The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-09-22
Lieut.. Rufus K. Polk For Congress.

Lieut.. Polk, the Democratic NOM
lnee for Congress in this district is
aged about SO years and is native of
Tennessee, being a member of the
noted Polk family of that State, the
late President Polk being his grand
uncle. His father was General Lucius
Polk, brother of Bishop Leonidas
Polk, celebrated Confederate Gen
eral who fell at the battle OF Atlanta,
Ga. AZ =
The nominee graduated at the Le-
high University, and immediately
thereafter he came to Danville and
entered into the service of one of the
largest iron operations as Chemist ar d
Mechanical Engineer. Subsequently
on the removal of Mr.. Howe to Phila
delphia he succeeded him as General
Manager of the North Branch Steel
Works, which position he still holds.
A few years ago he became interested
with Mr.. Howe in the manufacture of
tube iron, and is now member of
the firm of Howe & Polk, one of the
most important industries of Danvile.
AT the time of the breaking out of
the war with Spain he was member
of Company F, Ia Regiment Penn
sylvania Volunteers, holding the posi-
tion of First Lieutenant and left with
it when it offered its services to the
general Government, at quite sacri-
flee to his pecuniary interests. He IS
now member of General Gobln's
Staff and is very popular among his
military colleagues.
The general opinion is that Lieut..
Folks nomination will be endorsed
by the people of the district, as the
nominee is very popular from his ge-
nlality OF disposition, his fine educa-
ton and thorough business quaiifca-
tlons. His long connection with some
of the most prominent industrial es-
Establishments has given him ample op-
por,unity to learn the wants of the
district, thus enabling him, if elected
to legisate prudently and with expe-
rienced judgment on all questions af-
fectlng mis- constituency.
His prospects for election are very
fair The district is naturally Demo
cratic. True, the last Representative
carried the district twice in succession,
but this arose from the personality of
the candidate, his peculiar character
istics and business interests winch en-
abled him to poll very large vote in
many Democratic districts. Particu-
larly was this the case in Northumber-
land county, especially in the coal re.
glon, where the vote cast for him was
surprisingly large. We doubt if there
is Republican in the district, who,
under the same circumstances, could
poll vote as large as Representative
kulp, certain we are that the present
Republican candidate for Congress
cannot begin to get the vote Kulp
did In the two canvasses made by
that gentleman. Moreover, the Dem
ocratic candidate has the confidence
of the masses, and the soldier ele-
ment almost to man favor his nomi-
nation, as he has proved that during
the short period he has served as a
military man he has always been in
sympathy with the rank and file in
all their wants and ailments and ne
cessties, and has ever been ready to
assist them in the days of trial to the
best Of his ability. Such acts always
knit man to his comrades on the
tented held and they will not be slow
to show by their vote at the polls that
they appreciate such kindnesses and
attention. MfeLTeeueer.