Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1910-09-17
PPED IN SOMERS PIT.
.-.--.- ;. With Republicans to
Honor Philadelphia Cottager-
Mr.. Steck Nominated.

Somers Point.-The political battle
waged last Tuesday in Somers Point by
Mayor John Campbell was one of the
hottest ever given in the city. The
causes that led up to the principal en-
gagement were many. For the past six
or eight months differences in opinion
have been enlarged to the extent of
alleged attempts to ignore one after
another of the members of his official
family, besides many private citizens
whose standing in the community was
high.
Mayor Campbell claims to have dis
covered Somers Point six or eight years
ago; that is, he left his newspaper and
advertising work in Atlantic City and
came here to promote the land once
known as Pine City. After several years
he was elected city treasurer but soon
resigned that office. Two years ago Mr.
Campbell was proposed by his party
the Democratic-as possible candidate
for mayor. The party leaders stated
that they would put his name on their
ticket if the Republicans did not use
him. The Republican organization in
Somers Point is never hide bound and
cndeavors to use good timber when possi
BILE and has taken upa Democrat for the
election ticket in many instances. So,
MIR. Campbell was accepted by the Re
publcans after several conferences be
tween the leaders of the party and nomi-
mated for mayor and eventually elected.
Mr.. CampbelPs administration has been
marked by no great events in the line
OF CIVIC Improvements. The street paw
ing, city hall, etc, having been built dur
ing the time Of his predecessor in office,
flee.
When the school board was having
trouble, with unruly boys, last year,
Mayor Campbell was called upon to aid
in restoring order. His apparent determi-
nation to ignore the requests of the
board and his methods of handling judie-
al affairs We're unsatisfactory to many
citizens.
One of the principal means of building
up the city of Somers Point is the pros
porous Building and Loan Association,
which is now nearly two years old. Mr..
Campbell was one of the original direc-
tors of this enterprise, but has SINCE
Withdrawn his support, as well as that
of two of his out of town friends. This
action did not materially hinder the pro-
gress of the work
Several weeks ago Mr.. Campbell filed
petition for denomination with city
clerk Scull. This petition contained
more than eighty names. Those who
have inspected the list DECLARE that near
ly fifty per cent. We're the names of men
who voted the Democratic ticket; in
ooI, !
same time Mr.. Campbell issued a scath-
ing arraignment of his fellow citizens III
a four page circular. This acted as a
clarion call to arms of those who did
not take to his methods An answer of
strong arguments was soon isued to this,
and the battle was begun.
A picture card of the mayor contain
ing an insulting allusion, another circu-
lar and then a small newspaper We're
issued by Mr.. Campbell and sent broad
cast.
AT the proper time the two members
of the County Executive Committee of
the Republican party called meeting in
Nichols hall, and nominated ticket
headed by Herman Steck for Mayor. This
ticket was favorably received by the
county organization.
Through a legal techncality the city
clerk decided to allow none but Mr.
Campbelfs name to be placed upon the
Republican ticket. His action was sus-
tanned by Judge Trenchardat Bridgeton
on Monday morning after having been
taken to court by Mr.. Campbel's lawyer.
On TuesdaE AanY voters were chali-
enged at the polls for party reasons, Two
Years ago the Republicans carried the
city by a majority of |. This year there
We're az Democrats in the city and $50
Republicans; showing that the Demo
Gratis were voting in the Republican bal
lot box. 1t was in attempting to stop
| this that so many voters were challenged
| No legal voter was interfered with in any
manner. Several new parties brought to
ie registered BY Campbell adherents were
refused the privilege,
Although hard fight. the Republican
organization led by Absalom H. Higbee
secured a victory all along the line, This
was supposed to have been the greatest
fight in politics in Atlantic county. The
vote.
| FIRST D-REPUBLICAN
State Senator 80 Walter e. Edge 6;
Assembly ..' Isaac Bacharach o.
Coroner. Samuel W. Moore g.
United States Senator
Franklin Murphy ..,..,.... q
Edward @. Stokes, ,.........
Mayor
Herman Steck . 3.
John NJ. Campbell ..,....... s.
Councilman-at-La Large
| Chas. E. g. Steelman. .. g.
, Member Common Council
Frank r. Weztphal. "A