The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-25
Rnmors to This Effect Start
ed by Visit Of Governor
BiIlheimer and Sims to the
State House.
ARE NOW OVER FIFTY
APPLICANTS FOR JOB
i Is Stated That Thomas E.
Colbert Of Indianapolis, Is
Favorite for the Contested
Position.
Especial Correspondent

Especial correspondent.)
Indianapolis, March 25.-Rumors
llew thick and fast about the state
house yesterday. because Of the ap-
pearance simultaneously there for the
first time since early in January OF
Governor Marshall, Secretary of State
Fred A. Sims and Auditor of State
John C. Billheimer. AS a result Of
The rumors there was sudden renew
ID influx of candidates and hackers
u candidates for appointment as state
house custodian. But II they expected
any action to be taken yesterday.
they were disappointed. because Sims
returned to Frankfort at noon without
more than having said "Howdy" to the
governor, while Billheimer found, af-
ter four days absence that his desk
was piled high with letters demand
Ing his attention, and after minute
or two with the governor on matter
entirely foreign to the custodianship
he Owed into his work. The governor
had no time for candidates, for the
place and the matter was not breach
ed to him.
Sims Makes Denial.
Mr.. Sims took time to deny num-
Der of rumors which have been going
the rounds during the several weeks
that he has been away from his office
on account of an operation for appen-
dicitis. These rumors concerned the
attitude he will take of the matter OF
the appointment of e custodian when
1t comes before the three officers. 1t
had been rumored that he would join
with the governor in making an ap-
pointment in the event of the selec-
ton beng made according to the plan
outlined by the republicans.
1t will be remembered that there is
a controversy on as to whether the
appointment of a custodian rests with
the governor or with board compos-
ed of the governor. the secretary OF
state and the auditor of state. and the
governor is insisting that he will make
the appointment himself. In this
event the custodian will be demo
crat. If made by the board of three
state officers he would not be demo
auditor are republicans. But the RI
NOR had it that Sims would jo
Governor Marshall in the appe
of a democrat before he woul.. .oil
with Billheimer in appointing repub-
1ican, the claim being that Sims did
not believe the appointment. should
be taken out of the hands of the gov
ernor.
No crodnd for Rumor.
There is absolutely no ground for
the rumor." said Sims. while in
Frankfort gave the matter consider
able thought. but have arrived at no
conclusion. l don't known whether
the so-called law of 1905 will hold or
not. have not looked into 1t
enough to give an opinion on it,
The rumor to the effect that Sims
would join with the appointment of
Thomas F. Colbert, of Indianapolis, to
the place.
IF the appointee should be a demo-
crat should think Mr.. Colbert good
man for the place" said Sims.
Colbert 10 Favorite.
While nothing has been given out
by Governor Marshall concerning his
choice for the place, friends of Colbert
believe he has the best chance Of the
fifty or more applicants Of landing the
job. The governor has not retreated
from his stand taken some time ago
that the appointment belongs to him
and that he intends to name a man
who is big enough to go In and take
possession OF the office" The COVER
nor will leave for New York about |
April 10 to address the National Dem
ocratic club. 1t is understood that he
will take some action in the custod- !!
ianship before he leaves for the east. |
The term of Otway A. Baker. the
present custodian, expires April Is
and the governor will not return from
the east until after April 20.
Fifty Applicants.
In the list OF fifty or more appN- |
cants on file in the office Of the gov
ernor. Is the former chief Of police In
Indianapolis under Thomas Tagyart, |
when the latter was mayor OF Indiana
polls. Others are Timothy Griffin, Of |
Indianapolis. custodian under Cover.
nor Matthews. and representative Of |
the company which installed the heat |
ing plant In the capitol: John McClos- |
key. candidate Of the south side demo |
Gratis Of Indianapolis; Raphael |
Schmidt. candidate Of the Marshall |
Hebrew club; c. O. Fleming, city clerk |
Of Hartford City and roll clerk in the |
house Of representatives at the last |
session Of the legislature: Leander C. |
Kepner, Of Indianapolis, q railroad
man; Richard H. Neff. OF Indianapolis, |
known an the Hero Of the Monon /
Wreck" who received . medal from
tho legisla1nre . number Of years |
aeo for having crawied two miles |
o. O. ~1A0ooo oNuQ9, ). 81 1
annHfnan 1.o~ 49,