Indiana daily times., 1921-06-06
2 POLITICAL
BATTLES NOW
ON AT MARION
Election of School Superin,
tendent and Nomination of
Mayor Claim Attention.
CONTESTS HARD FOUGHT
Rv = staff Correspondent.


Just emerged from one Of the hottest
campaigns ever waged here, not
withstanding the one-sided victory
won in the contest over the institu-
ton Of the commission form OF
municipal government in place of the
present councilmanic-mayoralty sys-
TEN, this city today is boiling over
with two more hot contests.
And the Republican county and
city organizations are enmeshed in
the nets Of the struggle to a point
which threatens to strain severely
the good nature of the various fac
tions, If not create a definite rupture
IN party harmony.
The two struggles are those of the
election today Of a county superintendent
Of schools, and the nomination on Aug. 2
Of a Republican candidate for mayor Of
Marion. The mayoralty nomination fight
has been brewing for some time, since
the first declarations Of candidacy by
several men, prior to the campaign for
the commission form OF government,
while the contest over the school super
iintendency has evolved itseI into a bitter
factional struggle only in past three
CT four days.
-FOUR CANDIDATES
FOR SCHOOL JOB.
Three. and possibly four candliat7e
were outstanding in the race for the
county school heads Job. They were
Ernest J. Holsinger, Republican, teach
er in the Center township schools;
( Charles H Terrell Democrat, present
county superintendent; Chalmer c.
{ Thomas, former instructor in the old
Marion Normal College, and long identi-
fled with educational work, and whose
politics are said to be at present an enig-
ma to those who are interested in the bat
tle and Walter Baker, instructor in the
junior high school OF Marion.
The majority of the county orgauiza
tion, including John A Jones. Repu lean
chairman Of Grant County and the Elev-
enth Congressional district: Austin D.
Hunt, county auditor; Sam Connolly,
county clerk; the three county commits
sioners. and numerous other minor county
officials, as well as the regular chauffeurs
OF the G. o. P. machine in the county,
were behind HoIsinger's candidacy and
have been working tooth and toenan for
his election, ever since they have seen
there was to be q fight for the place.
More time on the cOuntys business has
not given them an excuse TO desert the
cause Of their Republican friend.
Harvey N. McCaskey. one of the lead
ing politicians OF the county, a man not
TO be overlooked in matters political be
cause Of his position as county highway
superintendent. and many Of his lieuten.
ants TIARA haqEfur Thomas
PRESENT INCUMBENT
ENTERS RACE EVENT.
In the theory that possession is nine
points OF the law, Terrell injected himself
into the race and sought the office for
the third time, because, shrewd politician
and thinker that he is. he figured with
i've Democratic trustees and a couple Of
the Republicans favorable to him,
through long association, he had more
than fair chance to run home with the
bacon.
No one in particular, seemed to be be-
hind Baker, and he was considered more
as a clark hOrse.' or compromise can
didate, than anything else. One or two
Of the trustees, also, would not shy st
the place, although they did not make
any active canvass for the election.
Holsinger announced his candidacy
months ago, and even prior TO that, was
working quietly in an effort to corral
the seven votes, out Of the thirteen, neces-
sary for election. he has been a tireless
worker in the Republican ranks Of Grant
County. and has served year after year
as a precinct committeeman. He also has
been connected with the Marion and
Grant County schools for years, and now
IS Center Townships principal. He prob
ably is in as close touch with the educa-
tional system here as any man in the
county.
HOLSINGER
PARTY WORKER.
One thing that is given as a reason for
Hoisinger's candidacy is difficulty that
arose a little more than year ago, when
he had trouble with a. T. Highley, super
intendent OF the Marion schools, which
resulted in his resignation from the
teaching staff Of the Marion High School
Another theory being advanced to show
that HolSinger is the man for the place.
IS his tireless activities for the Repub-
1fean cause, which his supporters say,
have earned for him some sort Of re-
ward.
Terrell. through means Of holding the
place for two terms, has made friends
with the trustees. and has aided them not
r few times in surmOunting difficulties
that havs arisen in their paths in the
course Of duty. These little acts Of as
sistance were expected to aid toward re-
election today.
Thomas, who entered the race just q
few days ago. has presented a problem
TO the politicians, in a manner similar to
that Of Thomas c. Howe, who sought the
Republican nomination for Mayor Of Indi-
annapolis in the recent primary, in that
he practically IS a 'man without a
party" He is accused Of having voted
the Democratic ticket once or twice, is
known to have been an active prOhibi-
ZIONIST at one time, and now is seeking
election on grounds of being a Repub-
hean. His eligibility was not questioned.
The only thing that stood in his way
was his partisanships.
Since the fight warmed up, the poll
tieans dropped everything, and lined up
loyalty behind their respective favorltes,
ard even Sunday schools suffered in at
tendance, because OF the interest Of the
supporters in the contest.
Predictions were made Sunday that
either HOlsinger or Terrell would be
named on the fifth ballot. It was certain
that Terrell would hold his five Demo
cratic votes clear through the ballot
Ing, and the speculation was on his
chances OF capturing two of the Repub-
hcan votes. Holsinger was expected to
start out with two votes on the first bal
lot and gradually, by process Of elimina-
tion, asslmilate the necessary seven
votes By the fifth ballot.
A long drawn out battle is expected
IN the Republican mayoralty contest
Seven candidates have, or will soon have.
He'd their declarations Of candidacy for