Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-02-11
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.
SOME OF THE MEN WHO ARE LOOK
ING FOR FREELAND OFFICES.
A Few Paragraphs Concerning Seekers
of the Most Prominent Positions-Dem-
ocrats UnquestionabIy Have One of the
Strongest Tickets Named for Some Time.

| ocrats UnquestionabIy Have One of TIL,
Strongest Tickets Named for Some Time
Inasmuch as politics have become
more or less interesting this week, il
may not be amiss to say something about
the personality of those candidates who
| aspire to the more important offices Of
the borough. The men who are seek.
ing the position of burgess naturally are
the most conspicuous in the eyes of the
citizens, as the Office is an importani
one and upon the occupant depends, tc
very large extent, the good order and
welfare of the borough. That the bur.
CESS should be man who can be relied
upon to enforce the local laws impair.
TALLY, honestly and without fear or
favor is too well known to dwell upon,
and it is hoped that each of those who
have been nominated for that office is
such man.
On the Democratic ticket the candi-
date is James M. Gallagher, young
man whose knowledge of the borough
and the duties of the office is equal to
that of any person in the town, with the
probable exception of those who have
filled the position. For three years past
he has been chief of police of Freeand,
and during that time not one complaint
has been made of the manner in which
he performed his work. For two years
before becoming chief he served as a
regular officer, and acquitted himself on
every occasion in a style which com
manded the respect of the citizens and
finally won him his promotion. His five
years experience on the police force
gave him various opportunities to be-
come acquainted with the best methods
of preserving order and proper restric-
tions in town like this, and it is need
less to state that he possessed the intel
ligence, ambition and common sense to
profit by his experience.
Mr. Gallagher is objected to in some
quarters as being too young to be in
trusted with the power invested in chief
burgess. The best answer to this is to
examine closely into his record since he
began to vote in town. AS chief of po-
lice he was given hundreds of chances
In the five years past to show any indis-
cretions that might be in him, and, al
though during that period he passed
through some ordeals which would have
made the average man lose his head the
candidate acquitted himself at all times
without a blemish upon himself or the
important position he held. If elected,
Mr.. Gallagher will have passed his twen-
ty-ninth birthday before the date set for
taking the oath of office, and man
of twenty-nine is just little too old to
be cried down with the charge of being
"too young"
On the Republican side the candidate
is Stephen Drasher, quite popular man
in some respects and one who might
make good burgess. Mr.. Drasher's
nomination, however, does not give salts
faction to the the voters of his own
party, and from them it is learned that
he will be bitterly opposed at the polls
for various reasons. Perhaps the most
important of these is the fact that he is
in the saloon business. This, while not
unlawful nor illegal, is raised as bar
10 his electio by many people who have
conscientious scruples against the bust
ness, and they advance the claim that
it would be unwse and improper to make
saloonkeeper burgess of the town.
There was rumor about that the candi-
date intended to leave the saloon, but
this has lost ground since it was learned
that he has applied for renewal of his
license. Several of the ministers and
others interested in church work have
taken up this question, and it is safe to
predict that partisanship will be thrown
aside when many Republican 60 to vote
for burgess.
A. A. Bachman, the Democratic NOM
inee for tax collector, is known as one
of the foremost citizens of town, For
many years he has been engaged in bus
iness here, is the possessor of property,
and wherever he is known he is known
as man thoroughly honest. Three
years ago he was an aspirant for the
same HOuludJlOH, Duu was ue1GAteu at
the caucus. He gracefully accepted the
will of the majority, and when he pre-
sented himself as candidate this year
the party recognized his loyalty and his
capability by giving him the nomina-
tion. Neither in his public nor private
life can anything be found that is dis
credtable to his reputation. Assur-
ances have been received from many of
the staunchest Republicans in the bor-
ough that the action Of the Democrats
in recognizing men like Mr.. Bachman
compels them to give the whole Demo-
cratic ticket their votes as we'll as their
vigorous support.
Thomas Lewis is the candidate for
this office on the Republican ticket
Previous to the annexation of the Wood
side districts to the borough he was
resident of Foster township, where he
took an active part in politics. Some of
his activity, it is alleged, was not at all
times in the interest of his party's can