The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-21
CANDIDATES ARE
DROPPING OUT
Outlook Offers Little Encouragement
10 the Democrats.
THE SITUATION At THIS TIME
Refusal of George s. Horn to BE a
Candidate Caused a Democratic
Cold Wave--It Was Followed by
the Dropping Out ofDurkin, Griffin,
Wheeler and Norton--Primaries
will BE Held This Afternoon.

This afternoon the Democratic pri-
maries will be held between the hours
of and Z o'clock to elect delegates
to the county convention, which Will
be held in the court house next Tues
day. There Is likely to be but small
amount of interest taken in today's
primaries. There is no systematic ef-
fort being made by any of the candi-
dates to place candidates for dele
gate in the various election districts.
Two weeks ago such a plan had
almost developed but events since then
have completely changed the aspect
of affairs. The refusal of George S.
Horn to be candidate for district
attorney had a very dispiriting effect
on the Democrats, and since its an
rouncement there has been less JOY in
the camp of the bad money men.
For a long time many prominent
members of the party were confident
that this was going to be a great year
for Democracy, and that with disaf-
fection in the Republican ranks the
chances of big Democratic victory in
this county in November were more
than bright
THINK DIFFERENT NOW.
The better they became acquainted
with the facts and the more they an
alyzed the situation the more they
became convinced that they had taken
altogether too rosy a view of Demo-
| cracys future in this county. To start
| with the wave of returning prosperity,
| which Is beginning to be felt more and
more each day is a strong reminder to
| the masses of the people that a Re-
| publican administration is doing fol
| the people what it promised it would.
| Industrial conditions cannot be
| changed in a day. but the outlook now
! is so favorable and so much has al
| ready been accomplished that II must
necessarily have a great effect on the
| November election.
Democratic leaders admit that the
| more they consider the alleged dis.
affection in the Republican party the
more they are convinced that it offers
little or no hope of advantage to the
Democrats. This probably accounts
for the cheerfulness with which candi'
oates are relinquishing their claim.
to a nomination.
THEY ARE DROPPING OUT.
| "A
down and out of the fight -or the clerl
of the courts nomination, and yester
day NJ. H. Griffin, who was the othel
prominent candidate for the nomina
ton, informed a Tribune reporter tha
he was out of the race. Certain con
ditions, under which l would be can
didate, are not likely to be acceede'
to-" said Mr.. Griffin, "and will there
fore not be a candidate You can sa.
as much for me in The Tribune" Tha
leaves Hon. Frank r. Coyne the onl!
one in the field mentioned for the Of
flee, and he has not informed any o
the leaders that he is a candidate.
City Controller Wheeler of Carbon
dale, declines to be a candidate TO
prothonotary, and Matthew +. Nor
ton, of the same city, who was tn
second choice of the leaders for tn
office, Is also said to have refused t
allow his name to go before the con
yention.
All of which shows that enthusiasm
, and hopefulness are not the predom
mating characteristics of local Demo
Gratis just now.
Some of the new candidates men
, toned during the week are Edmun
Robinson, sheriff; Edwin Frable, re
! ecrder, and Colonel Herman Osthaul
register OF wills. The latter is no'
aware that his availability is bein
discussed.
County Chairman T. j. Jennings
: spoken of for permanent chairman {
: the convention.