" Deur Sir, -- Impressed with the belief that the people of the 23(1 and 24th Wards reciuire that they should have in the Board of Aldermen a representative whose past e.\perience in and devotedness to public matters affecting this District will afford a guaranty that their interests will be fully protected and cared for, and believing, from our past acquaintance with you and your pubhc course iu the Legislature, that you M'ould, when elected as .\lderman, faithfully represent the people of the District, we earnestly request that you will permit the use of your name as a candidate for Alderman. We assure you of the hearty co-operation and support of ourselves and the electors of the District."

Mr. Wells was, accordingly, nominated by the Republican Convention for member of the Board of Aldermen of 1881, indorsed by a mass convention of citizens and triumphantly elected in a Presidential campaign over his opponent, the nominee of the united Democratic party, and was the only Republican chosen in the district. A mass convention of the people nominated him for member of the Board of Aldermen for 1882. He was also nominated by the Republicans and elected. Similar action was taken by the people of the district and his party in the fall of that year, and he was elected to the board for 1883. He was nominated for 1884, but declined the honor. Contrary to his wishes, however, his name was presented to the public by his friends and he came within a few votes of being elected to the board for the fourth time. He was a member of the Committee on Public Works during his three terms in the board, and in 1882 was chairman of that committee, an unusual honor for a Republican in a Democratic board. His position on this committee enabled him to be of great service to the Twentythird and Twenty- fourth Wards, and the large number of much-needed jiublic improvements which have been made within the past few years is evidence of his industry in personally preparing the necessary measures, and his ability and success in securing their enactment.