The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-06-15
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.

The Democratic primaries were
held throughout Columbia County
on Saturday and when the hour OF
sever arrived that evening the polls
closed one of the liveliest and most
hotly contested campaigns ever
known in this division of the State.
Probably never before was the can
vass on the part of the various can
didates SO thorough. For weeks
they, and there were many Of thea,
were on the go, and if there is
single voter in the county that was
not interviewed it was because he
was not in sight when the aspirauts
for political preferment passed his
way. All the roads in the county
were travelled, and even the byways
were included in the migrations of
the candidates. Not only did they
work during the day, but at night,
long after the dark mantle had fall
len the hunt for votes was contin-
ued. The statement made by one
Of the candidates that he had not
removed his shoes from his feet for
four days, gives an idea Of the effort
made and labor expended to get a
place on the ticket. 1t was certain
ly bitter fight and not only the
victors but the vanquished as well
are glad that it is over.
In the register and rec order fight
one could almost see the sentiment
change. On Thursday and Friday
the chances apparently favored
Rutter; then there was shift, and
many were of the opinion that Yost
had gained in strength. Miller
was always looked upon as formi-
dable candidate, but from the frag-
ments OF conversation caught from
the groups of men who lined the
streets in the early part of Saturday
evening, there was an apparent
loathness to believe that he would
emerge from the contest with the
greatest share of popular approval.
But so it was. He was given a
large vote in districts where his
strength had net been figured on
and on the south side, particularly
in the Conynghams and Centralia,
he swept everything.
Proemial returns from the town
wards and nearby districts were
favorable to Freeze, and for time
he was factor, but as the vote
came in from the other districts,
his cause waned, and when twenty
or more of the districts had report
ed the vote, he was far in the rear.
Another surprise possibly greater
in extent than that of the register
and recorder contest was the vote
for county commissioner. Not
withstanding that second term is
usually accorded, it was not so in
this instance and when the time
comes for organization next Janu-
ary, there will be found three new
faces Oh the board. Charles |. Pohe,
of Catawissa. dark horse in the
fight, simply scooped everything.
He carried on a clean campaign,
eliminated booze and Doodle from
his canvass, and reaped the re.
ward of his righteous endeavor.
He was leader over all the others.
William B. Schuch, also from the
South side of the river, proprietor
of the Susquehanna House, was
second. Jerry A. Hess of Blooms
burg, lead the procession on this
side of the river, William Bogert,
the present incumbent was second,
A. c. Greasy, third, Isaac Richart
fourth, and G. w. Sterner, the
present incumbent, fifth.
For County treasurer, Harry
Rhoades had walk over, receiving
more votes than his opponents,
John S. Mensch and Oscar ]. Hess,
combined.
The full and complete vote for
all the candidates will be elsewhere
in this issue.