 35, Van Hoose 1
** 2nd Ward: Ashford 250, Rambow 250, Evans 213, Enslen 212, Herrick 163, Lee 143, Lowrey 32
** 3rd Ward: Kerr 170, McKnight 136, Evans 74,  Jones 66, Enslen 64, Lowrey 61, Van Hoose 1
** 4th Ward: Meighan 116, Moore 81, Enslen 64, Evans 61, Clisby 61, Lowrey 21, Baldwin 15, Purvis 13, Copeland 5
** 5th Ward: Drennen 346, Evans 305, Williams 289, Enslen 287, Bennie 284, Townley 217, Moody 66, Lowrey 61, Van Hoose 1
** 6th Ward: Altman 124, Graham 117, Evans 115, Gathright 81, Jackson 79, Enslen 74, Lowrey 49, Connors 39
** 7th Ward: Pearce 263, Hamilton 254, Evans 216, Sinnige 112, Enslen 96, Lowrey 28, Erswell 35, Van Hoose 1
** 8th Ward: Gray 246, McCartin 200, Evans 193, Enslen, 130, Fowlkes 95, Jernigan 71, Bright 51, Lowrey 44, Morris 29
** 9th Ward: Hentschell 211, Harrington 145, Evans 143, Enslen 114, Church 110, Lowrey 34, Matthews 33, Woods 18
 
Though Evans only won outright in one of the city's 9 wards, he amassed the most total votes, with 1,570 to Enslen's 1,117 and Lowrey's 363. Several other candidates enjoyed strong support in only one ward.
 
===Aldermen===
With the boxes counted, the following Aldermen were sworn in
 
* 1st Ward: [[John Ward]] and [[Thomas Wheeler]]
* 2nd Ward: [[C. T. Rambow]] ([[T. T. Ashford was elected but not present)
* 3rd Ward: [[Robert Kerr]] and [[Joseph McKnight]]
* 4th Ward: [[Joe Meighan]] and [[Walter Moore (alderman)|Walter Moore]]
* 5th Ward: [[Mel Drennen]] and [[M. M. Williams]]
* 6th Ward: [[J. F. Graham]] ([[J. J. Altman was elected but not present)
* 7th Ward: [[J. A. Hamilton]] and [[W. J. Pearce]]
* 8th Ward: [[Henry Gray]] and [[John McCartin]]
* 9th Ward: [[John Harrington]] and [[Herman Henschell]]
 
==Inauguration==
Evans and his board were sworn in on the spot by outgoing mayor Van Hoose, who "wished the new administration prosperity and hoped they would deal well with the cows, hogs and cattle running at large."
 
In his inaugural address, Frank Evans promised that no animosity would be preserved from the "bitter contest" just decided, and that "the people of Birmingham, regardless of party, color or conditions, will put their shoulders together for the interest of this great and growing city." He warned his board of the precarious financial condition of the city and its meagre revenues and poor credit. He promised "this administration will economize, retrench if possible," in part by seeking to eliminate sinecures and reduce the public payroll.


==References==
==References==
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-three-men-will-run-f/138349372/ Three Men Will Run For Mayor of Birmingham]." (November 10, 1896) {{BN}}, p. 5
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-three-men-will-run-f/138349372/ Three Men Will Run For Mayor of Birmingham]." (November 10, 1896) {{BN}}, p. 5
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-the-board-of-alderme/138350316/ The Board of Aldermen]." (November 28, 1896) {{BN}}, p. 4
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-the-oath-of-office-w/138677677/ The Oath Of Office Was Administered Mayor Evans And The New Council]." (December 3, 1896) {{BN}}, p. 2


[[Category:Birmingham municipal elections]]
[[Category:Birmingham municipal elections]]
[[Category:1896 events]]
[[Category:1896 events]]

Latest revision as of 18:38, 13 January 2024

The 1896 Birmingham municipal election was held in December 1896 to elected a Mayor of Birmingham and a Birmingham Board of Aldermen made up of representatives from the city's 9 voting wards. Frank V. Evans was elected to his first and only term as Mayor.

Election

Registrars in each ward were responsible for qualifying voters for the election, under the guidance of Birmingham City Attorney Richard Evans. Registration was open from November 10 to November 20 and each qualified voter was given a ticket to present on election day. The registrars were listed as:

Frank Evans ran for election as a representative of the Democratic Party. Various opposition parties gathered in advance of the election and drew up "tickets" to run on a unified platform. They routinely nominated individuals who were not present, and later had to be notified by a reporting committee that they had been put forward for election. As a result, some individuals were nominated by more than one party and substitutions had to be made for those who declined nominations.

Citizens Reform ticket

The Citizen's Reform Party was organized by a group of about 75 citizens who met at Erswell's Hall on November 9. William Graves chaired the meeting, at which Benjamin Roden was initially elected as their candidate for mayor over Christian Enslen. When Roden declined to accept the next morning, former mayor James Van Hoose was reached by telephon. He also declined to be nominated unless Enslen had dropped out of consideration. He had not, so Enslen became the nominee.

Citizens Independent ticket

At their party meeting at Engineers Hall on November 9 the Citizens Reform Party nominated Alva Lowery as their candidate for mayor.

Endorsements

The Birmingham News endorsed the candidacy of Christian Ensley, questioning the integrity of Frank Evans in relation to a bond deal undertaken during his tenure as City Treasurer. The News also endorsed a slate of Aldermanic candidates drawn from both Evans and Enslen's tickets:

In its editorial, the News explained that the city is a "municipal corporation" whose affairs were "simple business matters" requiring the attention of officers with the "capacity and character" for public service, rather than any political or religious affiliations. At the same time, the paper suggested that, "there are some otherwise admirably equipped candidates for Aldermanic duties, whose positions as to a water works deal, pool rooms, etc. tend to handicap their chances and will probably defeat them."

R. A. Mosely attended a meeting of Black voters for the sole purpose of assuring that the group did not endorse Frank Evans in the election. He reported that the group made no endorsements at all.

Results

At the regular December 3 meeting of the Board of Alderman, Christian Enslen moved for the Board to count and canvass the citywide vote immediately, but it failed on a 9-3 vote with Van Hoose recusing. William Kettig then moved to appoint a committee to canvass the returns, and that motion was carried, with J. M. Gillespie, James Meade and John L. Parker appointed to the committee. Additionally an Arbitration Committee was formed to review irregular ballots and make a determination as to the voter's intent. John Towers, Asbury Thompson and Walter Moore made up that committee.

The Arbitration Committee reported that the boxes for the 1st and 7th Wards had been brought without poll lists. They were able to determine the intent of 25 irregular votes from the 5th Ward. In general "only two or three boxes were regular as required by law," but the overall result being clear, the irregularities were determined to be moot.

Mayor

The Canvassing Committee returned after a 30-minute recess and made this report:

    • 1st Ward: Evans 250, Ward 243, Wheeler 243, Doyle 98, Hardeman 96, Enslen 73, Lowrey 35, Van Hoose 1
    • 2nd Ward: Ashford 250, Rambow 250, Evans 213, Enslen 212, Herrick 163, Lee 143, Lowrey 32
    • 3rd Ward: Kerr 170, McKnight 136, Evans 74, Jones 66, Enslen 64, Lowrey 61, Van Hoose 1
    • 4th Ward: Meighan 116, Moore 81, Enslen 64, Evans 61, Clisby 61, Lowrey 21, Baldwin 15, Purvis 13, Copeland 5
    • 5th Ward: Drennen 346, Evans 305, Williams 289, Enslen 287, Bennie 284, Townley 217, Moody 66, Lowrey 61, Van Hoose 1
    • 6th Ward: Altman 124, Graham 117, Evans 115, Gathright 81, Jackson 79, Enslen 74, Lowrey 49, Connors 39
    • 7th Ward: Pearce 263, Hamilton 254, Evans 216, Sinnige 112, Enslen 96, Lowrey 28, Erswell 35, Van Hoose 1
    • 8th Ward: Gray 246, McCartin 200, Evans 193, Enslen, 130, Fowlkes 95, Jernigan 71, Bright 51, Lowrey 44, Morris 29
    • 9th Ward: Hentschell 211, Harrington 145, Evans 143, Enslen 114, Church 110, Lowrey 34, Matthews 33, Woods 18

Though Evans only won outright in one of the city's 9 wards, he amassed the most total votes, with 1,570 to Enslen's 1,117 and Lowrey's 363. Several other candidates enjoyed strong support in only one ward.

Aldermen

With the boxes counted, the following Aldermen were sworn in

Inauguration

Evans and his board were sworn in on the spot by outgoing mayor Van Hoose, who "wished the new administration prosperity and hoped they would deal well with the cows, hogs and cattle running at large."

In his inaugural address, Frank Evans promised that no animosity would be preserved from the "bitter contest" just decided, and that "the people of Birmingham, regardless of party, color or conditions, will put their shoulders together for the interest of this great and growing city." He warned his board of the precarious financial condition of the city and its meagre revenues and poor credit. He promised "this administration will economize, retrench if possible," in part by seeking to eliminate sinecures and reduce the public payroll.

References

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