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CHAPTER 95 1917 Tboth times a prominent and wealthy citizen, with no particular desire for the office, was literally "drafted." Both served only one term and both left office with city finances in the black where previously red ink had prevailed . Both drew upon personal funds for civic improvements, Robert F. Maddox for a city hall, and Asa G. Candler for an extension of the waterworks. In mid-1916, with an income in the neighborhood of $5,000,000, the city was on the brink of bankruptcy. Schools were impoverished, Grady Hospital was run down, streets were sorely in need of paving and repair, no funds were available with which to pay petty bills, and the salaries of most city officials were unpaid for the month of August, when the primary for the election of a new mayor (to serve during 1917-1918) was held.1 In response to insistent requests from a citizens' committee composed of 200 of Atlanta's best men, Asa G. Candler agreed on July 19, 1916, to become a candidate for mayor in the primary of August 24. The committee knew of his patriotism, his superb business qualities, his devotion to the city and of his many benefactions. They felt certain that he, more than any other man, could rid the city government of political factions and bickerings and put the city's business affairs in such shape as to avoid the threatened stoppage of all development work.2 To a Journal reporter Mr. Candler said: "I consented to enter the race not with any sense of my own ability, but because of the insistent demand that it was my duty. "My hope of a successful administration is based entirely upon the assurance of citizens that they will support me."3 Indeed, Mr. Candler consented to become a candidate only upon his firm condition that he would not be expected to campaign in the usual sense, but that those who had prevailed upon him to enter the lists would do this part of the job. Accordingly he left with Mrs. Candler for Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where he planned to stay at the mineral springs until the issue had been decided.4 When Candler entered the race he found three other candidates in the field. They were Second Ward Alderman Charles H. Kelley, Fourth Ward Councilman Claude L. Ashley, and Seventh Ward Alderman Jesse W. Armistead . By the end of July Kelley and Ashley had withdrawn in favor of Candler, leaving the race to the latter and to Armistead, a Journal linotype operator, a union member, and a man of excellent reputation and considerable ability. Had the city's financial situation not been so critical, he would have had a better chance of election.5 A couple of weeks before the primary Mr. Candler was called home by his campaign managers and on Wednesday, August 16, with only eight days to go the drafted candidate made the first "stump" speech of his life to a large crowd assembled around the Henry Grady monument on Marietta Street.6 He was introduced by Forrest Adair as "the man who needs no introduction ." During the course of his address Mr. Candler said: HE 1916 campaign for mayor was analogous to that of 1908 in that 698 ATLANTA AND ITS ENVIRONS "... You gentlemen, not I, are about to make me mayor. I am sure that this kind of patriotism, loyalty and love shall not go unheeded. "I am not here to tell you I think so little of this office as not to want it. I do want it. "If I can discharge my duty to all of you I will get a crown that will reach far beyond the grave. . . ."7 Convinced that he owed it to himself and his backers to make a vigorous campaign, he from then on spoke daily from three to six times. This activity led the Constitution to comment editorially: ". . . Nightly, Atlantans have been treated to the unique spectacle of a multi-millionaire speaking to ward audiences in the open and in tents, asking them to nominate him for a $4000 per year office because the office needed him."8 The campaign was remarkably free from personal aspersions and bitterness . Armistead conducted a clean race, his chief appeals being to the socalled workingmen. Candler, because of his position as a wealthy leader of business, realized that he had to be particularly careful to avoid recriminations and personal charges against his opponent. Indeed, his nature...

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