The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-29
10 REST FOR BLUE SCHENCK OR NOT.
Oach Weede Is Local Contest County
ball Squad Hard Attorney and Sheriff.
Whipping Players Into Shape Efforts
for Drake Came Present Incumbent.
ONTEST HARD ONE.lAFTER MIR. WILKINSON
Teak Spots in Washburn Line Fight Being Made Pres
Being Patched. Sheriff..
fort Being Made to Develop Question of Law Enforcement
Drop Kicker. Practically the Only One.
Local Contest Centers on County
Attorney and Sheriff.
Special Efforts Made to Defeat
Present Incumbent.
AFTER MIR. WILKINSON
Hot Fight Being Made on Pres
ent Sheriff.
Question of Law Enforcement
Practically the Only One.

John Schenck was elected county
attorney in 1906 over Foster, the Re-
publican candidate, by 224 majority.
The normal Republican majority in
the county last election was 1900.
Schenck carried the city of Topeka
by 462 majority. 1t will be seen that
this lead was cut in two by the coun
try precincts of the county where the
prohibition issues were less sharply
drawn and the Republican farmers
voted their ticket with less scratching.
There is a heavier registration in
Topeka this year by several hundred
voters than there was in 1906 and
Schenck will likely go to the country
this year with much larger majority
than he did two years. There is
reason. The issues of law enforce
ment are drawn tightly this year in
every voting precinct in Kansas,
country and city alike. The result of
the primary last August showed that,
when every Republican candidate for
a second term who had been con-
spicuous in his stand for the enforce
ment of all laws was endorsed by
overwhelming majorities.
Topeka has had nearly two years of
law enforcement now unQeT the dO-
ministration of Mr.. Schenck and from
the emphatic expression of sentiment
heard on every side irrespective of
party faith, social standing or creed
the large majority of the people seem
to like the new order of things.
Mr.. Schenck's permanent strength
with so many classes of people lies in
the fact that he is not a -four
fiusher." He has never posed as re-
former or crusader. His private
opinion ON, the right of any man to
drink or. sell whiskey has never been
been denounced by Myra McHenry as
being lax in fighting the rum evil.
Now Mr.. Schenck has simply done
his whole duty in an earnest and
effective way as the prosecuting officer
for the county against vfolatorS of the
law. The state law has certain pro-
visions that apply to the sale of in
toxicants in Kansas and Schenck has
treated the violators of this law ex-
actly the same as he has every other
class of criminals. With all due con-
sideration to Mayor Green and Chief
Of Police Eaton and their cooperative
efforts it can truthfully be said that
John Schenck ably assisted by Sheriff
Wflkerson has put the jointists out of
business in Topeka and Shawnee
county and has done 1t IN an ordinary,
matter-of-fact way that will outlast in
its effects the spasmodic outbreaks of
the reformer class of people.
That Schenck's efforts have been ap-
preciated by the better class of people
in this community is attested by the
declarations of support he is receiving
in this campaign for reelection. At
least so out of go Republican lawyers
of this city have gone on public record
as pledged to support him at the polls
next week. The committee of 200 on
law enforcement have come out for
several h.
lican committee have signified their in
tention of voting for him and the pres
ident. of the newly organized Repub-
lican League club has declared for this
Democratic candidate. Local issues and
good government take precedence over
party politics with all broad. RESPONSE
BILE members of society.
Another thing, Mr.. Schenck is a law
yer of ability and conducts criminal
case with Judgment and acumen. He
Shawnee bar. His private life is
blameless and he is a popular man
personally. If he carried Topeka by 462
votes two years ago against Foster
there is every reason that he can,
standing on his record. double his ma
jority this year over an opponent who
is no stronger in any way than was
Foster.
Politics has been brushed aside in
this struggle for the Office of county
attorney ana Inc issue Is WnelneT OF
not to endorse an honest. manly, COM
petent official. 4 There is fight on
Sehenck and many Democrats will vote
fer tie Republican nominee. OF this
there is not the slightest doubt. But
that he will gain two Republicans for
every Democratic deserter seems to be
the consensus of opinion.
Scheck stands as good a chance OF
reelection as does Fred jackson, the
present attorney general
There is another county fight about
which centers a good deal of interest
and that is the great effort being made
bv Frank Simms, Democrat, to win the
office of sheriff from John Wilkerson
MANY years ago Mr.. Wilkerson served
two terms as sheriff of this county with
credit to himself but strictly speaking
Mr. Wilkerson is a candidate for a sec
ond term. He entered office with John
Schenck and was the county attor-
news right arm in the fight for the
enforcement of the prohibitory law
filling the ample basement of the jail
with the fruits of many raids on every
species of joints known to this city and
county On the occasion of the last
smashing of confiscated wet goods last
spring by Sheriff Wilkerson the sewers
ran red to the Kaw Tor half day.
There does not seem TO be much dan
ger of Wilkerson losing the election
next Tuesday. Two years ago he car
ried Topeka over Thompson, his OPP
ponent. by $50 votes and won in the
country by a majority of $40 votes.
While opposed this year by a strong