Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-30
Poettica im
Ps~~o4eOo~io
By the Ex-Committeeman

On the manner in which the nom
partisan election laws works out in
the selection of judges and mayors
and councilmen in the counties and
in the second and third class cities
or Pennsylvania this fall will depend
the future of the nonpartisan laws
of the Keystone State in the next
Legislature, according to men who
things.
There was pronounced movement
against the nonpartisan law in the
last Legislature. but it did not come
10 a head because of the attitude of
lnfuential Republicans. 1t was then
agreed among men who oppose the
law that they would await the man
ner IN which 1t worked out this year.
II there was anything which indi-
Gated that the law did not meet con-
ditions in the state these men agreed
that they would submit it to the next
Legislature.
There are several contests in which
judges are candidates for renomi-
nation in which they are being op-
posed on more or less partisan laws
and in other counties the attacks
upon judges of approved ability and
standing nave Become so strong that
formed in their interest.
In Philadelphia the general mu-
nicipal election will be of so much
Importance this year that it is bound
10 have some effect on the nonparti-
san movement. The effort to es-
tablish nonpartisan council for that
city failed in the Legislature and the
attempt to get the nonpartisan fea-
ture out of the second class city law
did not go on the books. Similarly
the move to restore the third class
city partisan election system failed.
If there are many upsets in the
elections this year there will be a re-
currence of the move to abolish the
nonpartisan feature of both the ju-
dicial and municipal election laws
which would also initiate against its
adoption for the city of Philadelphia,
According to the PHILADELPHIA
newspapers. there is more harmony
being kneaded into the situation
every day and that it is going to work
out Is evidenced by the objections
being made by the Philadelphia Rec
ord, which protests against the Re-
publican agreements. The Democrats
are split about as badly in Philadel-
phia as is possible.
The bulk of the PHILADELPHIA
contests Just now are for ward hon.
ors and the Wares seem to be getting
what they want in the way of
changes in polling places.
In Pittsburgh the mayoralty and
councilmanic candidates are having a
beautiful time illustrating the prac-
teal manner in which the nonparti-
san act works out. It looks like
Magee and Babcock for the mayor
atty nominations.
-Philadelphians have formed a.
citizens committee for denomination
of Judges Stake and Monaghan.
w. r. Conrad, William Weigand,
Frederick Rupert, Louis Pfeil and
John John, five councilmen of Ia
maqua, SchuyIkil county, were ves-
terday ousted from office by Judge
Johnson on quo warranto proceed
ings because as members of the
American Hose Company, voiun-
teer firemen's organization, they gave
large contracts to the fire company.
One contract alone, for the removal
of garbage, amounted to $4,000.
Judge Johnson said that for council
men to give contracts to companies
in which they were interested is con-
trary to good public policy and would
almost certainly open the door to
-
tation. which was the very thing the
law of 1860 was enacted to prevent.
County Solicitor t. McKeen
Chidsey, of Northampton, yesterday
gave an opinion to the county COM
missioners that as the Bethlehems do
not become a city government until
January 1. next, 1t was not necessary
for the electors there to register for
this falls primaries and election.
The question was raised in the Beth
lehems and created considerable anx-
iety, as no provision for registration
had been made. Judge r. c. Stew
art who is a candidate for re-elec-
ton, was asked his opinion on the
question by a reporter, but declined
to give ii. He said, however, that SO
far as he was concerned, he was will
ing to let every citizen vote and he
would agree tc take no advantage of
the situation IL it was decided that
there should have been registration
in the new city. He further said that
registration in cities like Bethlehem
and Easton, where every voter is
known, is a useless thing.
The Philadelphia Press TODAY
says regarding a successor to Judge
Morris Dallett, of Philadelphia:
Friends of Finance Chairman
Gaffney have been menti3ning him as
a possibility. but it is understood that
he is not desirous of going on this
bench.
"Quite number of men active in
political affairs are booming ex-Judge
d. Webster Dougherty for the place.
Friends of Joseph G.. Magee. a
general assistant to City Solicitor
Connolly. are urging that he be APP
pointed.
Former Director Of Public Safety
Smyth also IS frequently mentioned.
''It is generally believed that the
Governor will fill the vacancy by ap-
pointmeut and In the near future"