Pike County Press

TO THE VOTERS OF PIKE COUNTY

Now that the clouds of battle have cleared away and but a few remains of the shattered are left, I wish to reiterate what I have tried to emphasize "That the day of bosses and bossism is about over" and the voters of Pike County are rapidly learning, that the word "Democrat" and the word "Republican," can do them no good in local politics standing alone, but, with someone behind to do the work, and do it honestly, much good can be accomplished.

To my friends, and you are still in the majority, drawn from both great political parties, I wish to thank you for your continued confidence in me and I will endeavor to my utmost to keep my faith with you.

To those who opposed me honestly I can say that you are entitled to your opinion as am I, we both may be right, we both may be wrong, but we are honest in our opposition and glory in your fair fight.

To those who opposed me dishonestly by circulating malicious falsehoods to catch the unthinking vote and by their zealousness to win at all hazards regardless of the truth, I feel a contempt, for I always hated a liar and an unfair man and an election story that isn't worth appearing in print against a political opponent is not worthy of belief, and as none of such stories were printed, they are without foundation.

Had such stories been true, my opponent was too shrewd a man to let such an opportunity go by, as the truth would have been presented and which I could not have denied publicly, consequently they were no "grist" of my opponent personally.

Clean politics I have always played and always will, for if I cannot win by honest and clean methods, I don't want the job and I know Mr. Adams is that kind of a man too.

Primarily, I fully expected to be defeated on account of the Keystone Ticket, which as the returns show drew 192 votes from me, these I claim were voters of the most independent type who two years ago, when the issue was strictly drawn between the two great political parties, supported me.

Then too, with the other tickets, the returns show an additional loss of 26 votes, aggregating to me a total loss of 218 votes, which if added to my majority of 38, would have given me a comfortable total of 256.

It is apparent then, that had there been no Keystone party this year, with a majority of 38 in a total vote of 1499 and had the line been drawn strictly as it was two years ago when I received a majority of 322 out of 1704 votes polled that these 256 independents would have supported me and had the vote not fallen off this year over 200 from two years ago, my majority this year would have exceeded that of two years ago.

The result, therefore, is very gratifying to me, for I am confident from the above figures, that the voters are thinking each year more and more, "To whom they will sell their potatoes."

This year too, I was opposed by a man, new to the political field, a sturdy, thrifty, energetic young man, who is clean of character and who personally fought a clean fight and to him I extend the hand of good fellowship and say in all sincerity that he was a "Bully" good antagonist and I admire his personal qualities.

No man should play the game and expect to win always, and I would have been as good a loser, as a winner.

I have made you certain promises; I have pledged you no results; but only that I would make the effort and I will do my best to fulfill them.

If there is any individual who has any suggestions to make, as to laws that should be corrected or new legislation to be enacted, your Representative elected to represent you, I shall always be glad to hear from him, and am ready for orders.

Out of a three weeks trip through the county, with but two exceptions, (and they because I was a Republican) my political friends and opponents treated me as one of their invited guests and in good fellowship.

It was the first vacation I had had in two years and I look back on those three weeks with a great deal of pleasure and shall recall the many old acquaintances I renewed, as well as the many new one I formed.

Very truly yours,

ALFRED MARVIN