The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-03-07
ONLY THREE NAMES TO Be
ON CITY BALLOT MONDAY
Vacant Spaces Provided For
Write-In Names For Mayor,
Councilman and Treasurer
POLLS OPEN NINE TO SIX

With the deadline for filing as can
didates for mayor, councilmen and
treasurer of Oakland having passed
with only one person filing for each
office, situation has arisen in the
town which is unparalleled in its his
tory, but which may be ironed out all
right at the annual election on Mon
day, March II, when the voters will be
afforded the opportunity of writing
in names of their choice on the mu-
nicipal ballot to be voted at that time.
Those duly recorded as candidates
for reelection are Mayor Lawrence M.
Fraley, Treasurer Richard Davis and
Councilman Henry w. McComas, and
their names are the only ones which
will appear on the official ballot as
printed.
Two other incumbent members of
Council, whose terms of office expire,
Earl Shartzer and Raymond D. Houck.
did not file their candidacy papers.
Besides the Mayoralty position for
g two-year term, and the Treasurer,
for one year, three councilmen are to
be elected for two-year terms.
At the regular council meeting on
Monday night both Mr.. Shartzer and
Mr.. Houck said they would be candi-
dates for reelection, but their names
will have to be written in in spaces
provided by law for such purposes.
These write-ins must be done by the
voters when they present themselves
at the polling place. Citizens may also
write in the names of any other quail
flied voters for any of the offices.
Providing there are no write-ins,
the retiring councilmen would retain
office until they resign, in which case
the council would have authority to
appoint new officers" according to
City Attorney julius C. Renninger.
"The possibilities for one grand mix
up are prevalent, but unless a con-
certed effort is made by citizens, the
ballots will have only a few scattered
names written in"
The write-ins are provided for in
the new election law for Oakland,
which made it compulsory for candi-
dates to file for office ten days prior
to the election. In previous years car
didates had been chosen in loose
manner at citizens meeting with the
result that many times persons were
nominated who had not previously
thought of being candidates.
Just prior to the deadline last Fri
day afternoon at four o'clock William
R. Browning was at the City Hall and
requested filing paper, when it was
found that he had failed to register,
hence was disqualified as candidate,
although he is taxpayer.
Registration of voters was required
in Oakland for the first time this year
by an act passed by the recent Legis-
lature. The law states that only quail
fled voters may become candidates, and
as Mr.. Browning failed to register at
any of the three registration days pro-
vided, he was declared ineligible.
One important matter before Coun-
Gil at this time is the Community
Building project, which is expected to
get under way this spring.
Hold-over members of Council are
Emroy Bolden, Delbert Davis and DR..
E. l. Baumgartner.
The polls for the election will be
open from 900 o'clock a. m. until 600
o'clock p. m. on Monday, March IL,
and only registered voters of the town
will be permitted to vote.