The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-10
.fAHEY HAS THE committee
Friends Of Judge Smith Made an Ef-
fort to Get 1t Away from Him.
THEY PLAYED ON DIX. KELLEY
Ex.Shcriff Was Firm in Ills Resolve to
Have His Enemies a Hopeless Mi.
nOrity and the Candidate for
Coroner Swung Into Line.

Ex-Sherif John ]. Fahey's DEM
ocratic county committee, which was
given to the public Tuesday, was de-
cided upon only after many conferences,
some Threatening and not a little cajol-
ing. As named, however, it Is n Fahey
committee: of that there Is no doubt.
although ex-County Chairman John f.
Roche, who led the opposition to mfr.
Fahey for chairman of the committee,
Is given place on the committee.
whIon consists of forty members, fifteen
more than MIR. Fahey originally in
tended it should
When Mr. .Fahey made his dashing
and successful battle for the chairman
ship of the Democratic county conven-
tion he did not do 1t for the empty honor
Of the chairmanshlp; he was fighting
for the control of the local organization
and his success warranted him in be-
lieving that he would be potent in the
formation of the committee that will
direct Democratic affairs in Lackawan
ma for the next year.
He won his battle in the convention,
but found that he did not yet have the
reins in his own hand. The fight
against him was made on the ground
that he was unfrendly to Judge Smith
and that the latter should nave a coun-
ty chairman and q committee at his
home who would accept his advice in
conducting the campaign. This issue
was raised. Mr. Fahey and his friends
did not hesitate to say, that the real OBJ
ject his opponents were fighting for
might be concealed. The eX-sheriff
said he was not unfriendly to Judge
Smith and would do what in his power
lay to secure his election, but that did
not end the fight.
Tried to Get the Committee.
There was an exciting struggle in the
convention and the Smith people only
acknowledged defeat after they were
squarely beaten. Then another test
was taken. In the preliminary strug-
gle over the chairman, A. B. Dunning,
jr., the candidate for surveyor. took
no part whatever. He had no opposi-
ton and refused to become embroiled in
the factional fight. DR.. Kelley was not
in such a fortunate position. While he
tried to keep aloof from the ch4rman-
ship fight, circumstances drew him to
a certain extent into the Fahey camp,
and the latters victory resulted in his
nomination..
Then it was that his troubles began.
Fahey naturally concluded the doctor
would lend a willing ear to his sugges-
tion regarding the men to compose the
county committee, for the eX-sherin
had determined that at least great
majority of those honored with place
on ii would be his staunCh and loyal
friends.
Candidate Dunning was not expected
to give any trouble, as he had been all
too anxious to keep entirely out OF the
squabble. When the time came foi
Fahey, Dunning and Dr. Kelley to meet
and name the county committee the
ex-sherin found that he had some
breakers still ahead. Mr.. Dunning had
little to say one way or the other but
DR.. Kelley had been seen by members
of the Smith faction, who talked mar
mony to him, and he thought 1t good
idea to give that division OF the party
a big representation on the committee:
This would make Mr. Fahey's control
of IL extremely problematical.
Right at this point is where the latter
arose and declared himself.
To the Victor Belongs tho Spoils.~
He plainly informed the doctor that
ne had been on the fence lons ehoush-
that 1t was time for him to come down
and get in out of the cold. He further
informed the man of medicine that he
had not made the fight of his life for
the purpose of handing the spoils over
to defeated contingent. 1t would be d
graceful act, he admitted. but, fearing
his opponents would not appreciate 1t
fully. he decided to be practical and
business-like.
A committee was not named that
day.
Then DR.. Kelley was summoned to
Judge Smiths Office, where he met sew
eral of the leading men of that wing
of the party and they told him to be
firm and fear not; that he was entitled
to a voice in the makeup of the COM
mittee, and that he should insist on his
rights.
ITS all right for you to talk about
standing firm" replied the doctor, "but
Fahey Is determined to control that
committee. and l tell you he's going to
do 1t. There's no use In making fuss
about It,"
But are you going to allow him to
usurp your right?" he was asked.
Better to lose some of my rights
than lose the office" was the doctors
laconic rejoinder. land that's what will
happen. I'm afraid if l act stubborn in
this matter"
Arguments was unavailing to induce
the doctor to believe that he was taking
too serious view Of the trouble.
The Committeeman Endorsed.
Efforts were also made to induce A.
b. Dunning, jr.. to insist on the appoint
ment of men who would neutralize the
Fahey influence on the committee, but
1t was not very successful. After sew
eral meetings and adjournments to try
and make terms. the committee was
finally made up Tuesday. as announced
In yesterdays Tribune.
1t Is headed by Attorney James J.
O'Neill. of Carbondale, who is a warm
friends of Fahey's and has fought with
him In several campaigns. He was as
sistant district attorney under John y.
Kelly, who Is one of Fahey's warm sup
porters. The fact that Attorney ONeill
read law in Judge Smiths Office Is nre-