Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 223, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1913 — BABCOCK FOUND OUT WHERE HE STANDS [ARTICLE]

BABCOCK FOUND OUT WHERE HE STANDS

Demanded Resignation of McFarland as City Chairman and Then Faded Completely Away. The democrats had a splendid convention Wednesday night in the east court room, it being reported that 65 participated in the meeting. The occasion for the large crotvd was the fact it looked like there might be a test of strength between J. A. McFarland, the candidate of the progressive wing for city chairman, and the Babcock forces, representing the retrogressive and the recent lost postoffice faction. Both had made strenuous efforts to get out a large number of the voters. The retrogressive, however, were in the minority to such an extent that their effort to forestall the selection of Mr. McFarland was so feeble that they could not even get anyone to make the racj. The Babcock forces placed Attorney Arthur Tuteuj in nomination but he promptly declined. They then offered two or three other names with the same result, even naming O. K. Rainier, who was solidly aligned with the McFarland-Littlefield postoffice organization. All resigned, and finally, having exhausted every possible hope, the selection of Mr. McFarland was made unanimous. Unanimous, did we say, well/substantially so, although there was one little dissenting voice, the remnant of the “ninety per cent” of which he had so recently boasted. The remnant was F. E. Babcock, comic supplement editor. In order to make his humiliation complete, Mr. McFarland took the floor and stated that if there was any democrat who could not work harmoniously with him for democratic success he would be pleased to get out of the way. It was a neat little trap, and the taxpayers’ friend, the 30 per cent idol of his own profuse praise, at once took the floor. He said that as the editor of the democratic organ of the city he could not work in harmony with Mr. McFarland and demanded that McFarland tender his resignation. Mr. McFarland said that his offer to get out of the way was conditioned that the objector be of-substantial democratic standing, and Babcock faded away with the remark, “I won’t let you read me out of the party.” W. H. Barkley was elected secretary and ,C. W. Duvall treasurer of the city organization. The precinct committeemen were then chosen as follows: First ward, F. E. Babcock. Second ward, John Eigelsbach. Third ward, Lou Welsh. Active plans are being made for the coming city campaign and the convention to nominate a city ticket will be held Wednesday evening, Oct. Ist, at 7:30 o’clock in the east court room.