The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-28
KEITH MAY QUIT.
RumOr That He Will Not Be in
Sheriff Race.
Had Supposed He Would Have
Clear Field Against Norton.
EATON is UNDECIDED.
Chief of Police Not Committed
on His Candidacy.
Are Now Three Entries in the
Sweepstake Race.

With the announcement Of J. B. Belts
that he will make the race for the Re-
publican nomination for sheriff, and the
fact that Rome Colvin is making a
quiet campaign for the nomination the
fight for this office takes on new ap-
pearance. DR.. H. H. Keith, who was
formerly considered the strongest cam
didate against j. D. Norton, the pres
ent incumbent. may not enter the race,
although he had prepared to begin his
campaign early next year.
DR.. Keith, it is said was given to un-
derstand that he could have a clear
field against Sheriff Norton, and with
this understanding in view is said to
nave prepared to make a campaign
which would have caused more or less
astonishment- But he has no desire to
be offered as a sacrifice and with the
vote against Norton divided he may not
enter the fight.
The entrance of Colvin and Belts ir,
the race is more or less a surprise to
local politicians Last summer it was un-
derstood that an agreement had been
reached that one of the three, Keith,
Belts or Colvin, would make the race
against j. D. Norton and w. r. Eaton.
1t was decided that the strongest mem
Der of the trio opposed to the nominal
tion of Norton or Eaton would be
chosen to run and it is said that DR..
Keith had been given to understand he
was the chosen one.
Colvin is entered in the race through
the influence of ex-Sheriff J. M. Wilk-
erson, according to local politicians.
After his misunderstanding with
Sheriff Norton. Following the row in the
sheriff's office last fall, Wilkerson with
drew his pledge of support to his form
er under sheriff. It was reported that
Wilkerson would support Keith if Col
vim did not get into the race but men
in close touch with the political situa-
tion say that Wilkerson brought Colvin
into the race in order to avoid support
ing Keith. Colvin is we'll known on the
North side and wit the influence of
Wi1kerson will draw a lot of votes on
the South side, majority Of which, it
is believed. would be Keith votes. 1t is
not believed his entrance into the race
will hurt Norton.
The entrance of Belts into the
sheriff's fight is more difficult to ex-
plain. 1t is hardly believed likely that
he would leave his contracting business
for the cares of office. And should he
be making the race for his brother.
Paddy" Belts, 1t is fully as difficult
to understand as Paddy" once made a
pretty good race himself. probably as
good as the ex-senator will make at
this time. Paddy" however. is now
superintendent of the county farm,
swears he is through with politics for
place and has given the county COM
nissiorers a lot of JOY by making the
splendid showing that he has. So why
does Belts want the job? There are
various reports Of the interests behind
his campaign, but it is too early to
verify them.
The candidacy of Sheriff Norton is
expected to receive the undivided sup
port of the church vote. And the ap-
pearance of the situation just now gives
IL
field, save with the exception of the
Eaton candidacy. The chief of police
has not announced that he is a candi-
date but he did deny that he had
withdrawn from the race. Politicians.
however say that he will not run and
game to prevent another law and order
candidate being brought out against
Norton. 1t is said that when the time
comes he will withdraw and throw all
his strength to the present sheriff
This will be under the pressure of the
city administration. think some of the
men in a position to know 1t is re-
called that Paddy Belts was forced
to resign from the force to make his
campaign for sheriff and he was only
a plain clothes man and not a chief
Mayor Green is reported to have told
Eaton that he can not make the race
and remain chief of the police depart
ment during the campaign. And with
the election of Green as mayor under
the commission plan of government It
is believed Eaton can continue as head
of the police department. So it is hard
lv likely that Eaton will resign 1t is
likely that an arrangement will be at
tempted whereby Eaton will be given
Norton's support in two years
Meanwhile the situation is consider
ably unused up by the entrance of
two men, who. it was believed, would
step out and give Keith a clear field
against Col. Norton. And Norton still
smiles as if Well pleased with the sit
uation-