Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-02-17

Gossip and Comment.
Tomorrow will end the auietest loca
campaign that Freeland borough has
experienced in several years. Since
both parties made their nominations
there has scarcely been a ripple on the
surface to denote that election day was
approaching. Such condition of af-
fairs was hitherto unknown in the town,
as the February elections previously
brought out the politicians by the scores
and they worked night and day to ac-
complish their desired end. The princi-
pal cause assigned for the lethargy
shown this year is the fact that the re-
suit tomorrow promises to be all one
sided, so far as it relates to the Demo
cratic party in the borough and South
ward. Republicans exhibit no interest
whatever in that portion of their ticket,
and they seem to think that if they can
hold their own in the North ward they
will be doing well.
The Democratic candidates on the
borough ticket, Hugh Shovlin for JUS
tice, John Molik for high constable,
and Charles O'Donnell for auditor, are
all well satisfied with the outlook.
Their Republican opponents are making
no inroads in the Democratic ranks,
while from the Republican side the can
didates named have been assured of
no small number of votes.
The Republicans were never more in
active than they are in this contest, and
seem content, as stated before, to win
in the North ward. This would be
nothing of victory, as their majority
there is very large, but the Democrats
do not intend to allow them to carry off
the laurels in the North without strug-
gle. The candidates, Albert Goeppert
for council, M. e. Fritzinger for school
director, and Patrick Welsh for con-
stable, have canvassed the two districts
of the ward and all are elated at the
condition in which they find the party.
Each of them has received sufficient
promises from Republicans to assure
their election and such result will be
no surprise.
The South ward can be looked for
ward to by tho candidates to do its duty
to Democracy. The ward nominees,
Patrick Meehan and John Shigo for
council, j. f. Sweeney for school direc-
tor and Henry Luhman for constable,
will have a veritable walk-over, not
alone because they are Democrats run
ming in Democratic ward, but because
they are fitted for tho offices they seek
and are men who are progressive and
energetic and just the kind who are
needed on the council and school board
II Freeland is to go forward. There is
not doubt of their election, neverthe-
less every man should vote and make
their majorities something that the
South ward can be proud Of.
1t is well for Democrats of the South
ward to remember that when voting
they must mark the terms of years after
the names of the candidates for council.
A recent decision of Judge Bennett,
which has been published in the TRI-
gUNE, makes this necessary The bor
ough convention nominated Mr.. Meehan
for three years and Mr.. Shigo for one
year. 1t would be well to follow the
decision of the convention and mark
the ballots accordingly. The specimen
ballots give instructions of what is re-
quired of the voter, and all who are in
doubt should procure sample ballot
before voting. This matter ought not
be overlooked, for trouble may result If
the law is not strictly followed.
Politics in Foster township have un-
dergone many changes in the past week.
The Republican candidates, in spite of
the large number of votes they thought
they had to spare have suddenly realiz-
ed that the platform they are on is
shaky, unstable and not to be trusted,
and they have struck out, every man for
himself. Their friends have followed
suit, and the natural consequence is a
demoraized crowd of politicians, each
trying to get ahead of the other
The Democrats, on the other hand,
have taken new courage and are stand
ing together like men, refusing all
OIltTS W butil VI w
ter into deals of any kind. Each will
receive many votes from that class Of
Independent Republicans who believe
the time has come to rebuke the lead
ers who have dragged the party's name
through mire and mud, and other Re-
publicans, who realize that desperate
diseases require desperate remedies,
have signifed their intention to vote the
straight Democratic ticket this year in
order that the men at the head of the
machine will hereafter understand that
public position is public trust and
that office-holders have no authority to
use their places to further personal re-
venge or to repay personal favors.
The outlook in Foster is certainly fa-
vorable for the defeat of the ticket that
is masquerading under the name of Re-
publcanism.