The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-03-24


Republican politics in Stark county
was precipitated Monday when the
books Of the Republican committee
we're opened for the entering of names
of candidates for the primaries which
are to be held April 8. The trouble is
more than a row-it is revolution,
and with few exceptions the candi-
dates and the party workers are
among those that are in revolt.
The principal trouble grew out of
the assessments which were unprece-
dented and far in excess of the needs
of the committee, it is claimed. Can
didates came in from all over the
county bringing with them sufficient
money, as they supposed, TO pay the
assessments, buc when they went up
against the figures they found that
they did not have more than one
fourth enough. Then there
WAS A HOWL
and protest. The matter was in
charge of George Clark and he inform
ed the aspiraLts that the figures were
there and If they could not meet them
It was no concern of his. There had
been no intimation given the candi-
dates as to what the assessments
would be, although it is openly assert
cd that the machine" candidates were
there with their checks already made
out, having received tip in advance.
The other fellows were allowed to be
placed in humiliating position of not
having money enough. ~
The assessments were placed any
where from SIS for councilmen to $500
for probate judge, and what the execu-
tive committee wants with the money
cannot be figured out. Under the
present election law the dty and
county have to pay the primary cleo
ton expenses and the executive COM
mittee will be at little or no expense,
1t is claimed.
WILL MANDAMUS COMMITTEE.
When the scheme was finally fully
realized by the candidates they imme-
diately decided that the assessments
we're outrageous and that they did not
have to stand for them. After con-
sultation It was decided that they
would appeal to the courts and compel
Chairman Clark and Secretary Davies
of the committee to accept their names
at reasonable fee, and Judge A. A.
Thayer of Canton and Attorney
George C. Eggert of Massillon were re-
tanned and last evening about O'Clock
they began work upon petition which
Il is expected will be filed with the
court this. morning, asking for an al
tentative writ of mandamus requiring
the committee to accept the names OF
all candidates at a reasonable fee.
DOUBLE HEADERS.
Clark and Davies hold double po=
sition-being members OF the board OF
elections and also of the Republican
committee. Clark is president and Da-
yies secretary of each. 1t will be as
members of the board of elections that
they will be proceeded against
Just what the committee wants with
so great fund cannot be even guessed
at. The laws OF Ohio, passed by the
last legislature, take the primaries out
of the hands of the parties and place
them in the hands of the county board
Of elections. The law is as follows:
Laws Of Ohio, (190D Section 2919,
440--"The expenses of municipal
primary elections shall be betrayed by
the municipality in WITCH the same is
held. The expense Of all other pri-
mary elections shall be betrayed by the
county" e,a
The claim Is made that this being
under the county and not of the party
no party managers acting in a double
capacity have any right to take adj
vantage of the situation to raise big
~ CORRUPTION FUND
which may be used to either influence
the result Of the primaries or the cleo
tion which is to follow.
In other years, under the old rules
when each party committee had to pay
its own expenses, the assessments ran
from $25 to $50 for sheriff, and the
other Offices in proportion according
to tho estimated salary. This spring
the sheriff candidates are each assess
ed $3.50 each and the committee Is at
no expense whatever. The magnitude
of this financial deal can be better
realized when it Is known that the ex-
penses, of holding primaries under the
old system did not exceed $1,000 and
This assessment will create fund on