The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-12
WILL OPPOSE JAMES
Mark n. Skerrett Is a
Candidate Against
Mellen.
LIVELY TIMES LOOKED FOR.
Manning-Dunkerton Fight
in Ward Z is Pro-
crossing.
LIVELY TIMES LOOKED FOR.

Mark N. Skerrett yesterday formally
announced his candidacy for the repre-
sentative nomination in ward 4, and will
do battle with James H Mellen. The
fight promises to be red hot.
Mr.. Skerrett is the unanimous choice
and a spontaneous one, too of the bet
ter element of ward democrats who
want to see genuine merit opposed to
the wiles of clever politicians which
have prevailed IN recent fights in the
ward, which is the hotbed of democracy.
He has been sought out by numerous
friends as the ideal candidate to run
against the veteran of the ward, and
after earnest solicitation has consented
to the use OF his name. Knowing ones
of the ward believe they have now a
candidate around whom they can rally
the strength of the ward and overthrow
the redoubtable and resourceful James.
That Mr., Skerrett had been approached
by strong men of the ward and asked
to run was announced in The Spy two
weeks ago. Meanwhile Mr.. Skerrett has
been considering the question. His con-
sent to enter the field against Mellen
came last night, and caused genuine re-
i joicing in the anti-Mellen camp
Mark N. Skerrett graduated from the
Worcester high school in the class of
1889, and, with no parents on whom to
rely for aid CT support, started out to
make his way in the world. He has cut
a broad swath during the last ten years.
He entered the civil service and for
many years has been a clerk in the post
office.
During spare moments he took up the
study of law, and two years ago passed
q most creditable examination and was
admitted to the Worcester county bar.
He is a former member of The Spy
staff and all in all is one of the most
popular Of the younger men in his
party. For years he has done hard but
unostentatious work for his party and
never until now has he consented to
enter the political arena for any honor.
The selection of Mr., Skerrett will bind
together the younger element of the
party solidly, and around him the better
element of the ward can rally. Knowing
ones predict that Mellen will nave the
strongest opponent he has ever met,
and bitter fights have made ward a
famous battle ground. If Mr.. Skerrett
enters the canvass personally, his
friends predict Mellen will have to
adopt the old time glad hand" tactics
In a gladder manner than he has ever
a larger personal following than any
other of the younger men of ward 4.
The contest against David Manning
in ward is warming up as friends of
Charles B. Dunkerton begin to appear
On the field. There will be an informal
meeting of supporters of the new can
didate this evening at Mr.. Dunkertons
office 406 Main street and the strength
of the new Richmond in the ward fight
will be shown. Plans will be formed for
a canvass of the ward and the situation
will be discussed
Frank L. Dean assembled the ward Z
workers for Guild, in his Office, last
night, and heard reports Of progress.
There is nothing but confidence in the
Guild camp, and the belief is that Wor-
cester has seen marked gain for Guild
in the last two weeks. Mr.. Dean will
be. visited by Gen. Guild again this
week. There will be no public appear
ance of the candidate for lieutenant
governor, the object of his visit being
to meet a number Of local workers in
his behalf, and incidentally the mailing
of a few picsets on his fences.
The Bates men are at work There
will be another meeting of the commit
tee Of so al the office of James Hunt,
Friday night, when 1t is thought a list
of the Bates supporters will be made
public for the first time.
William +. Byrne of Blackstone has
Withdrawn from the democratic con-
test for the representative nomination
Of .he ninth district This leaves the
field open to George Taylor and Will
liam +. Harrington.
Samuel r. Hull Of Millbury, whose
name was mentioned some time ago
IL connection with the republican nom
ination from the ninth district, is now
has the field to himself
Representative James F. Carey was