Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-04-15
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE,

whv a Dakota Editor Gratefully, But
ment.
A friend came to US recently and
asked if we would accept the nomina-
ton for justice of the peace if it was
rendered. We felt flattered and have
taken up more room on the sidewalk
SINCE. We saw that we were appre-
ciated, but nevertheless felt called
upon to refuse because we really had
no suitable place to keep the nomina-
ton and knew we could not get it any
way.
We were never drawn into the whirl
of political excitement but once. A
year ago last fall during a long and
particularly vigorous campaign we
were found mixing in the hottest of
the fight with our name on the ticket
for one of the important offices. 1t
was the position of coroner. Some
time before election 4 few warm
friends ably seconded by some of our
worst enemies placed our name on
about two thirds of the tickets, vita
fatal results.
The canvass made against us was re-
markable for bitterness. no money or
means being spared to bring about our
defeat. While we stood here in the
office at the ghostly hour of midnight
setting up solid BREWER editorials on
the situation our opponent tramped
around his open barrel with wide
shingle shoveling out great piles of
coin. Our past record was raked up
and truths told about us which we new
er supposed any one in this part of the
country knew. All to no avail, how
ever, as we had the unspeakable pleas
ure of showing our inscriptions OPP
pOnent under to the tune of fOrty-five
majority.
As the smoke OF battle drifted away
we began to look up the pay good
all-around coroner who was not afraid
to work up business usually got. We
found that, the coroner was paid wholly
by fees. that he could expect nothing
from heartless Government until he
should sit on a case aud bring in YER
dict that ''we find the deceased came
to his death from causes unknown to
this jury" Then we turned hungrily
and expectantly to the records. There
we found that although the county had
been organized several years death
had never yet occurred in it. This was
disconraging.
A glance at the future was equally
disheartcning. AS far as we could see
there was not man in the county
with any thing about him to Indicate
that he would crawl off in some shady
spot and die alone. or even that he
would playfully pump his neighbor full
of lead. The community appeared to
be against the honest, hard-w orking
coroner.
When we saw how matters stood we
went before the Board of County Com
missioncrs and said: Gentlemen,
there seems to be no encouragement
for the coroner, no kind word for him.
there is nothing to stimulate a young
and ambitious coroner anxious to rise
in the world and sit on member of
the Legislature or circuit Judge, moth
ing to lead him to believe that his eff
forts are appreciated, therefore you
may have our resignation if you want
it," The head commissioner said that
while they had no personal use for it
that nevertheless they would take it.
So we passed it over and they appoint
ed the rival we had buried SO deeply at
the polls.
Since this experience we have rather
summed than sought political prefer
ment, we have been content to rub our
fingers over piece of chalk and stand
at the case setting up local items by ear
and deep-laid editorials with only
suggestion of copy plated on the blank
side Of wrapper snatched ruthlessly
from the person of quarto exchange.
Cd. T.) Bell.