Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-03-20
City AttorneyShip Contest.

lt may not be out of place for mt
to make statement in regard to th,
contest for City Attorney at the
coming City Election. On the day
preceding the Citizens Convention
held in this city on Thursday evening
last, Mr.. Lloyd Barker, who has beer
our efficient City Attorney for the
past TWO terms, made a statement in
my presence that he was not candi
date for reelection. With knowledge
of this, and under the belief that
there would be no contest for that
| office, l became candidate fer the
same. Later learned be had changed
bis mind and had declared himself to
be candidate for that office. We
both sought the nomination at the
Citizens Convention and I received
the same. We both sought the en-
dorsement at the Republican Conven-
tion, the following evening, and Mr..
Barker secured the nomination on
the Republican ticket by a vote of
to 13.
Mr.. Barker's excuse for asking for a
third term, as stated by himself and
friends, is that the so-called aSever-
ance Case" against the city is in the
Supreme Court and that he desires a
third term to be identified with that
case until The same has been finally
terminated. Further, Mr.. Barker
and his friends state that 1 have
expressed an opinion as to the merits
OF that case contrary to the interests
of the city and therefore should not
be elected City Attorney and take
charge of that case in the Supreme
Court. Further that this is the only
reason why Mr.. Barker is candidate
for third term at this time.
In response to this, I have to say
that at the time the above mentioned
case was tried 1 did make remarks
which indicated that my sympathies
were not with the city in this case.
Since that time and until the matter
was brought up by Mr.. Barker and
his friends, the matter had passed
from my mind and l did not know
that the case had gone to the Supreme
Court until l was made acquainted
with that fact, at this time, by them.
On hearing that this was being
urged against me as candidate for
this office, l Immediately informed
Mr.. Barker that in the event of my
election as City Attorney would not
under any circumstances take charge
of this case, because of my former
expressions, and that he would be con-
tinued in charge of the same at no
extra cost to the city.
The next morning after the Repub-
lican Convention, at once went to
Mr.. VIM. Kellow, our next mayor,
and told him before witnesses that in
event Of my election as City Attorney
that would not take charge of the
Severance Case" under any condi-
tions. That there is feeling in the
city that have personal interest in
the case and that under the circum
stances a decision in the case adverse
to the city would lay me open to Sc
we're criticism OF my fellow townsmen.
Further, that If elected, Mr.. Barker
should be continued in charge of the
case. AS a matter of law it is my
opinion that the Court would direct
that the former City Attorney take
charge of the same because of his IA
miliarity and former connection with
the same.
I make this statement to simply
inform the voters of the exact situa-
tion, and it is simply matter of your
own Judgment whether am entitled
to your support or not under these
conditions. I have been asked by
leading Republicans to have my name
taken from the ballot of the Citizens
ticket but have informed them that I
cannot. The Citizens Convention
accepted me in good faith as their
candidate and 1T would be very wrong
for me to desert them at this time
and / feel bound to make reasonable
canvass for the same. If it Injuries
me in the councils of my party,
deplore the same; but it is more
proper and fitting that stand it
rather than desert the Citizens Con-
vention who made me their candidate
in good faith. Mr.. Barker is a person
al friend of mine and L have no criti-
cism of him for desiring third term.
I have no criticism of the Republican
Convention for not endorsing me, for
all of the facts in the matter were
not known at the time of the conven-
tion.
l hope that the voters Of our little
city will pardon me for thus presum-
ing to make this matter so prominent
and that 1 can assure them that
whatever their decision I will "keep
sweet" for the matter is not of suffi-
cient Importance to create hard feel
ings or seriously disturb long stand
ing Friendships.
Very sincerely yours,
e. A. CHURCH.
Eggs for Hatching!
Am prepared to furnish eggs for