The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1954-02-04
REPUBLICANS FIGHT ON

The Republicans of the entire 18th congressional dis
trlct including Noble county, embroed political
that will probably have dsaserous results the polls
in the May primary and the general election next November
Noble Counans are of course familiar with the Fred
j. Nethers ntraparty fight Muskingum county, which
has by this time involved the entire district
Nethers last week resigned chairman of the Musk
ingum county Republican executive committee but intends
to continue his to retain the post of state central
committeeman from this district.
1t would be surprising Nethers the grade
this office since his opposition Vincent B. Linn also of
Zanesville is relatively unknown outside Nlskingum
county However neither has received the endorsement
of Republican leaders in this district
Like the other counties local Republicans have decln-
ed to make any endorsement.
This probably due the fact that bitter fight is
also being waged in this county by the Republicans and
understood that than 100 petitions for central
mteeman in the "a precincts have been taken They
may not all be filed but there should be fight in just about
Many months ago, the outside" Republican faction met
and named John b McFerren of Brookfied township as
chairman of the executive committee replacing Ed Leasure
this capacity. The legality of such not
questioned by the party of the first part except for the
The so-called executive committee met endorsed
Clark Aheron of MackSburg for the post member
of the Noble county election board
But the opposing faction, headed by Ed Leasure had
other ideas and for political they wanted Nose
Horton of Stock township retained member of the
board He filling out the unexpired term of Edward F.
The McFerren headed committee sent the Atherton
recommendation Secretary of State Ted W. Brown but
this is where they received their reversal
Bear in mind that the Leasure faction had endorsed
Nose Horton to succeed himself
In regard to the Atherton appointment, Secretary
Brown the following letter all members of the
Republican committee which says in effect that Horton and
Atherton will be the member of the board of cleo
tons
Recently received a recommendation for
appointment to the Board of Elections from Noble county
"It is not within my jurisdiction to question the
sincerity of this recommendation However, the legality of
the recommendations is not conformity with the statutes
of the state of Ohio governing such action.
"I necessary that the executive committee meet and
make such recommendation, which is then to be signed by
the chairman of the executive committee and the secretary
of
Inasmuch your original organization set forth Mr..
Ed Leasure chairman and delegated other members Of
central committee members of the executive
committee and nasmuch there provision the law
permit reorganization in the md-term it will be impos-
sible for accept other recommendation than that
which is made possible by law.
"In the there is question to recognition Of
any committee the Republican State Central and Executive
committee must. determine the recognized"
This written opinion of Secretary Brown that
the Ed LeaSure forces in the Republican party of Noble
county still top for the time being and that Nose
Horton will continue to member Of the board OF
election He will take his duties in March, along with
Clarence Smitberger Democrat who endorsed for his
second term.
All Of this of leads up to the forthcoming bitter
in the May primary when control of the executive
committee will be determined by the newly elected central
committeeman in every of the "a precincts
If the LeaSures forces out top he will continue
control the Republican party in this county He recev
ing support of the old guard Republicans who have held
the power in this county for several years.
Should he lose then "Mr Republican" should come
into his own