Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-01
IN BITTER EARNEST.
The Randall Club Fight Is Growing
Intensely Hot.
SOME CAMPAIGN LITERATURE
In Which Pointed Charges and Insinua-
tions Are Made.
MAYORALTY CONTEST WARMING UP

dali Club eXclteu considerable attention
yesterday in political circles, and the. cleo.
tion OF club officers, which occurs this even
ing, will be as fercely contested as any
political fight ever waged in this city.
Circulars of an almost vicious character
were issued BY both factions
John E. McCrickart, the present record
ing secretary and candidate for reelection,
sent out one circular over his signature. In
it he strongly indorsed S. A. Duncan for
reelection as President, accuses George
Fleming, the syndicate's candidate, OF be-
ing a calamity bowler in regard to the
clubs affairs, and declares Fleming would
not have had any use for the club or its
presidency had not Mr.. Cleveland been
elected. He charges that Mr.. Fleming never
took any interest il the club in the past
and was a stranger in it until the "syndi-
cate' nominated him. To syndicate mem
bers he applies such terms as "Shylocks"
and "brokers in licenses" and says that
the financial troubles of the organization
have been created and fostered by them.
Mr.. Duncan, he says, has done much good
for the club. has always been a good, con-
scientious officer and has always had the
right hand of fellowship extended to all
good Democrats.
Campaign Documents.
The "Randall ub Syndicate" is the only
signature to the other circular. which opens
by declaring the club has been losing
ground for some time owing to the utter
incompetency of its officers, and urges
radical change as the only RENE
dy. The business affairs are de-
scr1bed as being demoralized and
Secretary McCrickart's recent statement of
the condition of the organization as state
ment chow not to show it." Such express
sions as deceptive juggling of facts" are
used in connection with the statement. 1t
is claimed the Secretary included the prop
erty occupied by the club in the statement
as an asset, and with it a gain and
surplus is figured out, when the club
is really paying rent, never paid cent of
purchase money and no surplus exists The
circular concludes by calling on all men,
bers for their support of Mr.. Fleming and
complete change in the club officers. Men,
bers are asked to send their proxies in Mr..
Fleming's favor if they can't attend the
election.
A printed ballot accompanies the circular
containing the names OF the syndicate can
didates. Seven trustees appear on the
| ticket, but it is understood the syndicate
votes will be concentrated on only four to
insure their election.
The Mayoralty Fight.
No change from the previous days condi-
| tions were noticed in the contest for the
hat in
| Kerr's candidacy for the Demo-
cratic nomination received little more
attention than it had previously received.
Among the politicians of both parties the
opinion c1Presscd that -McKenna
| would receive the Democratic nomination
and DR.. McCandless that of the Republican
| party. McKenna yesterday set up all his
delegates, and his friends predict his cleo
| tion.
J. NJ Guffey yesterday stated his posi-
tion and said:
81 am not a candidate for the nomination
| of Mayor I appreciate very much the en-
couragement and support offered to me by
the press and people of both political par
| ties, and am sorry cannot accede to their
desires, but my business interests require
| all my time and make it impossible for me
| to accept any office"
Mr. Guffey also declared his belief that
| Mayor Gourley should be indorsed for Con-
| troller on the Democratic ticket in event of
his coming out for that Office. He said he
was pot opposed to Controller Morrow,
however, and if he is a candidate thought
he should be reelected.
Larkin in the Fight.
John B. Larkin, representing the faction
of the party opposed to Mr.. Guffey, also
came out in a declaration for McKenna
This is considered an important point for
the Democratic candidate. Mr.. Larkin took
the same position as Mr.. Guffey relative to
Mayor Gourley's candidacy for Controller
Regarding the Republican ticket COM
| paratively little was heard. The leaders
were all non committal but DR.. McCandless
| and his friends were busy. The allegation
that there was any weakening in his sup
port was vigorously denied by the Doctor,
who said he would be nominated without
difficulty. Like Mr.. McKenna, some of
the doctors party are predicting
his defeat even if he does Sc
| cure the nomination, but unbiased judges
say these two candidates with Beinhauer
pulling on the Southside would make q
pretty even fight. c. L. Msgee's attitude
toward DR.. McCandless Is causing much
talk and 81 eculation, but that gentleman
has nothing to say one way or the other.
Controller Morrow still declines to say
he will accept denomination. There is
some talk of his being named for Mavor