The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-12
COUNTY CAMPAIGNERS
A Review of the Field Before To-
morrow's Primaries
HOW THE CANDIDATES STAND.

Tomorrow afternoon is the time set Tor
the Republican primaries for the selec-
ton of candidates for sheriff. coroner,
treasurer. clerk, register of deeds, county
superintendent and surveyor. Polls will
be open from 2 p. m. till 7 p m. and
known Republicans will have chance
under the Crawford county system and
the Australian ballot to express their
choice of candidates for the half dozen
county Offices to be filed next fall.
There are no candidates against County
Clerk Charles T. McCabe, Treasurer
Frank n. Stahl and Register of Deeds
Frank Brooks. The other Offices are
contested and the main fight at the pri-
mary election is over the nomination for
sheriff, which is conceded to be the most
desirable place within the gift OF the
county.
There are four candidates for sheriff.
David n. Burdge asks for the customary
second term granted a faithful officer;
Riley Ayres, from near Silver Lake is
making a hard fight, and George H
Evans and Dan Wyatt have followings
of considerable strength. Each of the
candidates have made long and persis-
tent canvass Mr.. Burdge, the present
sheriff, will probably be nominated, or at
least he appears at this time to be in the
lead. MIR. Burdge argues that he has
had only one term, that two are custom
airy, and that no charges of any sort re-
fiecting on the integrity or efficiency of
his Office have been advanced.
Riley Ayres has been a candidate
against Burdge since the campaign first
opened. He is a well-to-do and popular
farmer, has grown up in Shawnee coun-
ty and expects to sweep the country pre-
cincts. His strength in the city is an
unknown quantity, and one which keeps
the politicians guessing. For the past
few weeks Ayres has spent much of his
time on Kansas avenue hustling among
his friends and working for new ones.
The count only will reveal Ayres' real
strength.
1t is estimated that George Evans will
be an important factor in the fight. Since
he has been in Topeka he is said to
have given employment to more men
than any person in the county. He says
he has always paid union wages and
doesn't owe a workman a cent. He
counts largely on the labor vote and the
colored vote to pull him through. The
followers of Riley Ayres claim that
Evans is running in the interest of
Burdge, in order to catch the colored
vote that would go to Ayres. They say
also that the venture will prove a two
edged sword. as Evans will draw as
largely from Burdge's strength as Ayres'.
Both Mr. Evans and his workers deny
with much vigor that he is q candidate
in the interest of anyone except himself
and the PEG pie. Il am in the race to
win" Mr.. Evans says, land what's more
will win"
Last but not least, in the array of can =
didates for sheriff is Colonel Dan Wyatt,
an old soldier, who has lived in Topeka
nearly quarter of a century. He boasts
that he was never a candidate for any
thing before. He has had experience as
deputy United States marshal that would
fit him for the place. He feels sure of
viable following of staunch personal
friends. The Wyatt sisters, who have SO
freely given their talent as singers at
public entertainments, have added
greatly to the popularity of this family
A political worker who is we'll known
for his ability to see how elections are
going and then getting on the
right side, said to JOURNAL
reporter regarding the fight for sheriff.
"a few months ago was against Burdge
but now I'm for him because | see there
isn't any show to beat him. 1t has been
said that Burdge can't get the colored
vote for the part he took in the Novels
case. Possibly Burdge couldn't get it
alone, but l'll tell you what's a fact The
man who can do more towards getting
the colored vote than anyone else is
Charley McCabs. He knows them all
by name and they all say 'Marse Charley
is our friend It is fact that the col
ored men will do more for Charley Nc
Cabe than anyone else. Charley is work
ing for Dave Burdge and know Burdge
is sure Of more than his share of the col
ored vote.
81 hear 1t claimed that when the votes
are counted Burdge won't know be was
running out in the country. That's all
wrong. Burdge has got lots of friends
out in the country, and they are the kind
that count Burdge's friends are the
kind who hitch up their horses and go
from farm to farm and work for him. I
tell you it's no use to talk about beating
Burdge; he's got it cinched"
For surveyor there are only two candi-
dates, the present incumbent, B. A Bal
ley and John P. Rodgers, ex-assistant
city engineer.
County Superintendent Wright is not a
candidate for re- election, and the race is
between J. W. Stout and Will Van Ors-
DIAL They are both we'll known educa-
tors in Shawnee county.
VIII VanorsdaI was born in Iowa and
came to Kansas in 1859, mere child.
He has lived in Shawnee county ever
since. He is graduate of the teachers
course of Campbell university at Holton.
Kan Mr.. Vanorsdal has taught nine
years with marked success, having taught
the entire time in only three different
schools and having boarded the entire
time at his fathers home. The last two
years he has been principal of the Silver
Lake school
J. ". Stout is one of the popular teach
ers OF the county. He has always been
an active Republican worker and is an
estimabIe gentleman well qualified for
superintendent.
The fight for coroner is between DIR.
Bailey, who has held the Office several
terms, and DR.. Westerfisld of the Fifth
ward, who is at present member of the
board of education.
DR.. Bailey is a popular gentleman and
aba nhzaieian L. =. - -