Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-06
POLITICS IN MERCER.
No Lack Of Citizens Willing to
Look After the Old Coun-
ty's Interests
IN SOME PUBLIC POSITION.
The Near Approach of the Nomi-
mating Convention
MAKING REPUBLICANS HUSTLE.
The Names of the Leading Candidates, and
Some Opinions
lAKING REPUBLICANS HUSTLE.
AS TO THOSE WHO MAY BE SUCCESSFUL
CORRESPONDING OF THE DISPATCH

has been plowed, subsoiled, narrowed and
cross-harrowed the past few days as never
before. An abundance of seed aud chaf
have been scattered broadcast, some of it,
no doubt, falling on stony places, and to
know how much will bear fruit we must
wait until the Goth, when the hopes of the
few and the disappointments of the many
will be realized.
This will be the first large nominating
convention since the new rules were adopted
to govern the selection of candidates, and
the question now OF greatest interest to can
didates and their friends is, ''How are the
new rules likely to work." One thing has
already been made plain; they allow the
candidates golden opportunity to work,
and the fellow who isn't hustler or does
not have friends who are hustlers, will find
his name written in the Dennis column.
UNDER THE NEW RULES
the electors meet at their respective places
of holding elections, and vote for the candI-
dates of their choice. The one receiving the
highest vote is regarded as the first choice
of the district the next highest second
choice, and the next third choice. The dele
gate elected to attend the convention must
Irict is entitled, in accordance with their
opinion as expressed at this election. If
but one candidate has been voted for, then
the delegate is free, after that one is out of
the way, to vote his district as he pleases; or
If but two have been voted for, he can use
his pleasure as to third choice; but If three
have received votes, he must support them
in turn until they are all off before he can
vote for any other.
MI III o Al.
Dispatch Republican of those who are not
only willing, but ANXIOUS, to serve the dear
people and themselves in some capacity.
A few years ago It was the custom for
every old soldier who announced himself as
a candidate, to give the name of the COM
pany and regiment to which he belonged
when in the service; but, though there are
several old soldiers among the candidates
this year, only two call attention to the Eact
in their announcement. One candidate
adds this to his announcement: Zone terms
receipts from this Office are enoQgh." As
might be inferred from this, the fellow be is
trying to oust has served one term. One
candidate for Assembly announces himself
as a blacksmith, while another, for commits
sioner, sets forth that he is farmer. With
these exceptions there is nothing to denote
the vocation of the different candidates, but
it is evident they are one and all willing to
drop their present business for the sake of
holding "a bit of IN otiS.'
SLATE AND BLACKBOARD.
Heretofore the existence of political ring
has been strongly suspected and charged.
1t was the ring against the field, with the
field usually left out in the wet. This year
there has been a dissolution of partnership
among the leaders, and there are now two
rings, or ring and a ringlet; or one might
be termed a slate and the other blackboard
> Your correspondent does not claim to be
political prophet, but present indications
point to results which he will outline, though
material changes NAV take place within the
ten davs vet to come before the convention
The contest for Congress is carried on by
Mai. Alex Mcdowell, the jolly banker of
Sharon and Hon. j. C. Brown, late Of the
Greenville AdUdnce-ArguS. Both are we'll
and favorably known, but the drift of
opinion seems to be that Mcdowell will have
an easy victory, in the county, even if it
proves to be an empty honor in the district.
Following are the candidates for Assem-
bly,: J. S. Fruit Sharon; l. H. Robb.
Sandy Lake; Benjamin Hughes, Pardoe;
W. H. Miller, Greenville; l. B. Spier,
Greenville; Henry Hall, Mercer; W. ].
Harshaw, Grove City; Joseph Miller, Pine
township.
and Hall, who have served two terms, will
again be nominated. The fight for third
place seems to be among Robb, Spier and
Harshaw, with the odds in favor OF Robb.
FOR THE sHRIEvALTY.
The candidates for sheriff are: A. II.
Burnett, New Vernon; Samuel Dunham,
Sharpsville; Charles Clawson, Mercer, and
i. r. Welch, Grove City. 1t was thought
at first that Clawson would have walk
over Tor this Office, but Burnett has deVel-
oped unexpected strength the past few days.
He has been a candidate several times and
always bore defeat gracefully. 1t is prob
aDlv a question Of now or never with him,
and the tide of sympathy that sometimes
carries victory in its wake may put Burnett
through, though it Will be victory for the
ringletif he gets there.
One of the most spirited contests is going
on to decide who shall be Clerk of Courts
Following are the candidates: S. V. Nc
Dowell, Delaware township; c. W. Ray,
Sharon; J. c. Van Orsdell, Wilmington
township; G. E. Hamilton, French Creek
township; S. d. Downs HempfeId town.
ship; S. A. Wilson, Stoneboro; H. H.
ZeiSler, Mercer. Most OF them are hustlers,
and the man in this county who doesn't
know that we are to elect Clerk of Courts
this fall must have been taking Rip Van
Wrinkle sleep. 1t looks as if Downs, Ray
and Zeigler would lead the field in the order
named to start with, but where it will end
is as uncertain as the verdict of a petit
iurv 1t would to-day likely be Downs but
what it will be on the 20th is not so easy to
predict Downs has made tolerably sue
cessful effort thus far to keep from becoming
identified with either ring or ringlet to hurt
his chances with the others.
o~-Tr rr1vo CAOnTnArrc
The Prothonotary contest lhas narrowed
down 70 B. ]. Haywood the present in
cumbent, and T. A. Courtney, of Mercer.
HAYWOOD has had considerable of a pull at
the public teat, but as ne has made a most
competent and courteous officer, and, be-
sides. is one of the keeDest of Mercer
countv's keen politicians, it is thought,
even bv many of his opponents friends,
that HAYWOOD will be his own successor.
Mr.. Courtney is qualified Tor the position
and is popular. He is making his fight
against the underlying principle OF civil
service reform, however, and using the plea
that one term is sufficient.
The candidates for Treasurer are W. II.
Beii. OF GreeLviIle; w. j. Graham, OF Jack
son Center, and w. II. Digit, of Mercer.
The 6ght is wholly between Bell and
Graham, and will be typical con-
test between the ring and ringlet. This
Office, ior some reason, has been claimed
by the farmers for several years, and one of
their number chosen to fill ii, but this year
will be an exceptions as Bell is cashier of the