Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-05-16

That Awful Ballot
The Republican ballot was the larg-
est ever voted at a primary and the
Democratic was almost as bad. Vot-
ers who received it expressed their
opinion in plain words and there we're
many who apparently gave up in dis
gust and turned in ballots with a few
marks instead of going down the line.
In some places men sat around be-
fore voting to study out the problem
and the marked ballots which were
circulated and advertised in the news
papers were a great assistance. The
old trick of holding the watch on the
time it took n man to vote lost lts
force to-day and there was all kinds
of joking about the minutes consumed
in voting. In some districts 1t was re-
ported that men who admitted voting
straight through took from three to
six minutes to make their marks. A
few lightning calculators went through
in minute, but the extent of their
voting was suspected.
The general impression is that 1t
will be sometime tomorrow before
anything like accurate results can be
obtained.
Delays in Getting Started
Among the districts where there
were delays in getting started were
some in the city and few In the
county. One in the city was the Sec
ond precinct of the Sixth ward, whose
election board was before the courts
last year. The new officers were late
in getting on the job and did not seem
to mind the protests from men who
wanted to vote and get away.
In the Riverside precinct of Susque-
hanna township there was some ques-
ton over alleged discrepancies be-
tween the assessment list and the reg
istration book so the officers called
up the county commissioners to get
straightened out. The assessor was
not on the job at the start off to eX-
plain some additional names. But the
storm blew over The same thing oc-
Cured in Gratz and Hummelstown
and also in Washington township.
These difficulties were ironed out by
the assessors.
Williamstown folks called up early
to know why lac Washington ballots
were not delivered. 1t was discovered
that they were mixed up in packing at
the printing plant and the right bale
was rushed to the coal mining town by
automobile.
Many disputes over party Affiliations
and age were reported. In the city
voters who did not register could not
vote on age.
Law VS.. Law
Statute law bumped against judge
made law in one of the downtown dis
tricts. The deputy constable did not
appear at the TIME the judge of cleo
ton thought he should be on hand TO
earn his $ and the election judge eX-
ercised authority and named deputy
for the deputy. The first deputy then
appeared and a clash occurred, when
the county commissioners office set
tied by recognizing the deputy named
by the courts under statute law.
Cumberland county was having the
same troubles as Dauphin and from
all accounts Perry county was also
suffering from lack of popular interest
officers of election boards threw up
their hands when asked about what
time the suffering public could obtain
returns. Every one appeared to think
unkindly of the task confronting the
boards after the polls closed. Mid
night was the general prediction.
Vote Very Light
This community was not unlike other
parts of the State in having a ilght
sylvania reported the same thing and
a Pittsburgh message told OF general
lack of interest. Claims were made by
Penrose partisans that the interior
Senator and against the Governor ana
Allegheny county was clalmea by py rem
rose men by from 2O,OOO 10 Eo'uOu'
In many counties, as in Dauphin ana
Cumberland, Governor Brumbaugh is
getting a complimentary vote. The Pen
rose Organizations, which appear from
reports to have the better arrange
ments, are not trying to prevent this.
w. Harry Baker of this city. will poll a
big vote hereabouts for delegate at
large. So will John Wanamaker,
although there were reports that liquor
interests were inclined to strike at the
great merchant. Senator Snyder will
| lead Speaker Amber in this county,
which is his birthplace.
In Other Counties
In Lancaster county the Griest or
ganization was voting for the Cover
nor Senator Penrose and John NJ. Reyn-
olds very strong Mr.. Reynolds is also
being backed by many people here for
personal reasons. In Philadelphia the
Wares are supporting Harmon NJ. KEEP
hart for State Treasurer instead of j.
V. Clark and Colonel James Elverson,
| Jr., owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer,
and Alba B. Johnson, who are running
uninstructed for national delegate.
EX-Deputy Attorney General +. w.
Fleitz says that the Governor will
sweep the northeastern section of the
State, but this is disputed. In Pitts
! burgh j. Denny O'Neil says that Brum-
baugh will get the whole dry" vote.
! Senator Penrose and his friends say
! that the Governor will be routed and
| his combination smashed.
| And when ii is all over some plan to
| simplify the ballot will be discussed
because everyone was disgustcd with it