Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-04-23
THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

The Democratic primary election
for Jefferson county will be held Sat-
urday of this week, April 25th. The
election begins at ! o'clock and closes
at sunset, except at Harper's Ferry,
where the polls will be kept open un-
til 9 D. m, and at Bakerton, where
they will be open until 7 p. m. The
contest for the various Office has been
spirited, and the candidates and their
friends have been working with great
energy the past few weeks. The
liveliest contest is over the office OF
prosecuting attorney, for which there
are four candl iAtes-all from Charles
Town-namely, John T. Porter6eld,
F. L. Bushong, George NJ. Beltzboov-
er, Jr., and George D. Moore. For
the Legislature the contest ispretty
warm between the friends Of Hon. @
NJ. Wetzel, the present incumbent,
and J. P. Kearfott, Esq, of Ksar-
neysville. The sheriffalty also cuts
an important figure, with G. D. Wy
song and ]. B. Osbourn as the con.
testants. For county clerk, the best
paying office in the county, the strug-
gle is between Chas. A. johnson and
James Granthsm, and both candidates
are working like beavers. For cir
cult clerk there are two candidates,
John M. Daniel, who now holds the
Office, and B. Lee Moore. There are
three candidates for assessor, Charles
W. Conrad, Oliver NJ Harris and Will
G. Daniels-E. w. Athey being dep
uty for the frst-named, Jesse A. En-
gle for the second and A. @. Moore
for the third. James T. Hendricks
has no opposition for county surveyor,
and Nelson T. Snyder, of Shepherds.
town district, and John G. Burns, Of
Charles Town district, are likewise
fortunate in having no one against
them for county commissioner. In
Shepherdstown district there are three
candidates for magistrate, D. s.
Reutch and Lee H. Moler, who are
now serving, and Robert G.. Miller, a
new candidate. There are also three
candidates for constable, NJ, P. Crowl,
Robert Shlpley and S. F. Lemen-
two of whom are to be elected. The
term of w. L Herr expires as school
commissioner for this district, and q.
L. Lyme and Philip @. VanMeter are
candidates for the vacancy. Mr..
Herr will not run again. Delegates
are to be chosen to the various con.
ventions.
Two executive committeeman are
to be elected at each precinct, and
there will be co ltests over these Of
fees at number of places. A good
many persons think that the limit has
been reached in the way Of booze and
Doodle at our elections, and they will
vote for committeeman who will re-
fuse to use such means to influence
the voters. The use of money and
liquor has become a public scandal,
and there is a general sentiment that
it shall be stopped. Men who will
use their efforts to end the disgraceful
state of affairs will contest with those
committeeman who have become no.
torious as boodlers. Many persons,
too, believe that holding the prima-
ries so early is contrary to the best
interest of the people, and they de.
sire to see the committee reorganlzed
in this respect.
Nearly all of the candidates have
signed the pledge required by the
committee, namely, that they will
not use improper means at the prima-
ry election, but there is feeling that
this will not be lived up to as it
should be. Indeed, it is said that
money has already been placed where
it will do the most good and that in
direct means will be used to violate
the spirit of the law, if not its letter.