Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-08
Pot;ttc4 ;x
Ps~~ofO0ai0
BY the Ex-OomunitteAu,an

Criticism of the manner in which
election officers made returns of the
votes in many of the cities and
horoughs of the State are being
voiced in the courts and are adding
to the general dissatisfaction with the
existing nomination and ballot laws.
In some counties the judges have
scored the election officers for blund-
ering and admonished others to read
instructions. Answers have been
made by election officers that the
work required of them because of the
big ballot and complicated system is
making the work of counting so
onerous that men are almost worn
out.
One result of the election in many
districts has been TO move for the
division of large precincts so that the
task of the election boards will not
be so great and the results may be
made known more rapidly.
The alarm felt by the State
Democratic bosses over the defeat of
Democrats in many sections and the
reputation of candidates set up by
the machine is evidenced by the man
ner in which big cogs in the machine
are getting busy. James /. Blakslee,
assistant postmaster general, was in
the State last week looking up the
extent Oh the damage.
Robert G. Bushong, appointed to
the Berks bench by Governor Tener,
lost the election by the smallest ma
jority known between a Democrat and
a Republican running for judge in that
county.
w. ]. W. Jones, the last burgess
and the first mayor of Coatesville, won
his election by seven votes over a
ministerial candidate.
The Philadelphia Ledger of yes
terday in analyzing the situation in
the Pennsylvania delegation in con-
gress dwells on the fact that there will
be thirty Republicans to six Demo-
Gratis. 1t also announces that the late
lamented a. Mitchell Palmer will con-
tinue to be consulted by the president
in distribution of patronage in Penn
sylvania although there will be only
two reorganization Democrats in the
whole State delegation.
The Philadelphia Inquirer has
this to say to-day about the United
States senatorial contest: "It developed
last night, following a conference of
Allegheny county politicians in At
lantic City. that former Secretary of
State Philander Chase Knox has for
midable opposition for the United
States Senate TO succeed George 7.
Oliver. notwithstanding reports from
Washington to the contrary. Part of
the western contingent went through
this city last evening on their way
home from the seashore, and made 1t
clear that f. V. Babcock. the Pitts
burgh millionaire lumberman, must be
considered as a factor in the Sena-
torial contest as potential party men
in the Republican. organization in a
number of western counties have
been sounded in his interest and are
ready to make a fight in his behalf. 1t
is known that active Republicans
from several interior counties Just be-
for he started West to bring back the
Liberty Bell called upon Senator Pen
rose in the interest of State Chairman
William L. Crow for the Senatorship.
Mr.. Crow has within the last few
weeks indicated a disposition to con-
tinue the leadership of the State Sem
ate, but in the event of a contest be-
tween the forces of Knox and Bah
cock some of his admirers predict
that he will get into the fight"
1t is probable that the anniver-
sary of Paxton Presbyterian church
next Sunday when 175 years of serv-
ice will be celebrated will attract
many former members of the church.
This church was the mother church in
this section and all Harrisburg Pres
byterian churches will pay tribute TO
it.
Political speculation over the
cabinet of Mayor-elect Smith having
virtually been tabooed by his state
ment before leaving Philadelphia for
two weeks rest at Hot Springs that
no consideration of the matter would
be given by him until his return to
the city, the forthcoming Spring
primaries for the election of State
committeeman and delegates to Ma
tional Republican Convention already
are engaging interest. Although the
primary will not be held until May 16
strategic maneuvers already are dis
cerned by those who closely follow po-
litical matters.
ACE AMI XnUTu