The Somerset reporter., 1900-05-17
The County Clerkship.

We publish the following, taken
from an article which appeared In the
Pittsfield Advertiser, last week, relative
to the contest for the office of Clerk of
Codrts, upon request of an interested
party:
at has been conceded by many of the
leading republicans of this county that
the present clerk of courts of Somerset
county, n. w. Brainerd, Esq. who has
hid the Office for nine consecutive
years, and by announcing his candidacy
for another term OF four years, Is asking
too much, and 1t now seems that the
time OF giving a life lease" to some of
our county officials should cease.
Although Mr.. Brainerd comedies the
right of others to aspire for the position
he now holds, he contends that even II he
has enjoyed the emoluments of that Office
for ten years, 1t seems to be matter of
party precedence and justice for him to
again bold 1t for four years more. He
cites the case of Hon. Luther II. Webb,
his predecessor In Office, who served l6
years, as a guide board for the party 10
follow. In this case, Mr. Webb, q man
OF great ability and sound judgment,
coming from town that WAS so situated
as to enjoy but little political benefit, a
valuable man in campaign work, and
whose service in this respect was of an
invaluable nature, coming up as a candi-
date year after year WAS not surprising
as there was no opposition In the field
during his terms. This was case of
party usage when denomination WAS
given year after year for faithful services
when no opposition appeared.
Mr.. Brainerd no doubt has served the
county faithfully and given entire salts
faction. He claims that the best part of
his life has been given to his duties so
that should he not receive the re-nomna-
ton for another term he would be unable
to take up the active duties of any other
line of work.
True-but has he not been sufficiently
well paid by the income of his office so
that he should be well satisfied and not
feel that after accepting the Office for q
long term Of years at the income 1t brings
in, still feel that the county was indebt-
ed to him for services performed which
he had already been paid for.
During the last of Mr.. Webb's term
his health would not permit of his at
tending to all Of the official duties and
they were handled most satisfactorily TO
everyone concerned by William B.
Brown, his deputy, for a year previous
to his resignation. When he resign
Ell on account OF failing health, re-
cognlzing Mr.. Browns ability and faith.
full service, he +, quested Governor Bur.
l'igh to appoint his deputy to succeed
him. Mr.. Brown secured almost the
unanimous support of the Somerset
| county bar and it was reasonable to sup
pose that the office would be continued
under that system inaugurated by Mr..
Webb.
Mr.. Brown is lawyer of ability and
for the past twelve years has put his
shoulder to the wheel and assisted in all
the campaigns for his party, is a native
of Skowhegan, and at present the popu-
lar postmaster at Hartland. He is amply
qualified TO fill the duties of the office
and rs he was candidate for the office
at the beginning of Mr.. Brainerd's pres
ent term, it seems that the party can do
no more than recognize Mr.. Browns
claim to the nomination for the office.
There is growing tendency throughout
the country against "life leasing' any
puI lie office, and ii seems well and fit
ting that it should be practiced in Sols-
erset county as well as in the more i'm
portant and responsible positions of
national consequence