The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-08-12
THE FIGHT
FOR CONTROL !
The Republican Factions Laying Plans
For Next Year.
SHERIFF FIGHT ASSUMING SHAPE
The Democrats are Anxiously Awaiting the
Outcome Of the Republican oOnven-
tion on Monday Next-The
Recent State Delegate
Election


workers is manifested now than when / last
wrote my budget of news. Right here I
must beg your pardon, for failing to send you
regularly weekly letter. The fact of the
matter is l have been rusticating among the
mountains and listening to the sad sea waves
for the past two weeks. While away /
mingled with number of the Republican
state leaders, and had few moments chat
with the 'old man" and his colleague in the
Senate, Boies Penrose.
The latter manifests great interest in
Schuylkill county politics, and was especially
interested in the election of state delegates
In saying this / do not mean to imply that
our mutual friend, Boies, issued orders" =" but
the fact that the two State Senators and
Congressman, to say nothing of the gallant
Major Finney, were candidates for state dele
gate naturally created unusual interest
among the state leaders The result may
have surprised the latter, but long ago pre-
dicted the outcome almost as it actually oc-
cured
The defeat of Coyle and Wyatt while it
may have been tremendous surprise to
many, will act as a warning to others within
the Republican fold, and will of necessity
cause the formation of new alliances. Coyle's
disastrous defeat relegates him to the rear,
and in the natural course of events places
him in the position of leader without fol-
lowers. Those WHO supported him in the
past under the supposition that he had favOrs
| to bestow will now desert his banner and vow
allegiance to the victors. 1t was ever thus.
The people have no use for a loser, especially
in politics While the Senator fully realizes
that he is in bad grace with the people of
his district, this fact does not affect his
equilibrium to the extent that his defeat has
1 upon the state leaders. On one or two occa-
siOns he assured the latter that he and Wyatt
4 would represent the First district in the state
convention; but they wont, for the very good
reason that the Republican voters desired
some one else. It is bad enough to be de-
feated in fight for personal yindication, but
to fall in grace at headquarters" is adding
insult to injury
Viewing the result from this distance, It
strikes me that Coyle met a foe worthy of
his steel. Messrs Straughn and Brill, the
successful candidates, are entitled to much
credit and have placed themselves in line for
further advancement in the line of political
hOnors. By the aid of small army of sup
porters, each contributing to the common
cause, they fought their battle and gained
their victory. And that is the one thing
necessary in politics.
In the Fourth district we had a battle
royal, and the result was a division of honors.
Congressman Brumm and Major Finney were
both successful. 1t is true Senator Losch fell
by the wayside, but he tells his friends that
his fight was not so much to secure his own
election but to make common cause with
Finney. LOsch threw his strength to the
latter and while it may appear on the sur
face as a defeat for the bald-headed states
man his friends take an entirely different
view of the matter.
The Republican hosts will be lined up
again on Saturday, when the party prim-
aries will be held for the election of delegates
to the county convention, which meets in
this town on Monday. Interest centres in
the fight for Sheriff, and the large number OF
candidates in the field makes the outcome
very uncertain. The candidates so far an.
nounced are II. S. Albright, of Orwigsburg
c.. o. Smith, Mahanoy City; S. Roll Beddall
| Port Carbon; Clay W. Evans, st. Clair; G
A, DOeraipger, Pottsyille f. L. Magargle and
John Roberts, Shenandoah. The withdrawal
Of J. w. Geary, Jr., leaves the field clear foi
DoerHinger, who will receive the solid Yot,
from Pottsyille TO say who the winner
will be is mere guess work There are Ger
tain complications entering into the contes
that preeludes all predictions. 1t is safe t,
say, however, that Albright or Smith viii
lead on the first and second ballots and afte
that there will likely be general scramble
9, to line up for the likely winner. Outside 0
Smith and Albright, the candidates are max
ing their fight for second choice. If thi
: proves to be true, might venture the predic
tion that S. Roll Beddall will be mighty neai
the top when the roundup comes. However
, opinion differs so much in this respect that
am, to tell the truth, all at sea.
In the Democratic camp the Shrievalty
fight is assuming an interesting phase. Their
are three candidates in the field, but it is safj
to say that the nomination will 90 to eithe
Shenandoah or Minesville Tom" Hig
gins. when last here, appeared very confden
that he would win, and there are many 0
the same opinion. Little Jack" Toole
however is making an active fight
Both these men are shrewd pOlit
ical shapers and will enter the con
b yention with strong following. Deals ar
- said to have been made with one or two car
didates for Poor Director that will complicat
matters somewhat Our Democratic friend
display more interest In the Republica
scramble for Office than in their own iamil
quaTels, Especially Is this true in referenc
, TO the judicial nomination Judge BechtC
will have no opposition for reelection, an
= for once Schuylkill county will be treated {
, non-partisan judicial campaign.
!, Whether the Republican convention wi
- nominate Bechtel, endorse him or leave til
Office vacant is yet to be determined by thl
body. There have been several changes
the ballot law, aud it is said one Of them
TO the effect that candidates name cannt
appear twice upon the same ballot. 1 hay
not read the new law, but leading attorne
i interprets the law in that manner. If tn
be true, should the Republicans nominal
Bechtel his name cannot appear in the DEM
cratic column, and ne would be elected as
J. Republican. The same gentleman is autho
ity for the statement that there is nothing
- the election law prohibiting either part
from nominating TWO candidates for Jun
= Commissioner. Heretofore each party III
- nominated but one person for this office an
as a result nomination was equivalent to
election But things will be different shou
each party present two candidates for tl
<. office.
The Democratic convention will be co
trolled by the free silver wing of that part
They can do what they please, so far as 4