The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-26
PROBATE JUDGE CONTEST.
An Open Letter From Judge Huron on
the situation.

The following is an open letter
from Geo. A. Huron, candidate for the
Republican nomination for probate
Judge in answer to a~-fetter received
by him from Judge Hayden whosseeks
a denomination for a third term:
Topeka. Kansas, Feb. p, 1906.
Hon r. F. Hayden, City:
Dear Sir=Your circular letter Of
Feb. y, expressing the hope that l
can see my way clear to support you
in your candidacy for a denomination
for the office of probate judge of this
county. came duly to hand, has had
my attention, and that the many who
have received 1t may know my answer,
write this open letter.
In the second paragraph Of your let
ter you say that you was appointed
probate judge to fill the unexpired
term of Judge Pagan and have been
elected to one term and feel that as
matter of precedent and custom here
tofore established you are entitled
to two full terms.
Replying call attentionst the fact
that you filed all of Judge F'agan's
term less four months and when your
present term expires you will have
held the Office two full terms less four
months President Roosevelt lacked
more than six months of filling Presi-
dent McKinley's term, and yet he an
nounced Immediately after his last in
auguration that he considers that at
the close of his present term he will
have been president two terms and
that in accordance with precedent and
custom he viii not again be a candi-
date. In this determination President
Roosevelt still stands pat"
Also. your appointment was so re-
cent that the people remember that
/ Governor Bailey stated at the time,
that he gave you the Office on account
of valuable political services rendered
him by your four influential brothers.
For these reasons it seems to me
that the two terms, precedent and
custom heretofore established" cited
by you, have particular application in
your case. and that. having had this
plum dropped into your mouth by in
! huences outside of Shawnee county
you should have been satisfied without
| asking for a third term.
In the third paragraph you say
There are in this Office over 1900
estates and in order to properly ad-
minister upon them a probate Judge
must have g. careful knowledge of the
details regarding each case"
Your conclusion in this statement
/ can only be drawn by inference, but if
/ the statement means anything, it
means that IN your opinion the pro-
bate judge should not be changed so
! long as there is such a large lumber
/ of estates in process of settlement.
Since by increase OF populat ion there
| will probably be an Increase rather
I than decrease in the business of the
court your statement IS your opinion.
delicately put. that there should. be no
! change in this office during your nat
ural life. But to the people who know
that in all courts the case should be
/ heard and decided uUon its merits as
to both law and fact. as the same may
} be developed upon the trial, your argu-
ment and evident conclusion in the
/ above are lu6icrous.
Ia your fourth paragraph YOU say,
! ssT orranizad the Juvenile or chiId's
court, and have an ambition to place
it on a firm basis before leaving the
/ Office. know every one Of the 500