The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-01
ZIMMERsIAN's PECULIAR ACT.


Samuel G. Zimmerman. the Shaw
nee county clerk. who has been noted
for the many and various reforms
which he has attempted to institute
during his incumbency in Office in sew
eral of the county departments other
than his own, is doing something
these days which is causing all sorts
of talk and considerable real excite
ment among the politicians of the
county, and particularly those in the
Republican, ranks. He refuses to
make public the list of those candi-
dates who have filed primary nomina-
lions for places on the Republican
county committee. Mr.. Zimmerman
has made public the names Of all
those filing nominations for county Of
fees, for township offices and also
the names Of those seeking nomina-
tions for places on the Democratic
county committee. But as to the
names Of those desiring places on the
Republican county committee-well,
they appear to be Mr.. Zimmerman
personal property for the time being
and no one can have a look at them.
He will not let the politicians. who are
naturally most interested, take even
SO much as a peek at them. Nor will
he permit the newspapers to get them
and publish them. He gives only per-
sonal reasons for Withholding this in
formation. And he declares that he is
not compelled by law to make the
nominations public for ten days. or
until he receives from the state
authorities the lists of the nominees
for state Offices, to which he will then
formally attach the nominees for all
the county and township offices and
for the places on the county COM
mittees. So he proposes to stand on
his prerogative and keep the names
of those who desire to be Republican
committeeman from the public as
long as it Is possible for him to do so.
This determination on the part of
Mr.. Zimmerman is peculiar to say the
least. 1t is causing an endless amount
of talk In political circles. 1t is
pointed out that Mr.. Zimmerman is
a candidate for denomination. He is
being strenuously opposed by the Re
publicans in the county who are allied
with what is known as the machine"
There are a number of other candi-
dates for county offices in the same
boat and they are allied with Mr.. Zim-
norman in fight against the COM
mon enemy. Mr.. Zimmerman and the
others with him appear to be fond of
public office and they have all sorts
of political aspirations. Control of,
or a good representation in the
county committee, would naturally
further their interests. The present
county committee. most of the MEM
bers Of which are running for re-
nomination, Is dominated by the
machine.
But this quest for committeeman
ships is not strong in several localities
in the county. Perhaps there are some
places which have not nominated any
man to represent them on the COM
mittee. What would be easier under
such circumstances than for a county
clerk, with aspirations for political
preferment and representation through
his friends on the county committee,
to take steps to fill in nominations
satisfactory to himself when none
have been made. as long as he has
exclusive control of the list of nomina-
lions such as Mr.. Zimmerman has
assumed?
OF course 1t would be hard to find
a man who would think of accusing
Mr.. Zimmerman of doing such an I'M
derhand piece Of work. that is any
man who is familiar with Mr.. thinner
mans high mindedness and his high
ideals as to how a public servant, even
though he only be clerk of a county,
should conduct himself. But an I'M
scrupulous county clerk, of which
there have been some. and may be
more, could do that very thing.
At any rate 1t would seem that Mr..
Zimmerman Is holding himself open to
criticism for refusing to make public
the nominations in question in view of
the fact that he has made public the
names of all the other county nomi-
nees, including those for the Demo-
cratic county committee.