Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-20
CANDIDATES REST
FOR PRIMARIES
Hottest Primary Fight OF
Years: Everybody Guessing
on the Result

With the exception of the annual
pig roasting festivities of the Union
Republican Club, which will be held
In Blackwelfs hail. Adams street, this
evening, the hottest primary campaign
in Steelton's political history is ready
to close. The candidates-and there
are scores of them-are resting for
the final clash at the polls tomorrow.
Perhaps never in the history of
Steelton has there been so much
doubt as to the outcome of a primary
contest as there is now. While, of
course, most of the candidates are
willing to predict how the election
will go. shrewd observers will not ven
ture even guess at the ultimate re-
sultin some of the contests. Particu-
larly is this true as to the nominations
for justice of the peace.
On the Republican side, which is
the most-sought-after place because
nomination on the Republican ticket
in Steelton tomorrow is equivalent to
election, there are five candidates.
And any one of the five have a chance
for nomination.
While it would seem that Thomas
V. Gardner, the present incumbent
Fred Wigheld and Frank Stees are
leading the field not even the shrewd-
est politician will predict which may
be the winner. Wigfield has made a
most OF friends by the business-like
ana fearless manner in which he con-
Quoted the office of burgess. While
ne has been handicapped by the lack
or organization to employ the usual
tactics which seem to win in Steelton
politics, he has made many votes by
his house-to-house canvass and the
clean-cut style of campaigning. Frank
Stees, who seems to have the best or
ganization for vote getting with him,
made an enviable record in Council
al IL
campaign. Thomas V. Gardner, who
is now squire, has made many friends
during his term in this office. He is
basing his claim for reelection on
the second term idea and has a host
of ardent supporters.
Other factors which will enter into
the final result in this contest is the
candidacy of James Haines, one of
the borough's most popular and eff
nclent conStableS. While Haines is
not looked upon by the leaders as a
winner, he will have a lot to do with
the final result. This applies almost
equally as well to Albert ]. Sellers. the
9tner candidate for squire; While
sellers will poll a large complimentary
vote on account of his record as a
Councilman, his following is hardly
large enough to land him on the top.
When it's all said, one mans guess as
to the outcome is as good as another's
until tomorrow evening.
On the Democratic ticket there
seems to be a real split BENJAMIN
Capella, the voltile Councilman from
the Fourth ward: Christian Hess, a
former postmaster and one of the "Old
Guard; John ]. Newbaker, whose
friends feel he was unjustly treated
when the postmastership was handed
out, and Oliver Baskins, superinten-
dent of the water department will
light 1t out for the honor of being
licked at the general election. The
result will be close.
In the contests for Council, however.
the atmosphere seems clearer. Chas.
E. Keim is unopposed in the First
ward on all tickets. z. C. Henderson
will likely land all three nominations
in the Second and j. V. w. Reynders
will go back to Council from the Third
with huge majority, probably being
unopposed after tomorrow. In the
Fourth ward the Republican nomina-
tion--which means election-wir be
contested for by T. T. McEntee, a for
mer burgess, and H. H. Hartman, a
prominent businessman, and the First
ward seems cinched by Michael a.
Obercash.
The office Of high constable Is
sought by six men on the Republican
ticket and three on the Democratic
side. It would be folly to make any
prediction as to the winner.