The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1916-08-17
new ENTRIES
in POLITICS OF
THE COUNTY
r.. E. Pratt of this City and III. III.
Bowers of Richland Road Are
After Commissioner Job
G. C. .MOORESFOR LEGISLATURE
Pratt Is Brought Out as Compromise
BY Representatives from the Diff
ferent Neighborhoods

Local politics took a new and un-
expected turn last Thursday when a
new candidate for county commission
er came in to the field and four of the
prospective candidates went out. The
new development was the result of a
compromise meeting called by A. s..
Goss, of Finley.
Until that time there were four can
didates in the race, C. E. Cox, of Fin
ley, c. E. Lurl, of The Valley, Gordon
Moores, of Richland, and E. o. Keene,
of the Highlands. The objects sought
by Mr.. Goss was to get the candidates
and their leading supporters together
in an effort to effect compromise
and agree upon one man which could
be supported by all neighborhoods and
thereby eliminate political fight
which might result in considerable ill
feeling.
After each of the candidates had
stated his platform and the represen-
tatives of each neighborhood had out
lined what are the needs of their re-
spective communities and what they
expect commissioner to do, it be-
came evident that it would be impos-
sible to unite upon any one of the four
candidates. Those present, especially
those from the neighborhoods in this
end of the district, did not hesitate to
say that for the last six years they
have not had their share of the dis
trict road money and for that reason
they were determined to elect COM
missioner from their own neighbor-
hood.
After several hours of discussion it
was decided the only basis upon which
he conflicting neighborhood demands
night be harmonized was to select
some town man who could be relied
lpon to deal fairly with all districts.
The name of R. E. Pratt was suggest
ID. Mr.. Pratt, however, insisted that
he did not want the job nor any other I.
public office but agreed to consider the
provided his candidacy
would tend to unity the various in
erests of the districts.
One by one the four candidates for
nally withdrew in favor of Mr.. Pratt
md every man present pledged his
support and said he would return to
lis neighborhood, use his efforts to
iscourage any other filings, and would
york to secure the nomination and
lection of Mr.. Pratt, in the event that
here were other candidates.
Mr.. Pratt went to Prosser Friday
nd filed the declaration of his candi-
acy on the republican ticket. The
day H. H. Bowers, who lives
etween here and Richland, filed on
he same ticket. Ed. Zimmerman, of
,ichland. had already filed on the
emocratic ticket.
Another last-day development was
he candidacy of Gordon c. Moores
or representative. When word was
eceived from Grant A. Stewart, who
J at his mine near Laurier, that it
vould be impossible for him to become
candidate for reelection, friends of
lr. Moores began to urge him to make
he race against Jas. X. Hawkins, and
is one Of these two gentlemen who
1ll fight it out at the general election
nth j. B. Clements, who is the demo-
ratio candidate.
There was not the usual rush of
leventh hour filings and Auditor J.
. Syfford, Sheriff Duffy and Assessor
:. II. Wheaton are unopposed for re-
lection either in the primaries or at
he general election. There will be
o contest for the nomination for
ther treasurer or prosecuting attor-
ey as there is but one candidate on
ach ticket.
Superintendent A. c. Jones has
hanged his mind and filed Friday for
selection on the republican ticket.
e is opposed by Mrs. L. NJ Crawford,
Prosser. Mrs. Teachout, of Rich
md, who filed for this office, was dis
lalified as candidate because she
pes not hold the proper teachers GER
ficate.
Commissioner F. L. Bash, of Han
CONTINUED on page ten)