Anything to Beat Stretch: The Whole County Ticket, Man by Man

Benj. Stretch is the Republican and B. Blackman the Democratic candidate for sheriff.

Mr. Stretch is a native of the Eastern States. In early life he followed the sea; was in ships, off and on, and a whaler for a number of years. Came to this county in 1864. Has been sheriff for the past eight years. Has a ranch some five miles up river, does a great deal of business freighting hay on his scow to loggers from up river, is part owner of the Merle and owner of a pile driver, and has done much the past season to help the trade of the river in driving piles for wharves there. He is a man of strong will, good business judgment, and an excellent political manager. He always commands so strong a political support that many of his friends claim it is impossible to beat Stretch, while his enemies frequently repeat the words, "anything to beat Stretch." His having held the office so long is proof enough that he is a competent officer.

His opponent, B. Blackman, was born at Bradley, Maine, in 1847. Has been in business with his brothers in that State. In 1868 graduated at Stevens' Wells' business college at New Haven, Conn. Came to this country four years ago. In charge of the firm of Blackman Bros., enterprising loggers of this place. Is a very active, earnest, hard-working man, an excellent penman, a thorough business man, of liberal education, progressive ideas, and one well qualified to fill any office in the county. Will command a strong support, and is a worthy opponent of Mr. Stretch. He always was a Democrat.

John Swett is the candidate for Auditor on both tickets. We have previously expressed ourselves about him. He is politically a Democrat.

H. D. Morgan is the Republican and J. N. Low the Democratic candidate for Probate Judge. Both are good men, well known up Sound. Mr. M. is the father-in-law of E. C. Ferguson and the father of J. D. Morgan, the Republican candidate for Co. Treasurer. He has been Indian agent and in other public positions. Would make a good Probate Judge. Mr. Low has lived in the country many years. He is an active worker for everything likely to assist in the social or moral progress of the community, has filled a number of public positions, been Justice of the Peace for several years in this place, and has given considerable attention to legal business, which would assist him greatly in performing the duties of this office if elected.

J. D. Morgan, the Republican, and T. F. Marks, the Democratic candidate for Treasurer, are well known here, Mr. Marks having filled the office for the past two years and being one of the earliest settlers in the country; Mr. Morgan having been for the past four years the popular salesman in Mr. Ferguson's store.

The Republican candidates for County Commissioners are J. H. Irvine of the Stillaguamish, and L. H. Witter and J. Wight of this valley. Mr. Irvine was born in Ireland in 1826, raised in Noble County, Ohio, came to California in 1849, and has owned a ranch within six miles of Snohomish. Was at the Cariboo mines two summers, lived continually on the Sound since, is a miner and rancher by occupation, hired on the Stillaguamish river as a logger up river until about two years ago, when he moved to his present place near Centerville. He is one of the finest men in the county; is said to be well informed upon subjects of a public nature. Messrs. Wight and Witter are both original thinkers, pioneers and live men, as well as liberal, progressive, go-ahead men. Mr. Wight is a native of Maine, has been a logger for a number of years in this county and a member of the last Board of County Commissioners. He makes a good Commissioner. Mr. Witter is also an eloquent and graceful writer, a mechanical genius — one who does not desire official position but will creditably fill any position he may be placed in. He is a native of Kentucky, has been a Union soldier, has lived in Missouri, Texas and Arkansas before coming here, and has lived here about four years. Is a partner of the firm of Bennett & Witter, who are building a mill on Pilchuck.

The Democratic candidates are Wm. Whitfield, Chas. Harrison and R. R. Hancock. Mr. Whitfield has lived in the country a long time. Has always borne an excellent reputation as a workman and a man. Is supposed to be well qualified, stands a good chance of election, and if elected we expect will make a good commissioner. Mr. Harrison is the representative man of the Snoqualmie valley, has filled many public positions creditably, will probably be elected. Has been a member of the Legislature, also County Commissioner, we believe several times. Has always given excellent satisfaction as a commissioner. By occupation he is a farmer. Mr. Hancock resides on the Stillaguamish. Has been in the Territory quite a long time. Has a ranch partly on the flats and partly on highland adjoining. He is cautious and reserved in his actions, possessed of considerable local influence, not a seeker for the office, nor one inclined to do anything rashly. The interests of the county would not be rashly endangered in his hands.

The candidates for School Supt. are Hugh Ross and J. Town. Mr. Ross, the Republican candidate, has lived on the river since 1864. Has been log-runner, running most of the logs cut on the river since that time. Has filled a number of public positions, been Coroner for the past four years. Is too well known to need further notice; would take pride in performing the duties of his office. His opponent, Mr. Town, is a thorough Democrat, farmer and school-teacher; would feel it to be a matter of duty to devote his attention chiefly to the office and perform all of its duties according to the best of his ability. J. T. Cotton, the Democratic candidate for County Surveyor, is an old soldier, a hard-working, thorough-going farmer, and much of a gentleman. He is now draining and improving a claim on the Big Marsh, some few miles from town. Has no competitor. Dr. A. C. Folsom is too well known to need comment from us. He is the candidate of both parties for Coroner. Is now Co. Supt. of Schools. His qualities as surgeon, physician and lecturer are well known over the whole coast. We have done more literary and other mental work with him than with any other man. Increased acquaintance has only resulted in increased respect for his literary and scientific attainments, and increased friendship for him as a true gentlemanly friend and companion.