The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-01-06
Political Notes

The result of the election of a clerk of
the Board of Freeholders may have the
effect of putting a new and formidable
candidate for postmaster in the field.
At the last moment, even though it
had been conceded that Harry Hawkins,
Jr., was not to he disturbed as clerk of
the Board of Freeholders, another name
sprang up, over night as it were. S.
Earl Assay, of Mount Holly, was named,
and to make his calling and election
together and talked right out to the
members of the party. But Hawkins
won.
Lack of organization or too much con-
fidenee often works disastrously. Few
Republicans thought there was a possi-
bility of securing nearly all the plums
that would drop from the Freebooter
tree, while the Democrats and Progress
siyes rested secure with things going
just as they wanted them to. The need
of real leader in the ranks of what was
practically the majority party was
seriously felt.
Candidates for county offices are get
ting their fences in shape. Clark b.
Rogers announced some time ago that
he would be candidate for Sheriff. A..
Engle Haines, of LumbertOn, will also
be candidate. For county clerk there
is considerable sparring for wind. William
H. Reeves, of Pemberton, is an avowed
candidate and it is said Charles b. Green,
of Florence, is flirting with the idea.
Two Others who would like to have the
place are watching the movements of
Harry l.. Knight, present incumbent of
the Office.
Dick Hughes was an interested specta-
tor at the organization of the Board of
Freeholders, possibly drawn down by the
desire to exert his influence as member
of the State Democratic Committee and
leader of the party in this county in be-
half of Thomas Barrett for Supervisor of
Roads and Earl Assay for clerk of the
Board. If such was his idea he certainly
fell fiat for neither of the men was sue
cessful and they do say that Dicks COM
ments on the subject would not do for
even The Menace to publish AS sort
of salve it is said he promised to have
Governor Fielder take care of one of the
defeated men but grapevine special
says that Fielder has given notice that
Burlington county, with its solid Re
publican representation in the Legisla-
ture, need not look for much patronage.
Possibly, however, Dick might get the
gentleman referred to appointed as men,
Der of the County Board of Taxation in
place of William f. Morgan, whose time
will expire in May. 1t is said there
would not be any strenuous opposition
to having Mr.. Morgan's successor come
from some other part of the county, thus
relieving the strain ON the river front
next year when Hughes time will ex-
pire.
Under the corrupt practice act any
candidate who refuses or neglects to file
his expense account in any election
shall forfeit the Office to which he was
elected and no certificate of election
shall be issued to him. In the case of
Joseph A. Couples, Freebooter from
Tabernacle township, there was neglect
to file the required statement and the
question arises whether he is or is not a
member of the Board. There is nothing
in any law which requires certificate
of election to be given member of the
Board of Freeholders, but the statute
does require township clerk to post
certain number of notices announcing
the result of the election. Did the clerk
of Tabernacle do this? And if he did
put up the notices did he include Mr..
Couples in the list of elected officers?
And if he did so what explanation can
be made of the fact that the clerk knew
that Mr.. Couples had not filed his state
ment, yet declared him elected? He
evidently knew that the account must
be filed, was he ignorant of the penalty
for not filing? And if Couples is not en-
titled to the Office must he get out peace
ably or must he be ousted? If he is not
entitled to the Office are the other men,
bers justified in recognizing him when
he sits with them? This is as much of a
mixed situation as are some matters con-
nected with National legislation.