The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-03-27
School Meeting

| School Meeting
The annual school meeting TO
Northampton township was held in
the court house, Tuesday evening, anG
the interest that has existed in the las
few years was not abated, a large Gro We
being present, not especially to discuss
school matters or to inquire into the
subject OF how the funds Of the school,
are distributed, but to vote for candi
dates for the position OF member of the
Board of Education.
The meeting was called to order by
the district clerk, and Clifford r.
Powell was chosen chairman. District
clerk Mason read a synopsis of his
annual report, which will be published
and distributed, and then the polls
were opened. Two boxes were neces-
sary, that for members of the Board
being in charge of William B. Pearson
and John Throckmorton, Jr., the box
for the appropriations being presided
over by Franklin Zelley and Ezekias
W. Esham. For an hour from 7.45
there was steady stream of voters
and when the polls were closed it was
found 403 ballots had been cast.
For school expenses there was not
any contest. many of the voters ignor-
ing that subject entirely and the
amount asked for by the Board of
Education was granted. For members
|of the Board there was something do
ing, There were six candidates in the
field. Mrs. William Sherman was
elected to the unexpired term of two
years without opposition. For the full
term of three years there was contest.
The candidates were Miss Mary w.
Budd, Morris K. Perinchief, Frank
Dillon, Charles Mincer and Joseph C.
Kidgdon. AS matter of course the
opposition centred against the latter
and it was successful. The vote was
as follows: Mrs. Sherman, 1913; Miss
Budd. SQ7; Morris K. Perinchiei. 80l;
Frank Dillon, 81; Joseph c. Kingdom,
1874; Charles Mincer. 242.
Mr.. Mincer, the successful candidate
is resident of Pine street, an employee
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad Com,
pany, and member OF some lodges.
The combined support of these in
terests landed him. There were, of
course, many stories afioat which had
their effect against the unsuccessful
candidate, one Of which was that he
printed ticket from which he pur-
posely omitted the name of Mr.. Mincer.
This story was very assiduously circu-
lated by one man who was insistent
that a blanket ballot should be printed
with the names of all candidates on.
He evidently had forgotten that one
year ago Notwithstanding there were
six men in the field he circulated
ticket on which appeared his name
and two others-a blanket ticket was
not right then, but strictly proper this
time.
In 1913 three gentlemen were on one
ticket, were endorsed by four societies,
and letters were sent out requesting
support for them. No blanket ticket,
no condemnation.
In 1914 there were two tickets-sepa-
rate-in the field, and on one of them
roc tho x,ox,,o ~ q no, s,,l,< 800 -.
active in condemning the neglect to
make blanket ticket, but, when he
ran, such ballot was entirely unneces-
sary.
That same year circular was sent
out through the daily newspapers ask
ing the election of three gentlemen.
Nobody objected. This year the same
thing was done and there was a great
howl.
But it makes a difference whose OK
is gored. Any excuse to secure an end
earnestly desired is perfectly justi6able
at the Time it is being worked. Past
presidents are OF no account.
There is no fault, on the part of
the defeated one, to be found with
the result. The voters who at
tended the meeting expressed an opin-
ion and the majority must rule.
While perfectly willing to serve in the
office he is just as well contented to be
clear of the work and criticism that
necessarily attends the Office of Board
of Education.
In this connection the following
communication is given space. It is
from reputable gentleman and tax
payer. He says:
Editor of The News: Is this good
time to speak on the methods of elect
| ing members of the Board of Educa-
ton or should the matter be brought
to the attention of the authorities prior
to the next election With the idea
that now is the time when the matter
| is fresh in memory l wish to enter a
protest on the way in which the polls
were closed SO quickly on Tuesday
evening. 1t is probably true that they
were kept open an hour. as the law re-
quires, but / understand the law saws
| they must be kept open as much long,
er as is necessary for the legal voters TO
cast ballot. This was not done Tues
day evening. Persons who had gone
/ to church and many who had other
engagements which prevented them
getting to the polls within the nouI
were deprived of the privilege Of voting
on one of the most important Offices in
the township. know of at least &c
persons who were thus shut out. Who
they intended to vote for l do not
know neither do care. 1t is the fact
that they were not allowed to cast O
ballot that l am complaining about
In my estimation the polls should be
opened at some hour in the afternoon
and be kept open until at least nine
O'Clock in the evening. | understand
this has been suggested before but has
been refused because it would REQUIRE
the expenditure OF a sum Of money tC
pay tellers and conduct the election
What if it does? Have not the people
who are paying large school taxes anC
who may possibly be called upon ts
pay more, the right to have little O
1t spent so that they may get some
privileges? / hope the new Board o
Education will take this matter int
consideration and that when the cleo
ton is held next year, voters will no
be compelled to go to the polling place
be jammed in crowd in order 70 reacl
the ballot boxes and. as in this in
Stance, be deprived oftheir vote entire
liy."