The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-21
HOW HE GOT THE PLACE.
Nominated by Blunder and Grew Rich
on the Fees OF Office.
(From the Denver T'imes.)

VI ipHi the DcuNeT lmoS.)
In the stormy and rlotous and tenn
pestuous days OF I.cadvillc, when for
tunes were made in day and sauan-
dcred In night, the great body OF the
people gave little attention to the selec-
tion of public servants, and the profess
sional politicians held full sway. Coun-
ty, municipal, and township offices were
Sinecures, and tho struggle for posses
sion Of them was confined to the gang
that was In and the gang that wanted
to get in. The Office Of county clerk was
worth to the incumbent from $50. 900 to
100000 pear, sheriff from $25, 900 to $685.
600, and 80 on through the list. The
fees of Justice of the peace exceeded
the salary paid to the governor of the
State, or the Chief Justice of the SUI
preme Court. In view of this fact the
Intensity Of the contest for the plums
may easily be understood. But this will
answer as n preliminary to n story
propose. to tell about a heated contest
for the Republican nomination for jus
ticc of the peace, nomination then be-
ing equivalent to an election. The rival
claimants were DeAIattos. now q resi-
dent OF one OF the sound cities, and
Thomas, the present prosecuting attor-
ney Of Lake county. Each claimed to
have received the nomination Of the con-
vention, and neither showed the slight
cot disposition TO yield TO the other. The
election was approaching, and from 4
party standpoint 1t was deemed essen
tial that their differences should be set
tied, since. II both entered the contest,
the Democrat would carry off the palm.
The contestants finally agreed to leave
the dispute to the county central COM
mittee and abide by It's decision.
The committee held an executive. SEES
sion and after going over the testimony
decided unanimously that Thomas was
entitled to have his name printed on the
party ticket, and that DeMattos had nc
standing whatever. 1t was suggested
however. that in the interest Of harmony
the matter should be taken up in open
session OF the committee. just as if II
had not been considered and determined
in secret, and that when the ballot was
taken two or three members should vote
for DeMattos to show him that It was
not q cut-and-dred AFFAIR. but an newt
able difference Of opinion, likely to occur
at any time, and TO anybody. With this
understanding the doors were thrown
open, the rabbe admitted, and the con-
test OF Thomas VS.. DeAIattos taken up
Ms n new proposition The evidence was
gone over again, a discussion of its
merits followed, and q vote by ballot
ordered. To the Amusement and chag-
Tin Of the chairman and tcllers and all
of the members of the committee every
vote cast bore the name Of DeMattos.
Each had Remembered the agreement
that few votes should be cast for him
ad each thought the others might forget
TO do 1t. and the consequecc was that
the man really entitled to the nominn-
ton did not get a single vote. The
cause Of the miscarriage OF justice was
OF course, instantly understood by all
DO NlNl 80 l~1 .t4A-
was too late toScctify the bunder with
out causing hopeless breach in the
party ranks, and so the decision was al
lowed to stand. DeMattos ran, was
elected, qualified and filed out his term
or Office. growing rich from the fnns