The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1954-07-15

"Secrest returned 1916 and defeated the Republican
Secest and the late Gov George White have been the only
Democrats elected to Congress from the 18th district since
shortly after the Civil War"
Carl Ebright political writer for The Columbus Dispatch
wrote Sunday that the Democrats this district seeking
nonpartisan to replace Bob Secrest the ballot this
coming November He has the following say concerning
Senecavlle
Fifteenth District Democrats seeking successor to
Congressman Robert SecreSt the November ballot are
faced with quite problem
In short, they searching for Democrat with the
eaie ana Votegettlg aolny among Repuolcars
and Independents as Secrest who resigned candidate
to accept appointment the Federal Trade Commission
Obviously, that is quite order
Since the Civil War; Secres and the late George White
OF Marietta, former Ohio governor, have been the only
Democrats elected to Congress from the 18th District which
is normally eight to five Republican
Even te-getter like Governor LauSche couldn't win
single one of Secress counties in 1850 Secrest them
all = Guernsey, Monroe Morgan, Muskngum Noble, Perry
and Washington.
In 1882 Lausche carried Secrests district by 100 votes
Secrest topped President Eisenhower by nearly 5000
was 27,959
The congressmans impressive record at the polls has
convinced 18th District Democrats they win the election
this fall they get candidate with Secress non-partisan
viewpoint AS one leader put it:
The secret of Secrests success that he was not
closely identified with political organization and treated
Democrats and Republicans alike"
Just week ago. when he in Columbus to address
the annual encampmen of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
SecreSt told this reporter:
81 served my district eight terms in Congress and
during that time never asked about his politics.
Secrest and looking for "non-parsan oppose the
Republican nominee, John E. Henderson, Cambridge
attorney in November.
Five Democratic attorneys have been mentioned for
the nomination. They are:
Charles D. Fogle, Jr, Marietta four-term state central
committeeman Charles s. LeaSure Zanesvlle former
Der of the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation Nell
O. Underwood Jr. New Lexington Perry county chairman
and son of Federal Judge Nell c. Underwood Howard
Taught Cambridge former Ohio Supreme Court Judge and
Harry e. johnson, Cambridge, former Guernsey county
prosecutor.
Certainly, of those mentioned are non-partisans
But some are not as active in political organization work
others Foge and Underwood for example, important
cogs in the party machinery.
Both LeaSure and Taught considered good congress
Slonal timber but they have indicated reluctance
Taught however, is seeking the state representative post
from Guernsey county
Thurman R. Hazard, Cambridge state superintendent
OF banks approached Friday but declined offers be
the candidate He said he thought he could be elected
didn't want to give up his present position.
AT the moment johnson appears to be the dark horse
candidate and there several things in his favor accord
ing to some OF the district leaders.
First Johnson is anxious to for Congress- Second
he resides in the COP hometown and third he
defeated Henderson for prosecuting attorney
sey county Johnson edged Henderson by votes in
Henderson, however, has represented the county for
the past two terms IN the General Assembly and was
nominated in the primary without opposition for Congress
But regardless of the Democratic choice Republican
John Henderson figures his congressional campaign
the federal post.
His feeling is that the Democrats can't possibly select
candidate formidable Secrest
Henderson hopes, however, that the Democratic nominee
is named soon SO he give direction" to his
campaign
Its impossible to plan campaign strategy until you
know who your opponent going to be-" he declared