The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-14
Drops His Contest for Sheriff 3
Nomination.
Satisfied That Wilkerson Was
Fairly Nominated.
PLEDGES HIS SUPPORT
Also That of His Brother, the
State Senator.
Committee Will Meet Saturday
to Ratify Nomination.

H. NJ. Philips, Chairman, ana Members
Of the Shawnee County Republican
Central Committee:
Gentlemen=At the meeting Of your
committee Monday. requested q re-
count of the votes for sheriff at the
Republican primary election Saturday,
believing that a large number Of votes
cast for me in some of the precincts
had not been counted for me. have
fully investigated the matter since and
am satisfied now, that while some
errors were made, they are not SUI
ficient to change the result there
fore desire to state to you, that I ac-
quiesce in the result Of the primaries
last Saturday as already announced,
and together with Senator J. B. Belts
and my friends join in ratifying the
nomination Of J. n. Wilkerson for
sheriff. G. w. BETIS-
Topeka, Kan, March IA, 1905.
The above communication was given
out today by G. W Belts, in which he
comedies the nomination Of J. N. WIKI
erson for the Office of sheriff at the
Republican primary held last Satur-
day, endorses him, and withdraws his
request for a recount Of the votes
This action on the part of Mr.. Belts
was taken for the primary reason that
the real Republican leaders, on both
sides of the question decried the idea
Of having a recount, with the possible
charges and cOunterchargeS of fraud
which might follow. A good deal OF
unpleasant odor, it was feared, might
be emitted and the stencil might not
be conducive to a successful result at
the election next fall. To make Demo-
cratic campaign thunder, which might
prove a very dangerous and powerful
factor, was not quite to the liking OF
the general run of candidates who
were nominated last Saturday. 1t was
=
Republican ranks might be generally
disastrous next fail. The Republicans
OF the county, generally are against q
family quarrel, which might result IN
hanging a whole lot of linen on the
wash-line, open to the public gaze
Some things have happened in past
Republican primaries which might not
be good to expose, and an up-roOting
i of these was feared.
Mr.. Belts announces frankly. how
ever, that he made an investigation
into conditions and though he found
a good many places where a recount
would add ia his favor. he did not feel
that enough changes would follow to
swing the nomination to him.
Even though the primary object for
which the county central committee
has been called together to meet for
on next Saturday has now been
! quashed, the committee viii still have
! to assemble to ratify the nomination
of Mr. Wilkerson. A declaration to
this effect must be formally made.
though not absolutely necessary. The
/ Republican leaders think, however,
that Il formal announcement to the
effect that WillSerson is the choice OF
the Republicans of Shawnee county
will do much to aid him in the cleo
/ tion in November.
Belts and his managers refused to
give out any further statement than
/ is contained in their communication
/ W T. Schoch said: I'VE state all We
/ have to say in this letter to the coun-
/ ty central committee. There is Moth
i ing more to give out"
The main rock on which the Belts
forces had planned to make WHker-
son stumble was q claim that in many
! precincts and townships votes had
+ been thrown out which we're for
j Belts, because a voter had marked
i two or more names of candidates for
one other Office. Principally this mis-
take was made with reference to the
Office Of register Of deeds. In one pre-
/ cinct in Topeka, it is claimed. % Belts
votes were thrown out because of this
error. At Silver Lake. it is said, eight
Belts and one WilkersOn vote were
/ thrown out for this cause In Mon
mouth township one Wilkerson voter
marked four names for register of
+ deeds.
The fact OF the matter IS. that the
county central committee has issued
no instructions at any time to the
election boards as to what shall be
4 done in an instance of this kind In
most places the ballots were thrown
/ out, in a few counted. The trouble
/ worked in both directions It is likely
/ that as many VVilkerson votes were
/ thrown out as for Belts for this rea-
/ son. The Belts forces set up no other
specific claims on which they asked
for recount. Whether they had
something up their sIeeves was not
/ divulged, and is effeetuaIly buried to-
day under their withdrawal.