The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-21
PRINTERS PREPARING
FOR ANNUAL ELECTION
Interest in Columbia Unions
Choice Of Officers.
CANDIDATES IN THE FIELD
Three Members Of the Craft Mentioned
for the Presidency Of 10. IoI-Num-
eTous Aspirants for the Honor Of Sev-
ing as Delegates TO the l. T. U.

A very interesting period IS drawing
near in Columbia Union No l01 politics
the election era president and vice presi-
dent There is always the greatest inter
est demonstrated in the election Of the
frst-named Office long before the actual
time OF bauoting Even at this carly
period the printers of Washington are
talking scarcely anything else. There
very probably viii only be two candidates
for this highest local union honor and
distinction Those referred TO are Mr.
Shelby Smith. Of Minnesota arl Mr..
Joseph Johnson of California, though the
name OF Zach Jenkins has also been men
toned.
Mr. Smith became a member Of Mime
apOlis (MinnD Union in 1882. and after
ward served various unions in the West
IN different capacities He came 10 Wash
ington in 1891, receiving an appointment
in the Government Printing Office. In
1888 Columbia Union elected him a dele
gate 10 a special nine hour convention
which met in Cincinnati. Ohio, Mr. Smith
also served as chairman OF a delegation
sent TO Colorado Springs in 1885. he was
responsible more than any other delegate
in that convention for the enactment Of
the present system Of electing Interua-
tOnal Typographical Union officers by
referendum vote Mr.. Smith has been an
active and conscientious union man and
worker ever since he took up his resi-
dence in this city. and has made many
warm friends and many active opponents.
M Smith is a powerful debater. fearing
and iavOrIng none. His eloquence and
arguments have won for him many con-
tested wOrdy battles on the floor OF the
union, while his sarcasm has been the
keen sword that has put his opponents
to rout and hate.
Mr.. johnson is a citizen OF California:
has been employed ia the Government
Printing Once a little more than three
years, was chairman OF the local griev-
ance committee one year and is now enc
OF the unions trustees. Like William
Jennings Bryan. Mr.. Johnson won fame by
single speech he electrified his hear
eTs one Sunday in a nomination speech.
be became the most talked-of man in
Columbia Union circles because Of his
eloqUence. phrases. and gestures. Since
that time the membership have been try
ing 10 pick out an Office in which TO put
Mr. Johnson He is a very popular man.
and extremely modest However. il is be-
neved Mr. Johnson would make an ideal
presiding officer. and il is said that he
Is endorsed by President Lawson. which
means a great deal in Columbia Union
politics.
Mr.. Edgar Merritt. a proofreader in
3 the Congressional Record" proof room
Government Printing ONCE. is the only
present announced candidate for the Office
OF vice president Of Columbia TYPOGRAPHY
ical Union. ar Merritt is a native Of
Arkansas. is commercial college grad
uate; also a graduate Of Georgetown Uni
Tersity Law School. with degree Of Ii. 3. .
and from Columbian University with
degree OF Master OF Laws. Mr.. Merritt is
one Of the most popular young men in
Washington, and is a refined. cultured
and highly educated gentleman.
For secretary, William n Garrett who
has filed the Office for several years is
candidate for reelection and viii prob
ably have no opposition. For treasurer.
John Berg wants to succeed himself. and
viii doubtless do so. For doorkeeper.
sergeant-at-arms. trustees. and auditors
no announcements have yet been made BY
prospective candidates.
For delegates TO the International
Typogra phical Union there are about half
dozen certain candidates, though there
are uncorrObOrated rumors as TO others
Those who have been mentioned for the
three delegateships belonging to the
book and job" branch OF the trade are
L A. Wisener. George A. Rinehart. J.
F. Mccormick, F. A. n. lawson. James
J. Higgins. D. W. Fleming and A. F.
BlOOmeT- Others. regarded as uncertain
ties as yet. are H. Y. Brooke, Dan CHS
holm, Charles Peake, Frank Stretten, W.
J.. Gutelius. and Clint Price.
The situation in regard 10 the downtown
candidates is somewhat uncertain, much
depending upon the action Of Columbia
Union at its meeting next Sunday with
reference 10 proposed legislation grant
ing one delegateship 20 the Offices not
under Government control