Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-04-15
c. ". KIDD IS SHERIFF
Gov. HOch Ignores Both Central Com.
mittees and Establishes Now
Precedent

Gov. Hoch appointed c. w. Kidd to
the Office Of Sheriff Of Barber county to
fill the vacancy caused by the assassina-
ton Of Sheriff E. L. McCracken, last
Wednesday. The appointment Of Mr..
kidd was great surprise to great many
Barber county people. 1t will be remem-
bered that soon after the death of Sheriff
McCracken a number Of local repubE-
cans Of the county met and decided by
resolution to waive the matter Of filling
the vacancy and invited the democrats to
recommend a man to the governor, mas
much as Sheriff McCracken was a dem
.crat and LOST his life in the performance
Of his duty. The Governors consent to
this plan was secured when the PROPOSE
ton was made. The chairman and sec
retary Of the democratic central commit
tee, acting on this plan and having every
reason to believe it was made in good
faith by the republicans, and it having
been practically assured them by the
Governor that he would act on the
recommendation, procured as far as pos
sible the sentiment Of the democrats Of the
county and decided that majority fav-
ored the appointment Of T. c. Bunton
of Kiowa and made the recommenda-
ton accordingly. This recommendation.
together with petition signed by great
many Barber county citizens was sent to
Gov. Hoch by Chairman Case Of the re-
publican committee who asked the Gov
ernor to appoint Mr.. Bunton. About the
same time Mr.. Kidd, acting independ-
emily Of the committees and at the request
of the deceased sheriff brother, sent in a
petition which we are informed was also
quite generally signed, asking for the ap-
pointment.
At this stage Of the game attorneys for
the State Temperance Union took a
hand in the matter and went before Gov.
Hoch and urged Mr.. Kidds appoint
ment and this is supposed to have inAu-
enced the decision to appoint MIR. Kidd.
II is said that some Statements were made
to theGovemor by these attorneys derog-
atory to Mr.. Bunton and that the gov
ernor was led - belie,e thai Ai1. 3ui-
ton was an improper man for the Office.
! If that be true. Gov. Hoch acted very
unfairly and ungentlemanly in not extend
ing to either committee or Mr.. Bunton
the usual courtesy Of hearing.
In this matter Sheriff Kidd is not open
to censure. He had an unquestionec
right to aspire to the Office. he was Sher.
If McCrackens under sheriff and in the
ordinary course expected promotion. He
desires to have it made emphatic that i
any personal fight was made on MIR. Bun
ton by any one it was done without hi
knowledge or consent. He conceded
MIR. Bunton's fitness for the Office ant
does not now endorse any charges again:
him if any have been made. In his ow
mind, however, Sheriff Kidd believe
that the fad Of his having been unde
sheriff. coupled with the fact that Tt
McCracken asked for his appointment
had much to do IN making him success.
full There was nothing dishonorable
MIR. Kids campaign and he is to b
congratulated in securing the appointment
But Gov. Hoch can not be too strong
ly condemned for the insult offered, frs
to the republicans Of Barber county
that he did not even acknowledge II
Ceipt Of their endorsement which he II
ceived through Chairman Case; seconc
", for leading the democrats to beiey
that their recommendation would be re
spected, and lastly for sending out th
Infamous and untruthful report that it VI
wet and dry" fight which ever
:, body in Barber county knows is Wciou
Iy false and can have no other efecf th'
to Sur up strife among people who shOu
be friends.
But in this the new sheriff is blamele
and he is entitled to receive the unit'
support Of all the citizens Of the county
the discharge Of his official duty.
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