Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-27
A BIG COURT HOUSE FIGHT.

| Appointment of the Mercantile Ap.
prs.iser-Possible That a Dark Horse
or Even . Democrat May Finally Be
Chosen.
For the past ten days there has been In
progress very interesting political fight,
the conbatants being queer combination
of the party rulers, the would-be rulers,
and a couple of Office holders on the Repub-
lican side of the fence. The row is all
about the appointment of the merchantile
tax appraiser. The appointments must be
made on or before next Thursday Decem-
Der 81. Although the job only lasts
three months it is worth about 1000 over
and above all expenses to the appraiser,
who receives a commission of 80 cents, and
fees and perquisites averaging 10 cents
more on every business establishment in
the county that is assessed for mercantile
tax.
Naturally such a good-paying plum is
eagerly sought for every time the appoint
ment is to be made. The selection is in the
hands of the County Commissioners. As
the dominant party has majority of the
Commissioners the Democrats usually
place, but this year their candidates pros
poets seem as bright as those of the Repub-
ican applicants.
Emory Thompson, of McKeesport, and
Harry Fehl, of the East End, are the Re-
publican candidates. The Democratic ap-
plicant is a dark horse. There is no chance
for more than one Democratic candidate,
because there is but one Democratic Com
missioner, but there are two Republican
Commissioners. Robert Mercer, one of
these, is for Thompson, while James G.
Weir, the other, is for Fehl.
The Backers of Thompson.
Thompson is a clerk in the Office of Regis
ter Sam Conner. He was candidate for
postmaster at McKeesport, it will be re-
membered, being backed by Hon. John
Dalzell. His successful opponent, backed
by Colonel 7. NJ. Bayne, or some of his
friends, produced lot of alleged evidence
against Thompson, showing how, when a
member of the Legislature, Thompson had
travelled rapidly and was therefore not a
proper person to be one of Wanamaker's
pstmasters. Thompson and his friends indig-
nantly denied the charges, but, although they
had spent lot of money the Bayne candidate
won the appointment. Register Conner was
one of Thompson's friends and it is said fur
nished most fthe money for his successful
fight, after which he gave him a place in
the Registers office.
By threatening to- throw the party
strength of McKeesport and the Southside
in favor of ANDY Fulton in the next fight
for County Recorder, Conner and Thompson
have forced Won Bonnhorst into their sup
port, and through him claim to have secured
even more powerful influence. As Com
missioner Mercer is to be Mayoralty can
didate, he is in a perplexing position on
account of the strength behind Harry Fehl.
Fehl is a clerk in the Department of
Public Safety. His position is an easy. one,
but don't pay much of salary. Feh1 has
been faithful worker in politics. and to
Chief Brown has been invaluable in a num-
Der of campaigns. Naturally Brown, with
his usual adherents, is supporting Fehl, and
can have much to say as to who gets the ap-
polntment His power is what Mercer is
afraid of and what Weir respects. for it is
said Weir is for Fehl. The latter has also
the support of Chiefs Bigelow and Elliott
and Magistrates Hyndman and Gripp.
Bigelow and Gripp Change Ground.
Bigelow and Gripp were for Thompson, it
is said, until they learned that he was be-
ing backed in order to be placed in posi-
tion to return former favors. Elliott is
quoted as saying, when he heard this that
"a man who is making 81, 900 month, and
who is not willing to paw few hundred to
help political friend along, is not much of
a friend for anyone to have.
The charities chief, it is understood, is
not much enamored of Conner nor of anv
of the Southside leaders. Conner has been
exhibiting strong desire to become
political power. and his prospects depend
largely upon his winning this fight.
With this peculiar arrav of antagonists
on either side, both determined to win,
there is a danger that neither Fehl nor
Thompson will make it, and either COM
promise candidate or Democrat be elected.
Commissioner Boyle is said to have delared
that he would not vote for Republican
under any circumstances. The gentleman
was seen yesterday, and when asked how he
stood, slyly winked the other eye and with