The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-19
CARBONDALE.
POLITICAL SITUATION.
w. H. Masters Withdraws in the
Fifth Ward-Warm Campaign.

This is one of the hottest campaigns
for local Offices the city ever had.
Many causes contribute to the heat Of
the occasion. In the first place the
Democrats split at their convention anG
as result Thomas j. Boylan is put
ting up an independent and vigorous
fight against the regular nominee, Mr..
Gallagher, for school director i'm the
Third ar1 Fourth wards. This makes
doubly sure the election of the Repub-
lican nominee. John Won Beck
Then. Mayor Fitzpatrick desires to
dispense with the services of the pres
ent police force. as he intimated un-
mistakably in his recent message to
councils. This and other things which
seem to him desirable he cannot do
while q. f. Swigert dominates the
select council. In order to get rid OF
Mr.. Swigert, of the First ward, and to
elect a Democratic sclectman in the
Fifth-each ward has a big Republi-
can majority-E. L.. Bunnell and w. II.
Masters. respectively. We're put in the
field under the popular guise of munich
pal water. the object being, of course
not to elect these men but to split the
Republican vote and defeat the regu.
lar candidates. Well. Mr. Masters has
Withdrawn and this leaves no question
as to the election of Or. Fletcher. Mr.
Bunnell is still in the race. but Mr..
Sw,Sert's clean record, his circular de-
claring him for municipal water under
certain conditions and the normally
overwhelming Republican majority IN
that ward. indicate that Mr.. Bunnell
and Mr.. Barrett. The Democratic cam
didate. will be distanced before tomor-
row noon.
But overshadowing all these contests
III general Interest is the candidacy of
Professor II. j. Hockenberry for school
director in the four upper wards. The
professor is a Prohibtionist, but he re-
ceiVed the Democratic endorsement.
Thore is no party significance in his
elort Tribune readers are familiar,
with the charges preferred against him
by eX-Superintendent of Schools Forbes
-charges which the school board has
decided t. ignore, owing 10 lack of eyi-
denc". Finding no other means of re-
dress. the professor decided. as he nut
IT, to refer his case to the court of last
resort-the people. During seventeen
Years as principal of the High school
the professor has made great MANY
friends who believe he is being perse-
cuted and who will stand by him. But
he has opposed to him John +. Rev
nolds, undoubtedly the strongest Re-
publican in the city.
The chances of John ID. Davis, Re-
publican nominee for select council in
The Third ward, are considered very
bright. Opposed to him is ~. NJ Nealon
VINO is now serving a term in that
BODY, He was turned down by the
Democratic convention, but the regular
nominee withdrew in his favor. How
ever, 1t is not thought he will receive
the entire vote Of the party. His rec.
ord in connection with the surface
sewer contract let last fall will mill
tate against him. He was one of those
who voted tn let the contract to a
bidder $1,000 higher than the lowest
and caused deadlock of several weeks
his defeat is as certain as anything in
politics can be one day before election.