The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-04
Fight for Control of G. 0. P.
Machine Fails to Bring
Heavy Vote.
NO TROUBLE REPORTED
Police on Guard - Even
Workers Feel Apathy.

Despite a fight between George ".
Coffin, Republican county chairman,
and the Marion County Voters
League for control of the county ma
chine. a light vote, indicating a gen.
eral lack of interest on the part Of
the voters, marked the primary elec-
ton in Marion County today.
Though the grand jury was in ses,
sion and special steps had been
taken by police. Sheriff Hawkins and
the county prosecutors office to
cope with untoward incidents and
fraud attempts, all was quiet.
The jury convened at . a. m.
found nothing to do and adjourned
at noon.
Election commissioners received
many calls, but they practically all
were relative to petty details in the
precincts.
Balloting Light
Reports from poll workers general
ly were to the effect that balloting
was light.
Coffin predicted the total Repub-
lican vote would be about $4,000, a
little more than so per cent OF the
normal election vote. The county
chairman spurred workers who
visited headquarters.
The Marion County Republican
vote in 1924, when Governor Jack
son won the gubernatorial nomina-
tion. was 6S,929. The Democratic
was 22.273.
In the ninth precinct OF Fourth
ward. which is Coffin's home pre-.
cinct, 900 Republican votes were cast
at noon. There arc normally about
900 Republicans in the precinct. "a
Features Of the reports were that
a heavy Negro Democratic vote
would be cast and a heavy woman
vote would be polled in both parties.
Former Prosecutor William p.
Evans was in charge of the prose-
cutor's Office for the day and if any
indications Of fraud were noticeable
no reports were made.
Seldom has primary weather been
so chilly.
Winds were brisk near the voting
place at 10 y. West ST.. that work
ers for candidates ceased firing at
eachsother long enough 70 unite in
building a wood fire.
Even Workers Dull
The unofficial advisers Of the
voters seemed inanimate ana duh
An occasional FURRY of interest was
provided by the arrival Of an auto
mobile bringing voters or the sign
laden car of a candidate.
Negro workers, displaying badges
of the Marion County Voters
League. were near the "Av'noo"
precincts.
Both Coffin and the League have
complete sets of precinct committee.
men who select the county chairman
Saturday and states of candidates.
Lew Shank, former mayor,
could not resist the call OF the
political trumpet. Shank started
early on the trail of the precincts in
his snappy, new roadster. lie held
an informal reception for Negro
friends in front Of the polling place
at Sic California st. Nomination of
Claris Adams seemed to be Shank's s
chief concern.
Hi. there, Deacon" Lew called to
II Negro worker with an impressive
high-crowned black hat. What are
you, Republican or Democratic this
year?"
Rainbow ColOrs
The colors OF the rainbow were in
cluded in the various badges OF can
didates' battle standards Of the vari-
GUS factions. both Republican and
Democratic Most of them were of
paper, but Harry Dunn, candidate
for denomination as county auditor,
had provinded striking red silk rib
bons
Huge campaign banners moved
through the streets on the rear Of
automobiles of candidates and their
friends, while the automobile sticker
market evidently was prosperous.
At 1406 Columbia Ave. the polling
place Of the Twelfth precinct, First
ward, a Miss Posey, Negro pre-
cinct worker, tainted. She was
placed on the porch at that address,
but was removed next door and later
taken home when one Of the officials
said she 'interfered with the voters
getting in to vote"
Ernest Frick, an election official,
visited this precinct and said many
Negro workers about the polls were
drunk. Ira Holmes. election COM
missioner, investigated.
Coffin faction leaders contend
their slate would go over strong" d"
declaring the Marion County Voters
League was handicapped by short.
age OF workers.
League at Polls
Hundreds of workers for the
League, however, received final in
structions at headquarters, at 1900
City Trust Bldg, Monday night, and
Harvey Bedford. president, expressed
jubilation at the prospects.
One Of the hottest struggles was
between former City Judge Delbert
o Wilmeth and Prosecutor William
II. Remy for Marion County prose.
cutor Friends of Remy had feared
the desertion by Coffin forces in the
campaign would defeat their can.
didate, but it was said that Remy's
bo u,,or xryae, oarriol fo l..