The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-27
The "Ring'' Force COlvin Out Of
Sheriff Race.
They viii Throw Their Support
to Belts.
THE FEAR OF DEFEAT.
ssLiberals' Can Not Afford to
Sacrifice This Office.
Wilkerson Is the Man They
Want to Defeat.

To maintain control of the sherif's
office. the liberal element is making
plans whereby Rome Colvin is to be
withdrawn from the race for the Re
publican nomination in favor of G.
W. Belts
An insistent rumor has been on the
streets ever since last Friday when
Senator J. B. Belts. brother Of G. w.
Belts. arrived in Topeka and took a
hand in the big three-cornered fight.
that Colvln would get out very
shortly.
"A rumor is being wideIy circuIat-
ed" was said to Mr.. Colvin this morn
ing. that you are going to Withdraw
Yes he replied
What is there to it2''
Nothing yet" he replied.
was asked.
IL, well. he replied. nothing has
Have any steps been taken towards
| getting you out Of the race ?" he was
asked.
Well he replied slowly. some of
my friends have talked over the mat
did they advise anything?v was
on" he answered. they suggest
/ What did you say to them? ?"
7 have not considered the matter
yet" he replied.
"Will you?"
Yes" he answered.
When ?" was asked
piled.
DO you know what will be done?"
know all right
If you dc get out was asked. will
your strength go to Betts?"
I should think So he said. yes
6. w Belts, his opponent, and the
man with whom he is expected to form
| a coalition was asked about the pro-
/ posed combination
Il know nothing about 1t, he replied.
Have you heard anything Of the
Yes. ne replied, "I have heard It Tor
/ some time. in fact ever since my brother
Senator J. 3. Belts got back Into town.
He arrived last Friday
What has he done2"
Il don't know was the answer.
Has he been busy?" was asked.
/ Yes, was the reply, che has been
very, very busy. But I don't know
| what he has accomplished Things look
| good to me. But cannot tell you any
| hing sbOut Colvin's proposed with
| drawal''
Senator Belts is not In the city and
could not be asked about the matter.
/ He has been out Of the city for the
major share of this campaign looking
after a government building contract
in Arizona. It was expected that upon
! his return he would make the fur fly.
and he has done so. His influence is in
the main charged with being RESPONSE
bic for Colvin's withdrawal in case the
latter does so. He has a big strength
and following in Shawnee county and
| Wields lots of influence. That he would
swing the big stick upon his arrival
was looked for.
One Of Colvin's main supporters. who
| a sked tC have his name held out, stated
! this morning that there was great deal
Of talk about GOWN Withdrawing, and
especially recently since Senator Belts
| arrival II have nothing to say about
the matter however" he said BY the
way of comment
| Belts and his friends have felt pretty
"sore'' ever since he was turned down
| BY the crowd which he has been train
/ ing with for a number of years. An
/ effort was made to force him OF the
/ track. but he stuck to his post and his
/ friends stuck to him It was admitted
/ that Colvin and Belts would divide the
liberal and ''ring" vote. Then John
/ Wilkerson jumped into the race Sew
/ eraI others were in but all have with
drawn With Belts and Colvin cutting
/ the liberal strength in two, it Is feared
4 that Wilkerson may get the piufFl me
! new arrangement, it is well understood,
/ is being made to central1ze al the
/ strength on one man. If Coivin with
4 draws it will give the race an alto
! gether different complexion.
The Curtis contest also enters in the
/ complication. Mr.. Colvin is a brother
in-law of Congressman Charles Curtis
/ and it is feared that his candidacy may
| injure Curtis.
CoIVin Is Out.
Later-The following notice was
brought to the State Journal Office late
To To the Republicans Of Shawnee
County:
It being apparent that the mutual
friends of Mr.. Belts and myself were
/ becoming embarrassed in the contest
for the nomination for sheriff We left
| the matter to a few Of our friends to
decide which Of US should withdraw.
The dollar was tossed and I lost In
Withdrawing 1 thank my friends most
i sincerely for their earnest support
ROME COLVIN,
North Topeka KaR-