The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1916-04-28
Too Much Politics.

We frequently hear this expression, "Too
much politics for the good of the country" The
orce of this sentiment given practical dem
onstration, in a local way, in the selection Of a
county board of road commissioners by the board
Of supervisors last week
If the consideration of any question under the
Heavens should be eliminated from politics. it is
the good roads question; and yet politics was the
only consideration given the matter from start to
fl nish and by combination of the democrats and
their ''allies from the city and township Of South
Haven, three of whom were elected as republicans
and one independently the first board Of road com
missioners for Van Buren, county all demo
cratic. Several capable republican candidates
were presented but regardless Of their qualidca-
tions all were smashed beneath the combination
steam roller.
1t has been suggested to The True Northerner
that the public should be invited and urged to
attend the sessions of the board of supervisors
that they might know for themselves what was
going on and how it was DONE 1t this session
owever, very little could have been learned in
actual session. It was what transpred in secret
aucus of the democrats and their ''allies' from
he lake city that would be Of interest.
Supervisor Burger of Bangor aspired to the
chairmanship which by the way is laudable am
we're six others of that political faith pres
ent, Supervisor Gaynor being absent The bal
lot gave Supervisor Burger l. votes and Supervis
or Kirby of Covert 9 votes The South Haven
supervisors voting with the democrats. 1t should
b said that the democratic members should not
b e censured for the combination" thus far. Mr..
Burger is one Of the strong members on the board.
If the democrats could get the assistance Of re-
publican supervisors to elect of their political
faith chairman, all well and good, but it the
consideration Of the road question that mahes the
combination" look bad
In the selection of road commissioners, Louis
Waber of Pine Grove the first man to be con.
sidered Mr.. Waber is democrat aud is recog.
nized as one of the best road builders in the state.
At present he is engaged in building good roads
for Kalamazoo county. The republicans agreed
wi tn the democrats on Mr.. Waber as one member
of the board. No politics thus far, but listen!
Robert Trip of Covert and Chas. Converse of
South Haven were next considered. Mr.. Trip
S considered one of the best road builders in the
county and has excellent qualifications in every
way. His only fault in this was the fact that
he is republican, while Mr.. Converse is said to
be democrat. The supervisors of South Haven
city and township wanted him and the 'combna.
tlon' won, Converse receiving II votes the same
DumDer as elected Mr.. burger chairman, ana the
debt was paid. But they were not through yet.
NJ H. Young of Paw Paw was next considered.
Mr.. Young is man whose ability and qualifca.
tons for any important position is never ques-
toned. He is conceded by everyone to be an ex
cellent man for member of this board of commits.
sioners but Mr. Young is also a republican and
he too had to go down before the ''roer." He
was defeated by Frank Stapleton Of Decatur.
Right here The True Northerner desires to state
that Mr.. Stapeton is one of the county's esteemed
and respected citizens He is man of ability and
state appointee being state oil inspector There
is no objection to him. 1t is the petty politics
that the democrats resorted to in making these
selections that is Objectionable We are informed
that Mr. Stapleton cannot OF will not accept the
appointment. Several other names were present
ed,tamong them being George Dillenbeck of Law.
renee. Mr.. Dillenbeck is road builder and has
all the requisite qualifications. However he is a
republican and the combination" passed him up.
AS an illustration of the unfairness of the
democrats and the South Haven supervisors in
making these selections, it may be said that many
kilograms were received from the business men of
South Haven urging the consideration of Dr. G.
f. Young No man in the county has spent more
time and money or is more interested in this sub
ject than DR.. Young But again DR.. Young is a
republican and he was not even permitted to get a
look at the ''roller."
The True Northerner is not informed as to the
, Converse for the