The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1908-01-31
POLITICS WARMING UP
Judge Chadwick Mentioned for
Office of Governor.
Candidates for County Offices Be.
ginning to Get in Line--Looks
Like Warm Times Ahead.

Politics in Whitman county is begin
ming to simmer. Did we say Whitman
county? We should have said the state
OF Washington. Whitman county, how
ever, is nearer the heart, hence our first
thoughts are concerning her. 1t is only
simmering now, but it is quite evident
that it will soon reach the boiling point,
and will continue to boil until the ides
of November. This is no off year, mind
you. We elect county and state officers,
as we'll as president and vice president
OF the United States, and something is
going to be doing. 1t is interesting
therefore, to observe and take notes.
1t seems quite probable that the
democrats of Whitman county will put
forward the name of Judge Stephen j.
| Chadwick for either governor or Justice
of the supreme court. 1t all depends.
The democrats face the fact that the
state went nearly 41.0OO plurality for
the republicans at the last congressional
election, and that nothing but tidal
wave can sweep away that tremendous
plurality. If the money stringency
should continue, business become de
mOralized and labor continue slack for
the unemployed, the democratic "wah
hosses" profess to sniff victory in the
air. There are those among them, how
ever, who look at facts and conditions
as they really exist and are not so san
guine in being able to carry the state,
even with so popular a man as Judge
| Chadwick to lead the ticket. These men,
many of them, favor pushing the Judge
| for the supreme bench, pointing to the
non partisan judiciary law passed by the
last legislature, which aims to place men
of high character and ability on the
bench regardless of their political affiia-
tiOns. Looking at it from that view
point they claim his election to the su-
preme bench is assured.
Our fellow-townsmen, Mayor John
Pattison, is being groomed by his friends
connected with the Woodmen of the
| World for governor, but to what extent
it will lead is mere conjecture. In poll
ties the mayor is a democrat, and per-
force would have to run on that ticket,
with the big republican majority to wipe
out that would face any other candi-
date. He has not said that he wants
the office-the matter is merely tentative.
In case Judge Chadwick sidesteps the
superior iudgeshiD there will probably
| be several espirants to step into his
| shoes On the democratic side we hear
the names of Henry W. Garfield of Col
fax and r. j. Neergaard of Oakesdale.
The republicans will probably have
Judge E. K. Hanna and u L. Ettinger
to select from.
There will be a warm contest for the
office Of sheriff Sheriff Ratliff will un-
doubtedly be the nominee of his party.
". c. Mccoy, county commissioner, and
E. W. Weinberg Of Colfax are mentioned
in the republican column.
R. Fl. Duff, assessor Milton p. Nc
Croskey, treasurer, and Hugh c. Todd,
clerk, all democrats, are looking for re-
4
to them-the election is another prob
lem.
William M. Duncan, republican
auditor, will be renominated and will be
hard man to beat at the polls. Dur
ing his term OF Office he has been con-
stantly at his post of duty, and the peo-
pie recognize his capability and obliging
disposition. For this Office T, J. Welty
and FL. Fl. Wheeler loom up seeking the
democratic nomination, which, in this
instance, is likely to prove an empty
honor.
For prosecuting attorney j. Hugh
Sherfey and j. l.. Wallace are republican
aspirants, while the democrats have
plenty of men willing to face the sacIi-
fee.
Two young men, now in the survey
or's office, so report goes, will seek the
republican nomination for county sur
yeyor. We refer to John McCaw and
Cromwell Oliver.
J. o. Mattoon is the only name men
toned so far for school superintendent,
although there will probably spring up
other aspirants. He is republican.
But more anon. Legislative candi-
dates are mentioned, of which, no doubt,
there will be others. When they have
all lined up the pot will not only simmer,
it will boil. The witches cauldron in
Macbeth forces itself upon the mind at
this time.
Sec. Witch. Fillet of fenny snake.
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool Of bat and tongue of dog.
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizards leg and howlet's wing,
For charm of powerful trouble,
Like hell ll-broth boil and bubble.
All. Double, double toll and trouble;
E;ra burp and cauIdron bubble