The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-11-16
POLITICAL PRESTIGE INCREASES

The political prestige Congressman Robert T. Secrest
again the upswng after his terrific showing in Tues
days election against Holland M Gary, of GAINESVILLE
TO gauge the vote-pullng strength of Bob Secres it
will be necessary consider the fact that Gov Frank J.
Lausche the who held top spot on the Democratic
ticket did not single county in the 18th district
It IS conceded that Lausche is popular candidate
among Republicans and needless to well ahead
of other members of his party the ticket yet he
wasn't able to crack the solid Republican wall in the
counties of this district which he lost by 0987 votes
Joe Ferguson, the state auditor, whose eyes op-
ened when the returns started rolling Tuesday night
lost in the district by 1852 votes.
Yet Bob Secrest, Democrat from Senecavile wealth
cred Republican trend carried this rocribbed Re-
publican district by recordbreaking 1855 majority
1t is expected the upstate politicians the Democratic
party will think this before they casting about for
governorsp candidate in 1852 assuming that Governor
Lausche will try for something else by that time
Secrest has been mentioned many times for governor
and is generally agreed that he in line shot at
the states top office at the time his political
terrupted by the in 1912
He lost another opportunity to move up step on the
ute to appoint James Huffman rather than Secres
s. Senate vacancy caused BY the elevation of Harold H
Burton to the U. S. Supreme Court
Lausche known to be the verge of giving the
job to Secrest then of his famous asmnue changes
of mind, decided upon Huffman.
1t is generally acknowledged that Secrest would have
been much better votegeer than Huffman in the subse-
quen election and although it doubtful he could have
beaten John w Brcker in 1916 he would doubt have
given the ex-governor for his money and established
himself firmly in the state political picture.
Now he has to come back the hard way fighting los
inc back strong in 1948 to defeat P W. Griffith bv
than 10000 votes This wear his one-sded victory over
Holland NJ Gary, of GAINESVILLE, stamps him
the political figure to be watched in Ohio
Secrest every precinct in Monroe county and all
except in his home county of Noble The only precinct
he ost-and by bare three votes-was Whgvle small
but nevertheless rock-ribbed Republican community.
Secrest carried precinct in Woodsfied by the un-
beievabe vote of 228 to 29 almost to He swept the
county by than 3 to T.
1t generally agreed that the offce-type ballot
used in Ohio and Noble county for the first time of
considerable help Senator Taft the Republican side
and Gov. Lausche the Democratic.
In this district, it acknowledged to be helpful to
Rep. Secrest
The office-type ballot benefits any candidate with
strong personal following because it makes it easier
scratch your ticket 1t also eliminates the temptation for
longtime Republican Democrat to "vote er straight
This generally considered to be good thing because
encourages to give thought to individual candi-
each office 1t also encourages oceholder to
think himself rather than display blind loyalty to the
party bosses.
There is no question but what voters, Democrats and
Republicans alike supported Taft Lausche and SecreSt
this county The swing here to Taft and Secres with
Ebright receiving the nod in Noble county.
The election the county level also showed quite
plainly that the taxpayers here like the business in
which Auditor Jack Wilson is conducting this office He
was high the ticket in the county with total of
285 compared to 2002 for his opponent This gave
him comfortable lead of 1888 votes.
In the other Offices Commissioner W. c. Toad Davis
barely noSed his opponent by % votes and State Rep
resentave George c. Phipo had lead of 753 votes 1t
must be remembered however, this threeway fight
1t was said that the ballot would be slow in count
ing the returns of the election would not be known
until early Wednesday morning
But exactly one hour after the polls closed, Whgvle
precinct reported in and midnight there only two
precincts yet to report.
In this county, we'll the entire state the voters in
dcated thew are still able make up their minds and
will not tolerate selfish outside interests.