Evening journal., 1909-06-11
DEMOCRATIC
SMELLERS OUT
Chairman English and Sec
retary ChaytOr on the Sec
Ond Ward Ripper" Job
WORKERS TO MAKE
NOISE LIKE FRAUD

The props having been knocked from un-
der one of the fimsy pretenses seized upon
by some Democrats as a ground for throw
ing out the returns of the Fourth district
of the Second ward in order to count out
city Treasurer-elect Howard ID. Ross and
Councilman Walter Rash, the Democratic
city Committee is now hunting around for
some other excuse for ousting the regu-
larly elected Republicans from office and
installing DR.. Charles NJ. Almond as city
treasurer and Benjamin B. Allen as Coun-
Gilman from the Second ward.
The Democrats first intended TO make
a contest on the ground that the Demo-
cratic Committee was not allowed to name
the clerk of the Democratic judge in the
Fourth district of the Second ward polling
place. But this excuse was exposed when
It was shown that the law empowers the
Judge to name his own clerk, and that is
what Guenther, the Democratic judge, did,
though he named a colored man as his
clerk
Many of the Democratic workers are
hungry for more offices. now that their
party has had taste Of victory, and wish
a two-thirds majority in City Council so
that the Democrats would be in a posi-
tion to rip out" Republican Commission
ers Of the Water Department and the
Street and Sewer Department. While Dr.
]. Harvey Spruance, after becoming
Mayor, will have the appointment Of a
Street and Sewer director and a Water
Commissioner, his appointments Will not
alter the political complexion of the two
departments. Water Commissioner Peter
j. Ford's term will expire and a Democrat
will be named 10 succeed him. The Water
Department really doesn't make much
difference to the Democrat, anyway, for
most Of the good jobs there are held by
men Of that party, and while the Depart
ment is nominally Republican, President
Shaw, a Republican, has been cooperating
with Commissioner Ford Democrat, and
Commissioner Knox. Republican, has had
very little weight in the management of
the Department Street Director John G.
Gray's term also expires during Mayor
Spruance's term. Mr.. Gray is a Democrat,
and his successor will be a Democrat. This
will leave Commissioners Sparks and Ru-
doiph, Republicans, stili in the majority.
Many Of the Democrats would like Coun-
ell to be in position that il could re-
move any Of the Republican commissions
ers at will. on the iniative Of the Mayor
The only way this could be assured would
be 10 get a two-third majority. and the
seating of Benjamin b. Allen, Of the Sec.
one Ward. who was defeated by Council
man Rash by 60 majority. is essential tS
the Democratic ripper" program.
The only way Allen can be seated at
Councilman is to throw out the vote Of th'
Fourth district Of the Second ward, which
gave more than 200 Republican majority
This also would count out City Treasurer
Ross. who has % majority. The Democrats
have left the investigation Of th'
Fourth district vote to Chairman j. J
English and Secretary A. II. Chaytor, Jr.
Of the city Committee They will act al
the smelling committee" and a host o.
Democrats is expected 10 make nois'
like a big fraud to try to bolster up th'
Democratic ripper" scheme.
Il was said to-day that the Democrat
may try to summon every one of the %
or more colored voters of the Fourth dis
trict to appear before the new Demo
cratic Council when the contest is called
and seize upon the failure of some o
them TO appear as an evidence Of frau'
and thus throw out the entire vote
Many conservative Democrats are ad
vising against the ripper scheme, whiel
they think will react upon the party, ant
are advising that the result of the cleo
lion be allowed to stand as il is.