The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
James II. Mellen Has
1t on His Hands
just Now.
M. N. SKERRETT HIS OPPONENT.
A Merry Battle On in
Democratic Poll
tics.

Partisans of Representative James H.
Mellen and Mark N. Skerrett who is to
oppose the old war horses denomination
at the ward representative caucus, are
already taking to their respective firing
lines, drawing themselves up in battle
array and resting on their guns.
The caucus will be the signal for
merry old battle and from present indi-
cations it looks as if past caucuses in
that bailiwick will be outdone this trip.
Representative Mellen is a fighter who
never acknowledges defeat until the last
ballot is counted. Mr.. Skerrett, like his
namesake of the United States navy,
Admiral Skerrett, is fighter, too, and
to guard against the possibility of
truce, never carries the white flag when
he goes out armed, cap-a-pie, to meet
the foe.
Both men know of each others capa-
bilities in the fighting line and will
wage war on their merits, not through
personalities or mud singing Mr.. Skier
rett is one of the cleanest and ablest
young men that ever entered politics in
this city He has an advantage in not
having an enemy in the ward, and is
not the candidate of any faction.
There was some talk made yesterday
contest the nomination for the legisla-
ture with Mr.. Mellen means that he will
have to retire from his position in the
post office. 1t was said that for fed
eral Office holder to go into active poll
tics was in violation of the civil service
laws and an evidence of partisanship.
This, Mr.. Skerrett's friends maintain is
not true. He is entitled, they say, to
retain his position until after the eau
Gus, or in the event of either of the
nominees boiling the caucus. until after
the election.
1t was said that there would be
meetings in the ward of the partisans
of both candidates. Mr.. Mellen, it is
understood, will not only have local
speakers, but win bring up legislative
friends from Boston to advocate his re-
election.
Among those that are standing back
of Mr.. Skerrett in his contest, are a
number of bright and practiced speak
ers, and the ward rallies cannot fail to
be entertaining and instructive. In
ward it was the opinion of old vet
Grams that Mr.. Mellen has the fight of
his life on his hands.
In ward the democrats are all at sea
in regard to a candidate for the legis-
lature to oppose Representative John
G. Hagberg. The names mentioned are
those of Alderman James F. Carberry,
Michael A. O'Rourke and Councilmen
James F. Timon and James F. Ryan.
Mr.. Carberry may be induced to run
if sufficient pressure is brought to bear
upon him, but in his present state of
mind he is opposed to going into the
contest. Some weeks ago he announced
that he might make another trial for
the Legislature, but since then business
interestes determining his course. he
switched off on new tack, and came
out as opposed to entering the race with
Mr.. Hagberg.
Councilman Ryan told The Spy re-
porter that he did not care for the nom
ination, but Councilman Timon has
made no declaration. Mr.. O'Rourke is
bright young man and would make a
good run, but in view of the record of
Mr.. Hagberg, not only at the front in
the Spanish-American war, but also
during his term in the legislature, his
chances of election are remote.
Yesterday was busy one in ward g.
where Peter F. Sullivan is out against
Representative w. l. Mclaughlin. Mr.
Mclaughlin is sure to get the caucus
nomination because of the announced
intention of Mr.. Sullivan to ignore the
caucus and fight it out at the polls.
Representative Mclaughlin told The
Spy man yesterday afternoon that he
had no doubt of the result in either
event. He is not mapping, however,
and is making careful canvass of
the ward. He has formidable fol-
lowing not only among the young men,
but the old veterans as well.