Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31
EDGAR DEWITT gibson.
Republican Nominee For Sheriff
OF Adams County.


serving his first term as County Sheriff,
was born in Vaudeville, Barry county,
Michigan, June &c, 1858, and is now AZ
wears of age. He has resided in Ritz
vile, Adams county, Washington con-
tinuously for the past twenty-two,years.
The promise made to the people two
wears ago that he would forsake all his
other business and devote his entire
time and undivided attention to an
active, intelligent and economic admin
istration of the sheriff's Office has been
most faithfully kept. Four fold has
been the work in the criminal depart
ment. A little money has been spent,
but the citizen is asked to look at the
results. The sheriff's Office of Adams
county has today standing in the
state of which the people Of the county
NAV not be ashamed. While the
statement was made in convention and
is matter of common report that the
county has now the best sheriff it has
ever had the incumbent challenges and
denies this injustice to the honorable
and efficient men who have served be-
fore him, yet, he feels conscious of
having endeavored to do his duty when
occasion demanded. He wishes sup
port if he is right, but has no desire
to hold another term save by the free
will and unquestionable choice of the
voters. And when his labor is ended
in the present capacity, whether it be
now or two years hence, his ambition
will have been realized if by choice the
sentiment of the people of Adams
county should appear to be, "Well
done, thou good and faithful servant.
sHERIFF's EXPENSE.
Year ending June 30, 1908 $512. SO
Year ending June 80, 1904 726.7O
Year ending June 80, 1905 579.6
Year ending June 30, 1906 1856. go
Total, 1926. 8s
Since January 10, 1905, when Sheriff
ellison took office % men have been
sent to the penitentiary, and Of that
number twenty have been sent up
since June l, 1905. During five years
previous to January 10, 1905, total of
II criminals were sent to the peniten-
tiary. The present sheriff is not
furnished pass as was the case with
his predecessor, which, in itself is
quite an item where so much travelling
is done by sheriff and having to pay
fare when former sheriff rode free. 1t
will be noticed if basing the expense
on number of prisoners taken to Walla
Walla that Mr.. Gilson's administration
is the least expensive the county has
yet had. Take for example the eX-
pense of Mr.. Shorno from June 80, 1903
to June 30, 1904, which is fair COM
parison, S726.70, and of ellison from
June 80, 1905, to June 30, 1906, $1466. 60.
Say that the average was three mer
for that year, the cost would be $24z
per criminal, while twenty men in the
same length of time for Mr.. ellison
would make the average cost $73 per
criminal In addition to this, the number
of men confined in Jail during the past
year and half has been much greater
than ever before. Handling criminal
work is and always will be expensive
and it is impossible to foretell what the
volume may be. 1t might be more and
it may be less next year. That impor-
tant branch of the county government
must be taken care of and the legiti-
mate expense is not the fault of the
sheriff. The present policy is to con-
duct the Office in vigorous, energetic
and business like manner, standing in
readiness for call at any time of day or
night under which system expense is
necessarily incurred. There has simply
been double the criminal work done in
the last 81 months than in five years
Ave years prior to that time.
The Lind Leader has the following
to say:
Sheriff Gilson's political enemies are
making fight against his reelection
on the grounds that his term has been
very expensive one for the county.
This is all bosh-pure rot. Of course,
it has cost more than usual to conduct
the Office during the past two years,
but there has been very good excuse
for the extra expense. There has been
a great amount Of criminal business for
the sheriff to take care of and that re-
quires money. Since January 10, 1905,
if we remember correctly twenty-five
men have been sent to the peniteniary
from Adams county-a greater number
than ever event over the road" before
in any ten years. The expense of cap
turing and caring for these criminals
until turned over to the state although
incurred during his term in office-can
hardly be charged up against ellison.
1t would be just about as sensible to
hold him responsible for their actions
when they broke the law of the land.
1t is the sheriff S duty to run down the
lawless element and Gibson has certain
ly made record to be proud of in that
line. He has, besides, handled a great
amount of civil business in prompt
and efficient manner and made a hit
with the public by always having a
deputy in the Office during office hours