Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-10-16
once of County Commissioner.
DELAwARE. Oct. Il. 1890

DELAWARE, Oct. IA, 1896.
Mr.. EDITOR:-If you will allow me n
little space in your paper in which to pre-
sent my views on the County Commits
sioners matter. l may be able to satisfy
some people why a large and influential
body of Republicans is not satisfied with
she present situation. know you are not
responsible for the sentiments l may ex-
press, and you may not subscribe to them,
having our own family paper we feel like
expressing the family feelings. There are
twelve divisions in the county each of
which may desire to have the honor of be-
ing represented by an official at the county
seat whose office represents something of
profit. The officer of that kind the Re
publicans have heretofore been able GER
tainly to elect Is that of County Commits
sloner. Now IL man is entitled to a re-
election as seems to be the rule it would
take seventy-two years before each dis
tr1ct could be represented. Jas. M. Bens-
ley of Lehman, was elected in 1881 by a
majority of 9, and following the rule he
was reelected in 1884 without opposition
Not satisfied with two terms in 1887 he was
again candidate and was defeated Now
he comes before the people again asking a
third term. On what ground does he base
his claim Is ii his fitness for the office
OF because the party owes him a debt of
gratitude which it can only repay by Civ
ing him the only profitable situation at its
command What is the record of this
would-be chronic office holder 2 1t is
notorious that while in office he was waste
ful and extravagant with the money of the
people. In plain violation of law as / un-
derstand 1t he voted an appropriation of
81 800 and as much more as might he ne
cessary'i in the Greening case.
In 1886 this Bensley was one of the hoard
Whlch levied 10 mill tax for county pur-
poses and mills for indebtedness, when
the auditors settlement showed balance
In the treasurer's hands of $3,45Q15. Can
he or his friends point TO one redeeming
trait In his official career as an economist
Of the county money or in days spent in
the Office And W hat does the party owe
paid
Last spring at the township election he
ran as bolter; so party fealty is not in
the catagory. He does not deserve, meas
ured by any standard, the recognition
which he now demands. True, he was
nominated by the convention, but that did
not express the senti ments of the Republi-
cans of this county / am eredibiy in
formed that In one township at least, his
own, the notices in part for holding Of the
cauc us 20 elect delegates were not posted
until the day succeeding the meeting. and
IL Is also alleged that IN other townships the
delegates were secured by promises which
It was never intended should be kept, while
IN ouners local candidates controlled the
roAeb-eN2 PotoAJ ~ lAlt luttft5b OF Bcnsley.
am opposed TO the man and to the meth
ods by which he procured himself to be
nominated, and do not believe that with
such a man for a candidate or such meth
DDS the party can put forth its strength
and grow
Mr., bensley has no claims ON the party
that have not been amply satisfied, and he
should be made TO slep down and allow
somo other part of the county a share of
dne honOrs and emoluments OF office.
There Is no incentive for any one to work
II one man must reap all the rewards.
FAIR PLAY.