Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1908 — SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS IN A BIG SURPRISE [ARTICLE]

SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS IN A BIG SURPRISE

Abraham Halleck Defeated for State Senator by Algie T. Law by Small Vote.

The election Thursday for the purpose of electing tr* state senator to succeed Dr. McCain, of Kentland, who resigned to take the postmastership there, resulted in the election of Algie J. Law, of Newton county, the democratic candidate, by a majority of about thirty. Abraham Halleck, of Rensselaer, the republican candidate, carried White and, Starke counties and Law Jasper and Newton counties. Unofficial returns give Halleck Starke county by 6 majority and White, county by 186. Law cart-led Newton county by 162 and Jasper county by 66. All the townships of Jasper county had been canvassed up till noon except Kankakee, Trustee Stalbaum not having arrived at that hour with the toll sheets. A few minutes later he appeared, however, and the canvass was completed, which showed Law t 9 have a majority of 66. The official vote follows: Law Halleck Barkley, East 46 40 Barkley, West . . . , 71 30 Carpenter, East .... 71 67 Carpenter, South .... 44 56 Carpenter, west .... 46 47 Glllam ...... 41 85 Hanging Grove .... 2*B 41 Jordan 68 30 Kankakee 38 27 Keener 20 84 Marlon, Ist .... 91 104 Marion, 2nd .... . 138 76 Marion, 3rd .... 64 67 Marlon, 4th .... 74 72 MUroy 19 14 Newton 67 64 Union, North 62 42 Union, South .... 60 59 Walker 58 46 Wheatfleld 74 73 Total .... . . jUIB 1052 Law’s majority ... 66 As will be seen by the vote Mr. Halleck only carried two townships In the county, Keener (bis old township) and Hanging Grove. A very light vote was cast, the vote falling about seven hundred short of two years ago. Had the full vote been cast Mr. Halleck would have been elected. Hlb defeat was no doubt due to other Gum personal reasons. The liberal element of the republican party took advantage of the special election to register their views on the liquor question as set forth In ths two platforms. Others felt that a rebuke was due Gov. Haaly

for ealling a special session of the legislature and still others thought it would be a good time to air any “grouch” that they might have by voting for the democratic candidate. Mr. Halleck now has his fighting ; clothes on and expects to-get out and work from now on until the November election, when he thinks there will be a different story recorded by j the ballots. interest In the state centered In the contest in Delaware county, where G. Cowing, republican, defeated Otto Williamson, democrat, by a majority of 272. The election was to fill the seat of Oliver Carmichael, republican representative who resigned. No Buch election was ever held in Delaware county. Hundreds of republicans voted for Williamson, while a lesser number of democrats arrayed themselves against the liquor forces. The anti-saloon forces say they are gratified over the showing, as it was known Muncie has a large number of liberal voters. The precincts in which it was conceded the liquor forces would be successful had their full vote out, while the anti-liquor precincts showed only 60 to 80 per cent of the total vote cast. The notorious precinct of the city, notably the red light district, went heavily for Williamson. Here the vote was 319 for Williamson, against 130 for Cowing. Center township, which Is the only “wet” township In Delaware county, went for Williamson by a majority of 767* votes. ' L. D. Boyd, republican, was elected to succeed the late Senator John C. Farber, from Clinton and Carroll counties. He had no opposition. in other elections light votes wers cast, for In some instances there was no opposition to the nominees. The vacancy in the senate caused by the death of John Dense, democrat, from Crawford, Perry and Dubois counties, will In all probability be filled by Samuel Bense, son of tbs lats senator. In Dubois county alone Bense won over his democratic opponent by a plurality of 1,589 votes. The district is strongly democratic. In Laporte county John B. Faulkner, democrat, was elected to succeed himself In the house, without opposition. Henry Demberger, democrat, was chosen to succeed Frank N. Wads, resigned, as representative from Posey county.