Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-17
JUDGE f. l.. SCARRITT TO WITH
DRAW FROM POLITICS.
LIFE AMBITION NOT GRATIFIED.
HOPED TO OCCUPY A SEAT ON THE
SUPREME BENCH
Frank T.. Sebre Will ProbabI BE a
Candidate 10 Succeed Mr.. Scarritt
IN Circuit Court
liticaI Meetings and
Political Gossip.

Intimate friends of Judge z. L. Scarritt
yesterday made public the announcement
that he would not be a candidate for re-
election TO the position he holds on the
circuit court bench. but would retire from
public life, and also from politics.
Tn announcement caused considerable
comment among the politicians Of the city,
but was generally Endorsed as a wise move.
1t is said that before making up his mind
in the matter Judge Scarritt thoroughly
canvassed the situation with his closest
friends. 1t is no secret that he would have
had a very hard fight to meet had he made
the race. The tremendous anti-Pinkerton
sentiment of the city that was provoked
by the action of Police Commissioners
solidly arrayed against him, and it is ex-
ceedingly doubtful If he would have been
able to overcome it. The sentiment has
been very general that the Democrats
would hesitate a long time before naming
a man against whom so strong and bitter
a battle would be waged.
1t is no secret that for years Judge Scar
the supreme bench of the state. and had
been favorably considered by the politi-
clans of the state who were. willing to
concede something to Kansas City. The
action of his brother as police commission
er. in opening up the Valiins anti-Pinker-
ton war, attracted attention all over the
state, and many of the paper of influence
In the party connected it with Judge Scar
rift, and said 1t disposed or him efectually
as the Democrats would not dare name a
man on the state ticket whose name was
coupled with any such fragrant violation
of the planks of the Chicago platform.
IT Is said these were taken by
Il S@a rts fnr N hut thar- ot,al ond
largely Influenced him in his determination
TO retire from the bench. 1t is said that
he was quite unwilling to perform the ar
duous duties of the bench unless there was
an opening for an advancement later. He
Is wealthy. and would derive a much more
lucrative income from his private practice
than he gets from the benaS and at the
same time be free from oft.Sal strain and
enforced duty.
the sweeping political ruin that had fol-
lowed the Vallins appointment last spring.
II is the one matter that has forced the
dump Police Commissioner Gregory in the
municipal campaign. and 1t is generally
given credit for being the cause of displac.
ambitions. Just how many other victims
it will yet claim is still a matter Of con-
lecture.
In connection with the statement from
the friends OF Judge Scarritt was another
from the friends of Frank 7. Sebree that
III would not be a candidate for nomination
as mayor. but would be an aspirant for
the position on the bench now held by
Judge Scarritt. Whether Mr.. Sebree has
made the statement officially or not, or
whether his friends have made it for him,
is not known. but the rumor was gener-
ally circulated through the city, and quite
as generally accepted as genuine.
There has been some talk of Mr.. Sebree
for judicial honors for two years, and his
name has frequently been mentioned in
connection with the criminal court. The
position on the circuit court bench is much
more desirable, and would be far more In
harmony with his tastes. as all his riends
admit. and they claim with assurance that
he will be the leading candidate for that
place.