The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-05-16
PARTY WRECK
ERS REBUKED.
Tammany Methods Dent Go in
Somerset County.
r. w. BIssecker Reelected Chair
man OF the Republican Coun-
ty Committee.

r. w. BIssecker Reelected Chair
man of the Republican Coun-
ty Committee.
If results count for anything, then Messrs
]. A. BeFkey, s. L. Sbober and the laiters
man Friday-E II. Werner, etc. have in
deiibly stamped upon their oraniums the
fact that 'the carly bird doesn't always catch /
the wormn
Relying upon the former as a brilliant |
and aggressive leader, the above ooterie set
TO work some time ego to wreck the Repub-
lican party organization in this county |
They simply represented the enemies OF par
ty organization who have been seeking to
gain control for years past, and the |
fight they made was nothing more or less
than an attempt 10 revive the old independ
ent movement, which has happily died out in |
nearly every voting district in the county, |
excepting the Borough of 5omerse;; and right |
here it might be well TO remark that the yot-
ers ofSomerset set down ON the movement
with crushing effect.
The tactics resorted TO by this vigorous
leader and his small following of vigorous
satellites were the most shameful ever intro
daeed into Pennsylvania politics. They sa-
vor strongly Of the tactics resOried TO by
the Tammanyites Of New York, and posi-
bly, are an adaptation OF those enforced by
Boss" Croker.
; ore than a year ago Mr.. Bsrkey set to
] a q ~ sE.as- Of ftsa
publican County Committee.
The grossest and most contemplate mis-
representation was resorted TO TO bring about
his els,tion, but the voters of Somerset
county believe in fair play and are not yet
/ prepared 10 see their excellent organization
handed over to those who have been seeking
TO destroy it, Nearly every district in the
county spoke on the matter at Saturday,
/ election in a tone that cannot b. mistaken.
! Bat b revert 10 the tactics res)rted 70 by
Berkey s sdherent's. In Somerset township
Samuel Wendell was elected Committeeman
al the primary last Jane Mr. Wendell was
a candidate in bis district for tax
collector at the Republican primary
held in February. In order
10 boom himself for tax collector he resigned
the position Of Committeeman and asked
that his successor be appointed. Here is
his letter Of resignation
10 Fr,d ". Biesocter, Chairman Of GIe Re-
publican Coaaairse Of Soners,f Co, Pa:
DEAR SIE.-
Please take notice that hereby tender my
Of II nVfIh-
liean party for the township of Somerset IN
said county, 10 which was elected last June
and ask yoa 10 appoint some one IN my
S. NJ. WESDEL.
The rules governing the party organization
provide that the Chairman, with the APPROX
al OF the executive committee. shall appoint
members Of tie Republican party as com
rnitteemen TO i'll vacancies" Chairman
Biesecker appointed William Winters
committeeman and he held the February
primary, at which Wendell was candidate
for tax collector.
Some lime ago, perhaps two weeks, Mr..
Winters engaged the election house Of SOM
erset township for the purpose Of holding
Saturdays primary in it. Friday, word was
brought to Chairman Biesecker that Mr.
Weudie proposed to take possession of the
voting house and deny admittance to the
properly constituted election board Friday
evening Mr. Biesecker called upon the own
er of tie buildiaE-Mr. Mahlon Bdrket-
and asked for the keys. Burket told him
that The house was open and that there were
no keys to it. Mr. J. A. Berkey called upon
Burket the same evening, but We have no
way Of learning the subject Of their conver-
sation. ANY way, whel Mr.. Winters and
his clerks, accompanied by Chairman pro
tea Of the County Committee, J. c. Lowry,
Z and Secretary Geo +. ScGll, went to the
election house at an early hour Saturday
: | morning. they found the doors locked and
Messrs. Wendell, George Spangler and anoth'
erin possession. Winters aroused the own
: er of the building and asked TO be put in
possession of the house, agreeing at tht
: time to permit Nr. Wendell and his aSsoci
a.es 10 remain in the building until morn
: ing when the voters could gathei
and decide who was the legal committee
D man. This, Burket declined to do. He ask
ed Wendell if he would let Winters in th'
; building, and when the former refused Burk
} ct declined to grant Winters permission to
a enter it. Burket Acknowledged that he had
y rented the building to Winters for the day
but positively refused to give him posses
> sion.
Saturday morning Mr.. Winters again Wis
tied the voting house and asked to be ad
= mitted. lie was again refused admission
} lie then appealed TO the owner of tn
building to be placed in possession but wa
< again refused. Then Winters asked Burk
Il cts permission to erect 4 voting booth OF
. his property and this request was also refds
y ed. Burket's sympathy in the matter wa
so clearly manifest that Committeeman
P Winters made no further requests Of hin
but erected a canvass on the public high
u way in front Of the voting house and unde
which he opened up the legal poll for Som
erset township.
While this was going on s. L. ShO5er
d among others, was urging voters to cas-
d their ballots at the poll which had beel
sr opened by Wendell in the election house g
-e half hour before the time set by the rule
h for opening them Il IS alleged that the
a succeeded in getting twenty five voters {
lie cast their ballots at Wenders poll befor
al Winters and his clerks had opened the regu
d lar poll. About nine O'Clock in the morr
Is ing the question was raised as to whether @
not Wendell had resigned the Office Of Com
Of milteemaD, and when the resignation wa
II produced and be acknowledged the signaiur
IS to be in his hand writing the voters turne
le from him in a body and went TO the reguls
1t poll under the canvass and cast their vote
d Some Of the voters declared that they ha
"a been misled into voting at Wendel's pfivai
be poll, and fearing that some legal complies
ton might arise declined to vote at the re;
lie ular poll. To show the desperation Of ii
IS Berkey adherents and their great desire
y. secure the vote of the Somerset townshi
a committeeman for him for County Chaii
C. man, they went to one Of the township 81
- I s.- A. Lvsn,r,al and aeEad him