The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-27
SlMMS TO QUIT.
Will Withdraw From Race for
Commissioners.
Says That He Hasn't Been
Treated Fairly.
FEELING IS BITTER.
Democratic Committee Refused
to Approve His Plan.
Mr. Sterne Says He Knows
Nothing of New Move.

There IS a well founded rumor that
F. B. Simms, councilman from the
First ward and Democratic nominee
for county commissioner from the
North district will tender his resigna-
ton to the county central committee
some time this week.
There has been considerable friction
between Mr.. Simms and the members
OF the committee on account Of their
attitude in insisting that the Demo-
cratic nominee for sheriff, T. W.
Thompson, remain on the ticket after
he had expressed a desire to withdraw
in favor of Mr.. Simms.
At the time the Democratic conven-
ton WAS held Simms was offered the
nomination for sheriff and he would
not accept it as he stated that if his
friend and neighbor. C. W. Belts
should be nominated for the office that
he intended to support him. The re-
suit of the Republican primaries elirni-
mated Belts from the race for sheriff
when John Wilkerson was nominated
and since that time numerous efforts
have been made to get Thompson off
of the Democratic ticket with a view
/ of nominating Simms in his place
This move has been fought by the
members of the Democratic county
central committee almost to a man,
and the feeling has not been the best
| between Simns and the members of
| the committee. Shortly after Mr..
Thompson was nominated his wife
died and he again renewed his efforts
to withdraw from the ticket in favor
I of his friend Simms.
When the committee met last Sat
/ urday they adopted strong resolu-
/ tons condemning the efforts that have
been made to get Mr.. Thompson to
withdraw and their efforts were again
successful. Mr.. Thompson had his
resignation written out and in his
/ pocket ready to present to the COM
mittee and had announced to several
of his friends that he would not make
/ the race.
Mr.. Simms feels that the matter Of
| the withdrawal of Mr.. Thompson was a
matter of his own, and had made
preparations to land the nomination
/ himself as soon as it was presented to
the committee. Some time ago the re-
port was circulated that the clique
| which has dominated the politics of
4 Shawnee county for a number OF years
/ from the Republican side were anxious
| to get Simms to withdraw from the
| commissioner fight and make the race
against John Wilkerson for sheriff. 1t
was stated and has never been denied
that Thompson was offered S1,5OO to
withdraw and a deputyship in the
sherifs Office in case the Democrats
should be successful at the polls this
] fall.
It is conceded that If Simms makes
! the fight for commissioner in the north
district this fall against Commissioner
I Haynes that the chances are in favor of
| the election of Simms, as the district
/ is close one and there is a difference
of less than fifty votes in favor of the
J Republican nominee Simms is con-
| ceded to be very popular in the district
| and Haynes has made some enemies
during his two terms in Office who re-
fuse to be pacifieo and have announced
4l,.- ~ f17n
There has been considerable wire
pulling on the part of the element head
| ed by W. E. Sterne to weaken the op-
1 position to Haynes so that his election
win be assured and among the plans
adopted is the one looking to the with
drawal of Simms-
When asked about the matter this
morning Mr.. Sterne said:- This is the
first time I have heard of such a thing
and I did not know that Simms was
1 contemplat ting such move 1 guess 1
4 had better make trip across the river
/ and get acquainted with this man
Simms for seem to be expected to
know about every move that he is con-
\ templating. I know absolutely nothing
about the withdrawal of Mr. Simms but
I suppose that, that is his privilege if
he 50 chooses, but can't see what par
I ticular difference his withdrawal will
make in the commissionership fight.
Then again I am not running for COM
I that I hold over this year"
Have you Withdrawn from the race
for commissioner of the north dtstrict2'
was asked Mr.. Simms- No, not yet"
was his reply DO you contemplate
such a rnove?' was then asked. 'sWell,
yes, I have been thinking about it
though I do not care to say at this time
that I will withdraw
why do you intend to withdraw"
was asked, ''or do you care to give your
reasons?s wei there is this about ii. :"
said Mr.. Simms, Il have not had fair
deal from the Democratic central com
4 Inittee and I do not feel that I have
been treated right by them. and I am
| not keen to make the race in the light
| of things which have transpired lately.
Il am councilman from this ward as
| you know, and I feel that it is possible
! that I will be able to be of more benefit
/ in the council to my constituents in this
portion of the city than I would be if
! elected commissioner 1 shall not ten
der my resignation for a few days, but
I have come to the conclusion that a
seat in the city council is the more de-
sirable of the two. and I will be can
| didate for reelection to that place with
out any doubt"