The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-10-28
Something About the Candidates.

/ to detract from Mr.. FredsOn's good
points, hut will say that Mr.. Gunder-
son came to Mason County ten years
ago, with large debt hanging over
him, just as hundreds of others came
West to better their conditions, and
not many of us are much longer resi-
dents. Instead of repudiating the
debt, he taught school in the country
districts at small wages, and saved
his money to pay the debt. Is that a
crime in the eyes of Mason County
voters? AS school superintendent for
the past four years, at salary of about
half what other county officers get, be
finished his Eastern debt, and then
began to buy property here, with what
little of his salary left after paying his
living expenses. Col. Richardson told
the boys at Camp 5 that Henderson
didn't smoke, chew, drink or 60 around
with the boys" which may be crime
in the ColonePs eyes, but it is the first
time we ever heard such a thing urged
against the fitness of a person as leg
islator. Mr.. Gunderson believes that
every man is free moral agent, and
has the right to do as he sees fit.
No man in Mason County, we make
no exception, has done better work for
its upbuilding than Mr.. Gunderson in
his conscientious labor in behalf of its
schools. and it was labor of love
rather than for money. Had he been
SO selfish as they would make it, and
desired only to get bold of all the
money possible to send back East, he
would probably not have failed to col
lect from Mason County nearly 5000
now due him under the law for mileage
in visiting the schools for nearly two
years. We think Mason County's loss
from the Supt's Office is about the least
thing troubling the taxpayers this
year.
Messrs. Covill and Cruson are urged
because they are poor men, and the
former because he is veteran. Mr..
Covill draws pension of 500 month
for what no local G. A. r. man knows
while Octogenarian VIM. Doble, and
number of others who are really objects
OF compassion, can get but So or $l2.
Tom. Daniels, our candidate for COM
missioner, is also veteran, who is 50
crippled with rheumatism that he can
hardly get around, and draws So. Mr..
Covill is also Town clerk, school clerk,
Justice of the Peace, Police Judge and
Registration officer, likewise deputy
auditor, and seems to be pretty we'll
provided for at present, in the way of
salaries. He has been a resident of
Shelton for eight years, but we are not
aware of any property interests. All
Republican candidates are property
holders, except candidate for attorney,
and both are in the same boat.
There is one office in which the
woman is in her sphere and where she
seldom proves failure, school super
intendent Miss Ford has had ten
years experience in teaching, mostly
in Mason County, and everywhere gave
satisfaction. She held down claim
in the far Satsop country until she
proved up on it, and has taught some
OF the distant country schools, It's
funny if she will be unable to visit the
schools OF the county at least once
year. The county roads are pretty
good and Miss Ford rides bike.
We do not agree with the Tribune
that Shelton should have commits
sioner. Shelton has separate gov
eminent, levies and handles it's own
road taxes, and few town people have
business with the county board. If
they do have, delegation of fifty
persons can take the board by storm.
Not so with the country districts.
They are interested and should be rep
resented by farmer every time. Shell
ton gets the most of the offices, best
we can do to scatter them.
All the other candidates are capable
and good men, who deserve every Re-
publican vote in Mason County. Mr..
Eaton's integrity and ability to con-
duct the Office OF treasurer is not cues
toned. and, if elected, he will person
ally attend to it and know that eyerv-
thing is right. No question is raised
to Bert Daniels competency, and he
will perform the work OF surveyor in a
workman-like manner. George Webb
is Mason County boy and deserves
recognition at the hands of it's people.
The position OF county attorney is I'M
portant, as the events of the past term
have shown and man who can he
depended upon to protect the peoples
interests should be elected. Mr.. Br ,ck-
way has had a good law education.
and Is on the right side.