Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-12-03
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By the Ex-Committeeman

! pS the IHllduelpnla HuDnC Ledger
against Revenue Collector Ben +.
Davis, of Lancaster, that he solicited
contributions Tor the Democratic
campaign chest while holding a fed
eral job will lead to some investiga-
tion into reports of similar activities
on the part of men who are cogs in
the Democratic State machine and
who are said to have been as active
in political affairs as Davis. The fact
that Davis is chairman of the Lam
caster committee while holding a fed
eral job is much discussed.
In days gone by such action on the
part of a Republican officeholder as
has been charged against Davis would
have resulted in an outcry from one
end OF the State to the other on the
| part Of Democrats. But like the
foregathering of bosses in back rooms
such things become proper acts when
done by the reorganization chiefs.
--Mayor-elect Thomas b. Smith
continues to be the foremost figure
in interest in State politics just now.
The Philadelphia Inquirer to-day
says: Until the mayor-elect shall
make known his selection, Republi-
cans throughout the State will con-
| tinue to speculate as to Importance of
the outcome of this interesting situa-
| uon.' In Pittsburgh the Gazette
Times says: while the State waits
for the Philadelphia key to make
noise like unlocking the situation, the
| political machinery in every county of
Pennsylvania is clogged. Candidates
for everything from county commit
| teeman to United States Senator are
being kept under cover"
A move to have election officers
appointed, as are registrars, in the in
terest of better work, is being con-
sidered in Philadelphia. Clinton
Rogers Woodruff, civil service re-
former and chairman of the registra-
ton board said yesterday that con-
stitutional amendment was being pre-
pared for introduction at the 1917
session of the Legislature. In speak
ing of the move, Mr.. Woodruff said
that a similar amendment had been
introduced at the same time as those
providing for annual elections, but that
1t had been defeated through the op-
position of q number of reformers in
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. who
have since changed their minds. "A
constitutional amendment Is necessary
because at present there is a provision
that the election officers shall be
chosen by the electors. Just why this
should be the case 1t is hard to deter
mine, in view of the heavy burdens
already resting on the voters. The
move is made in the interests of the
short ballot and of efficiency" Mr..
Woodruff intimated that there was
likelihood of an effort being made to
amend the registration law so as to
make election officers eligible to serve
as registrars, 1t being his strong per-
sonal opinion that registrars, by rea-
son of their duties, were specially
qualified to make efficient election
officers.
Mayor elect Thomas B. Smith
gave no intimation yesterday regard
ing any contemplated appointment to
his cabinet for Philadelphia and it is
possible that he may make no an
nouncements until after the members
of select and common councils shall
have met in caucus in their respective
chambers at eleven o'clock tomorrow
morning and decided upon their offi-
GERS for the coming year. 1t has been
agreed among the potential members
of both branches that James L. Len
non of the Twenty-SiXth ward q Ware
adherent, shall be backed for presi-
dent of select council to succeed Harry
&c. Ransley. elected Sheriff, and that
DR.. L. b. Gleason, of the Ninth ward.
Il supporter of Senator McNichol, shall
be elected to the presidency of COM
mon council as successor of George
McCurdy.
Mayor Armstrong of Pittsburgh.
was BEFORE the AlleSheny county grand
jury yesterday in the ballot fraud in
vestigation. His examination was
brief. Senator Charles II. Kline has
also been subpenaed but why it is not
stated.
Philadelphia will vote on it's great
loan at a special election on February
eighth.
Erie is arranging a special mayor
atty election.
j. Fl. Cooney, Democrat. is con-
testing the election of H. T. Jones, of
Ebensburg. as county controller of
Cambria. He claims he was elected by
401 votes.
Judge elect Mcpherson of Adams,
spent S11,233 in his campaign. Judge
Miller of Montgomery, who had
practically no fight, spent $4,000.
| Judge Woods. of Lewistown, spent
| $3,S27 and was defeated.