Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-10-02
Harris Out Of Race For
Treasurer.
Finds Teaching Takes Up His
Time. His Statement.

Last week S. Fenton Harris, one of
the candidates for County Treasurer on
the Republican Ticket who was defeated
in the primaries, and who later announced
himself as an independent candidate for
County Treasurer, withdrew from the
race, giving as his reason for SO doing
! that his duties as teacher of the Boys
High School in Frederick claimed his at
tention. In his statement which follows
and which was published in the Fred
erick News last Saturday, he gives Re-
publican Bosses some hot shots
! Mr. Harris statement follows:
although was defeated by lS votes
still stand for the same principle upon
which based my campaign-A Square
Deal; overthrow of the self-constituted
bosses; the abolition of money in elec-
I tions; and in primary elections let the
organization keep hands off. In political
affairs as well as in other matters or
ganization of the right KIND Is to be de-
sired; but when lew corrupt and de-
ceitful would-be bosses attempt to man
age an organiza ton, thea think it is
time to call halt,
1--WE can have clean, honest men at
the head of our county affairs if we want
them, but just so long as We allow these
corrupt politicians to manage affairs and
succeed, conditions are going to go from
bad to worse.
81 accept the defeat, not because be-
lieve that had a square deal, nor be-
cause feel that the successful candidates
! money was not used against me to buy
votes but because | am too busy with
my work at the Boys High School try
ing to teach the coming voters of Fred
erick county their duty as citizens.
IL have been urged by quite few of
my best friends to come out as a candi-
date for the Office of county treasurer,
independent of the bosses in either party
and have given the matter serious con-
sideration. 1t is not because | am no
longer Republican in principle, not be-
cause l am aggrieved at the result of
recent primary election that | have
given this matter serious consideration;
but it is because think that it is high
time that someone should take a stand
: for what is right and not allow these un-
scrupulous politicians to do their unlaw-
full tricks and feel that they have sue
ceeded.
mo, do not think it my duty nor
duty of any fairminded citizen to sup
port ticket ominated by such means
as the greater part of the Republican
ticket was nominated. Citizens of Fred
erick county! 1t is time for you to
awake What we need is not less poll
tics. Shall these self-constituted bosses
go on unmolested; or shall we by our
votes on election day give them such
defeat that they will realize that the
people of Frederick county are no longer
going to tolerate such leadership as has
characterized the Republican party.
"After careful consideration, and after
| securing nearly twice the number of
signers necessary to be an Independent
candidate, | have decided not to be
candidate | have arrived at this de-
csion because feel that the sentiment
against this abominable so-called organi-
zation has developed and is growing so
rapidly that the principle for which |
/ stand will predominant at the coming
election, and that therefore it is unneces-
sary for me to do more than simply keep
the fire burning.
Il want it distinctly understood that |
am not drawing out because of any prom
ises made by this would.be boss; al
though quite a few of his lieutenants
have been to see me in reference to the
matter-in fact five at one time, but
their coming to me has had absolutely
nothing to do with my decision. One of
them said, This boss came to my home
and asked me to see you and ask you to
withdraw Now if there is one man in
Frederick county in whom l do not have
the slightest confidence it is this boss,
and if he felt that | should withdraw for
his benefit, he should have had the cour-
age to come and see me himself.
"As for my political future, that will
take care of itself. believe in making
the very best use of the present and the
future will take care of itself.
81 appeal to the voters of Frederick
county, don't be led to the class to which
refer; but come out to the election
next November and vote for "MEN,"
and not for Party and we shall have a
reduction in our tax bill .<nd better and
cleaner administration of our county af
fairs.
Remember, Mr.. Voter, the man w no
pays you So 90 to vote will get that So 90
back, with interest, after he gets in
Office Any man who will buy public
Office is certainly not to be trusted, and
it seems that it is practically impossible
to get nomination for an office on the
Republican ticket in Frederick county
without handing out to this would be
boss large sum of money. If condi-
tions continue as they have been we
shall have our offices filled by the same
calibre of men as those running the or
ganization, as water always seeks it's
level.