A Close Contest.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8, 30 April 1914, Page 5

A Close Contest.

THE MAYOR RE-ELECTED. KIRKWOOD 572: KING 511. A total polling of 1096 constitutes a record for a municipal election in Stratford; and the fact that more than ordinary interest was taken in the contest is indicated by the fact that at the last election in 1912, the total polling was only 703. There was a good crowd outside the Town Hall when the poll closed at 7 o'clock, and the numbers gradually increased until practically the whole of the space in front of the Hall was crowded. About live minutes to eight the doors of the Hall were thrown open, and the assembled crowd quickly filled up most of the available space. The floor of the Hall was cleared of forms and a very large number were enabled to be accommodated. When the majority of the crowd were settled in their places, the Town Clerk- (Mr P. Skoglund)~Yead out the result, as quoted above, the announcement being greeted with prolonged applause.

On vising to return thanks, Mr Kirkwood was received with loud applause. His first act, he said, must be to return his sincere and hearty thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who had so loyally worked for his return that day. The victory did not rest with him, but with those loyal workers, who could expect nothing further than his most sincere thanks. The campaign had been a strenuous one—probably the most strenuous one in the history of the town. Naturally, in the course of the contest, a little feeling had been shown, but he hoped that both sides would entirely forget it, realising that they had all to live in the one town, and that whatever had been the result of the election they had to work with one object—the good of the Borough. He thought that by the election public opinion had been vindicated. The parties might hold certain opinions, but the only opinion which could be relied on was public opinion, which received its expression at the ballot-box. Opinions would always differ as to the importance of questions under consideration. He had thought that the issue he had placed before the burgesses was of groat importance, and the result of the polling supported his view. Mr King, as the figures showed, had fought a good fight. He (the speaker) had been victorious. His majority was not large, but he was proud of the position on the poll the burgesses had given him. "I will conclude," said Mr Kirkwood, "by offering my hand to Mr King, with the assurance that I am quite prepared to forget anything I may have said during the contest; and I hope that we will be just as friendly as we have been in the past." The two candidates shook hands amid applause, which was renewed when Mr King stepped forward to return thanks. "The first thing I wish to do," said Mr King, "is to congratulate Mi- Kirkwood on his victory." The campaign, he said, had indeed been a strenuous one, but so far as he was concerned he was prepared to forget anything which had been said during the contest. While he remained on the Council he would support Mr Kirkwood in endeavors to advance the Borough. Xaturally, he felt a little disappointed, but better men than him had been beaten before and better men than him would be beaten hereafter. Mr Kirkwood had been elected fairly and squarely, and he (Mr King) was quite prepared to forget all the feeling engendered during the campaign. He desired to return thanks to those who had helped him, especially the owners of vehicles. In the future he woidd do his duty by the Borough and loyally support Mr Kirkwood. (Applause.) When Mr Kirkwood reached the floor of the hall he was "chaired" by some enthusiastic supporters to the motor car waiting for him on the street.

THE MAYOR INTERVIEWED. Seen this morning by a "Post" representative, Mr Kirk wood said: "I am very gratified at the result of the poll. I fully recognise the forces which were against me in the election. In the first place I was opposed by a very popular man in Mr King, and the fact that he had been Mayor of the town for four years counted considerably in his favour. I have no doubt but that a large number of votes were cast against me because of the fact that this is the year in which the electors vote on the NoLicense question. This I consider ona of the main reasons why my majority was not larger than it was. I believe that had the election been decided in any other year than one in which the No-License polls were taken, and had it been fought out on the main issue —the electric lighting question—my majority would have been macn 'larger, as representing the true public opinion that is held on the question. of the new license and the lighting question. So far as the Company is concerned, as I stated before the poll, I will deal with them on the fairest I grounds possible. The greatest possible efforts were exerted by both sides, as is evidenced by the very large poll: but any partisan feeling that may have existed and may have [been unduly expressed by either side should now be dropped entirely, and the very best relations should exist jbetwwa tk« rietor* and th« vaucjuisk-