The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-25
HURD'S WATERLOO !
York County Sheriff Leeses Bidde,.
ford.
ANTI.HURD MEN WIN BY BIG
MARGIN.
Not the Wild Time Which Many Had
Predicted-A Sketch OF Some of the
Features of Picturesque Contest
Convention at Alfred Next Week.
SPECIAL TO TIE pREss.J

Biddeford, JGly 24-From O'Clock
this afternoon till this evening seven
ballot boxes, each bearing the number Of
IA separate ward and each presided over
by committee equally representing the
opposing factions Of the Republican
party in this city, stood upon the stage
Of the Bi'ideford Opera House, open for
the reception Of ballots for delegates to
the county convention.
Intense interest centred in this Bidde-
ford Republican caucus, because en- it's
action hinges, to large degree, the OUT
come of the sheriff fight, which is stirr-
ing up old Yors county from centre to
circumference.
What is the foundation of this sheriff
contest?
There ara two well defined sides 60 the
question and Oh sjther side are arranged
enthusiastic, earnest shouters. Nathan
iel N. Rurd, q Bsrw ick farmer, was
elected sheriff, two years ago, and, fol-
lowing the custom in this county, az
sumed charge of the county jail inlme-
diately after lie took the oath of office.
His administration seems to have given
average satisfaction, up to within a few
months. The criticism of his doings has
claim 80 have no personal feeling against
him, but condemn him because he allows
himself 80 bo led round, as they claim
by his Saco deputy, j. Woodbury. Small
Deputy Small has cut quite figure
In Saco and Biddeford politics during the
latter years of his long service on the
sheriff force, and in that time has made
numerous enemies within the Republican
party. Two separate attempts TO have
him indicted by the grand jury for al
legged oonniVing with liquor sellers
failed. His frleuds claim that these at
tempts to defame him were prosecutions,
pure and simple; while his opponents de-
clare that the grand jury's failure to
brand him did rot restore public conf
d enoe in him.
Whether Deputy Sheriff j. W. Small
is the unjustly abused man his friends
claim him to be, or whether he is dan
gerous political leader, as his opponents
deelare3him, it must be admitted that
as q oampaigner hs has few equals, in
the mum ber of votes he can rally in his
cause So prominent part bas he
taken In the sheriff CONTEST that the
name of his superior officer has been
crowded far into the background.
Sheriff Hurd's followers claim that
their chief desire Is TO "turn down"
some of the old time Republican leaders
who are d power unto themselves
Charges and c0UnteI-ohaFges of unholy
relationship with ths rumsellers are free
ly exchanged.
The special antipathy Of the Hurd end
Small faction Is aimed at City Marshal
Charles 3. Harmon. Messrs. Small and
Harmon long ago had falling out.
Harmon was accused of being mixed up
in the recens attempt to indict Small,
and since the Saco deputy got clear Of
the accusation against him he has been
devoting considerable attention to camp
ing on EarIdon's track.
At the red-hos caucus of two months
ago. when two sets of delegates were
chosen to represent Biddeford at the Ban
gur convention, Marshal Harmon was
present as were also Sheriff Hurd and
Deputy Sheriff Small In the thickest OF
the fight an attempt was made TO run
down the drop-curtain. Marshal HRr-
mon was accused by his enemies with
having advised both the dropping of the
curtain and the turning off of the nlights
in the hall. Here was an opportunity for
the Hurd men to get revenge on Har-
mon. The Young Mems Republican
Club, rival to the York Club. passed
resolutions, declaring that Marshal Har-
mons attitude at the oauous was unbe-
coming public peace preserVer, and ap-
pealing to Sheriff Hurd to revoke Ear-
moK's commission as q deputy sheriff.
The appeal was not in vain. The
sheriff's axe fell, and Harmon became an
x"-deputy, but not till the news of the
sheriff's intention had been proclaimed
throughout Biddeford and 'Saco.
Then followed a stampede of promi-
nent Republicans who had hitherto
taken issue with the sheriff. The fight
has waged hot since then. and every
town has been thoroughly oanVassed.
Each side is claiming g majority of
the delegates thus far chosen. Hurd's
greatest strength is said TO be in the
three Berwicks and adjacent towns.
Sacn, entitled to IS delegates. will send
mp double headed delegation and the
question of choice between them will be
carried into the full convention.
Biddeford's % delegates were prize
worth striving for. That is why Shere
| was SO much interest in tonight's cauous
and why the Republican city committee
| made such elaborate piaus for averting
trouble and giving everybody ample time
| to vote.