The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-04-25
CHAIRMAN BERgEY
AND HIS YELLOW tickets
Turned Down by Stalwarts, Who
Declare for Clean Politics and
Clean Methods.
ATTEMPTED REMOVAL OF COMMITTEE
MEN FARcIcAL PROCEEDING

The warning given Republican voters
in the last issue Of the HERALD concern
ing the foul conspiracy entered into by
County Chairman J. A. Berkey and his
political advisers, 10 retain control Of The
Repu blican County Committee, was time
". and the result is that his Efforts TO
violate the rules of the party and 70 dis
franchise the voters who were unwilling
10 recognize his autocrstic assumption OF
power and defiance of law and common
deceney has come to naught.
A. anticipated, Chairman Berkey caus-
ed a notice 10 be served at late hour
Friday night upon the duly elected and
recognized committeeman Of jefferson
township, John SchIsg. informing him
that be had been removed and would not
be permitted 10 conduct the primary the
following day. No reason was assigned
for the removal and Mr.. Schlag was not
given an opportunity 20 reply to the
charges, if any were lodged against hiu.
SchIag had performed al OF the duties
Of Committeeman, had conducted the
February primary with entire satisfsc-
ton TO the Republicans Of his district,
but simply because it WAS known that
he WAS true Republican aud would not
vote for Mr.. Berkey OF Berkey's brother
in-law-Henry f. Barron-for Chairman
at the Convention held TO day, Berkey
sought to remove him. Mr.. Schlag re-
fused 70 recognize the authority OF Berk-
ey 60 remove Aim without giving him an
opportunity 10 be heard, aud he con-
Quoted the election held in his township
Satnrday-and fairly. refusing no Repub-
licsn the right TO vote, with the result
that a majority of the Republican voters
af the district susiai ned Mr.. Schlag and
fair play and decent politics by voting az
the polls conducted by him.
Friday evening Chairman Berkey
mailed a notice 10 ). +. Smith. the duly
elected and recognized Committeeman OF
IArimer township, informing him that
he had been removed. Unfortunately in
this instance, Mr. Smith did not recsive
the notice Of removal until after the polls
were closed Saturday evening. Mr..
Smith is a well-known and loyal Re
publican and it was known that he would
not vote for Mr. Berkey or his brother
in-law Barron or any other insurgent for
Chairman. The voteis of Larimer who
believe in fair. honest and decent politics
recognized Ma. Smith as their Committee
man, he having held the primary prior
10 the February election, and voted al
the primary held by him on Saturday,
thus indorsing his right 10 exercise the
duties Of the office TO which he had been
elected by msjority Of the Republican
voters of-his township.
For the new borough of Garrett, Chair
man Berkey appointed DIR. Pollard, an
insurgent friend of his, Committeeman
in direct violation of the party rules
which provide that the Chairman cat
not appoint Committeeman without the
advice and approval of the executive
committee. The executive committed
was composed of A. Z. Evans, OF Rock.
wood; V. r. Black. of Confluence, and
John w. Shaffer, OF Windher. Mr.. Evan,
died few months ago aud Mr.. Black de
clined 10 approve of any appointment,
made by Mr.. Berkey. and Mr.. ShaffeI
was powerless to assist the Chairman in
appointing & COmmitteem an for Garrett
or any other voting precinct. The elec
tors Of that borough met at the election
house and in strict conformity with the
party rules elected Frank Phinecy Com
mitteeman. Mr.. Phinecy was properly
kafa - ka
and opened voting poll in the same
room with DR.. Pollard. More than two
thirds Of the qualified voters of Garrett
recognized the legality of Mr.. Phinecy's
election aud cast their ballots at the elee.
tion presided over by him, thus empha-
sising their disapproval of Berkey's un
lawful assumption of power.
In the borough of New Baltimore an
agent Of Chairman Berkey's procured the
resignation Of Committeeman Kelley by
misrepresentation and forbidden means
as an affidavit before as clearly estab-
fishes. When Mr.. Kelley learned tha,
he had been trieked by dishonest means,
he made a demand upon the County
Chairman 10 return his resignation or
suffer the conseq uences of a criminal
prosecution. Kelley held the primary
on Saturday and his course was approved
by all of the Republicans Of he district,
save one. vino undertook to hold pri-
mary, at which no one voted except him
self
In the borough of Benson agents OF
Chairman Berkey procured by unlawful
and forbidden means the resignation OF
Committeeman Spsngler, and when the
honest and incorruptible voters learned
that their confidence had been betrayed
and made a matte: of alleged barter and
sale in order to further the political ambi-
tscn of certain well-known gentlemen,
they met at the election house Saturday
morning and elected a Committeeman TO
hold the primary. Their action WAS COM
n.ended by a majority If the Republican
voters of the borough, " ho exercised the
right of franchise at the polls conducted
by the only legally elected Committee
man.
So much for Chairman Berkey's disre-
gard for the rights Of the people and his
unlawful efforts to control a majority of q
committee elected by the people on the
single issue Of antagonism 10 him aud his
political methods.
So much for Chairman Berkey's attempt
10 deprive the voters of the county from
voting for men OF their choice. and hi.
utter disregard for the party rules and
common fairness and decency.
Chairman Berkey withheld the tickets
and blanks from the stalwart members q
the committee until the polls were opened
Saturday morning. and in a number oi
instances committeeman. evidently fol-
lowing the instructions Of the chairman,
refused to distribute the ballots, but
handed one 10 each voter W ben ne visited
the polling place. In the district Of Paint
No. be failed to supply sufficient ballots
for all who desired to vote.
Ii is hardly necessary 10 allude 10 the
Illegal and mongrel yellow tickets dis.
tribited by Chairman Berkey. or to hi:
insolent instructions to the committee.
men to receive and count no other ballots
excepting those under his signature. Only
sach committeeman as were absolutely
controlled by Berkey obeys6 his in
structions. and those who did failed &c
make proper and legal return Of the
votes, in at least one instance throwing
out q number OF stalwsrt votes, or return
ing them 70 Chairman Berkey on sep
srs'e return sheet
ATer the return sheets were received
from the various committeeman Chair
m sn Berkey jeslously guarded them, re.
fu sing sil stalwarts permission osaa than,