Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

492 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1SS6.
whehningly elected. ]Mr. Trask had been alderman every year since
the city started, and his intimate knowledge of local affairs eminently
fitted him for the position. The aldermen elected with him were James
M. Blanchard, W. C. Stnrtevant, David Smith,
Daniel Reynolds, William E. Montague, Henry
Adams, James P. Chapman, and Harve}' Foster.
The local democrats organized
in August, 1855, for the campaign
by appointing a city committee,
with "William Patton, chairman.
Ansel Phelps, Jr.,
announced himself
a convert to the
-'^-- administration.
The city appro-
priations for 1855
were about $65,000,
and the debt about
$100,000, mainly
due to the new City
Hall account. Spring-
field had now reached
13,780 in population.
Ansel Phelps had
announced his poli-
tical conversion in
the nick of time.
City Hall Tower and Church Spires.
The democrats put
him up for mayor
and elected him in December, 1855, with a vote of 884, the Know-
nothings being completely routed. Mr. Trask received 665 votes,
and George Bliss 200. The aldermen were Samuel S. Day, Henry
Fuller, Jr., Fdnnmd Freeman, Stephen C. Bemis. Thomas H. Allen,