PLAN No. 634. AN ATTORNEY BECAME MAYOR OF A CITY
When he first started to practice it was very discouraging, as he was limited in funds and had a family, and for that reason he took up work in the city clerk’s office. In that capacity he could serve, and soon he became the adviser of the city council. He was familiar with all of the details of the clerk’s office and the doings of the council, and could also advise them as well as the city attorney’s office. Often his suggestions to the corporation council’s office, were gratefully received. For seven or eight years, he met the public daily.
He determined to make the race for the office of commissioner, which paid $5,000 a year. His friends were loyal to him. He was familiar with politics from start to finish, and knew that he had thousands of votes; he also knew that he had the kind of friends who would support him. Assured of his friends’ support, he went about the city himself, making a direct canvass for votes. He realized that every effort meant that much more in his favor, even though he was quite sure of a certain percentage. He felt that if he was once elected he could make a showing that would keep him in office from year to year. He knew that he was far more familiar with the work than any other candidate.
Most of the candidates were business men, who had had no prior experience with the city government, and he argued that if he had served the city well for ten years, that he would be better qualified to serve the city than those who had had no prior experience.
To the surprise of a great many he was elected, and after receiving his office, he was given one of the most difficult tasks, which he handled with credit to himself.