The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-21
THEY'RE RUSTLINC
Campaign for Sheriff Is Grow
ing in Interest.
Col. Norton Explains Otto An
derson appointment.
HE HAS REFORMED.
Ex-Jointist Is Competent
Peace Officer.
Mr.. Belts Manager Confident of
the Result.

IL Qult uHlll the ldSl vote Is pO1leQ Oh
August 2, all agree that the thing is
practically settled now and that future
work Is more to guard fences than to
make material increases to their re-
spective fiocks of votes. The stray
glers are hurrying to get their names
on the registration books in the office
of Election Commissioner c. H. Titus
in Topeka, for the books close tomor-
row night and there are the usual
number who have procrastinated and
forgotten to attend to it, The Repub
licans are doing the perspiring.
There are nightly meetings in the
.brush,' where the candidates are
given chance to expound the virtues
of partisan and individual allegiance
Most of the candidates are working
daily in the town and country so that
few of them are on hand at their usual
haunts when the reporters call to talk
about the prospects But there is not
ably less work of mailing" campaign
canards than there used to be. There
are fewer keg parties. Less pyrotech-
MICS. But there Is more newspaper dis
play advertising and more space taken
on bill boards.
Three of the contests have attracted
particular attention. The noisiest. UNI
til the past few days, has been the
sheriff fight, which has been a mild one
compared with some of the frenZied
contests of days gone by. Next to this,
the campaign for county clerk has
COIHp6ll0Q dltcHllOil anu C4OSS dllCA
that comes the race for county attor-
ney. There are a half dozen candidates
for register of deeds but the cam
paign for this Office has been notably
free from personalities, although sew
eral of the candidates have worked as
siduously. Because the Job pays best
and because the three figures in the
campaign are known throughout the
county, the scrap for the office of sher-
iff is entitled to first place. And no.
body knows its outcome.
Col John D. Norton who is making
harder test of straight publicity than
any other candidate in this election ex-
cepting, perhaps. Samuel G. thinner
| man. out for reelection as county
clerk, is the hold-over candidate for
sheriff He is very confident but is
working hard. Colonel Norton issued
a statement today relative to one point
of his campaign which has caused him
some trouble, the appointment of Otto
Anderson an ex-jointist, as jailer.
1t follows:
Colonel Norton's Explanation.
"My political opponents are trying
| to make capital out of my appointment
of Otto Anderson as assistant Jailer
desire to conceal nothing and I write
this letter in order that the voters may
know the exact facts about it.
"In September. 1909, three desperate
criminals, then in Jail, attacked Jailer
Bayless, throwing red pepper IN MS
/ ewes and race, d1IIlOSI kllllllS Dy q
blow on the head with a heavy iron
bar. then making their escape A. L.
Sauls, a very competent man, was then
assistant jailer, but last April, when
the city administration changed, he
went on the police force 1t Is difficult
to fill this place. 1t takes cautious,
powerful, fearless man to handle
criminals.
IT instructed Mr.. Bayless to secure
proper man. After considerable
search he selected Otto Anderson. 1
appointed him. After the appoint
ment, L learned he had been connect
ed with the illegal sale of liquor, and
I went to him for an explanation. He
admitted he had sold liquor some
years before, but had since been en-
gagged in the real estate business.
found this to be true. Upon further IN
vestigation I learned that he had
worked sixteen years for the street
railway company and had gold medal
presented him by its officials for faith
full service.
Il decided to try him. I have never
been sorry for one minute. He fills
the bill exactly. He has proven to be
one of the best men in that capacity
the county ever had. He has been
loyal and faithful in every particular.
He has been valuable not only for the
excellent service performed, but he
has given me much valuable informa-
ton concerning criminals. now chal-
lenge any of my critics to point to a
single wrong or unfaithful act by him
since he has held this position.
1T has been said that 1 appointed
him. upon the solicitation of Mr.. Dick
Hodgins.' This is absolutely false.
Hodgins has not spoken to me on any
su bject since / have held the office of
sheriff. Anderson was appointed ex-
actly as above stated. 1 select and ap-
point all my deputies and pay them
out of my own income. The county
making no allowance therefor.
MIR. Robert Norris, of the State
Temperance union, was one of the
first to criticize the appointment. 1
told him if he would find a man who
son, and who would be satisfactory to
him (Norris), l would appoint him.
Mr.. Norris, thus far, has failed to pro-
duce the man.
What do you think, Mr.. Voter.
should I discharge this man, who has
proven faithful to every trust simply
because my opponents are, unjustly
finding fault, and so take chances on a
Jail delivery at any time? This is the
only official act of mine they criticize.
to you to decide. 1 have an abiding
confidence in your decision
Colvin Is Confident.
The possession of an unusual per-
sonal acquaintance, based largely upon
business relations during a long period
and this acquaintance developed by an
admirable campaign organization is
what Jerome Colvin figures will turn
the nomination for sheriff in his direc-
ton.
Il am very confident said Mr.. Col
vim this morning, "and think have
a right to be. My strength is dis
tributed into every corner of Shawnee
county and 1t is being developed in
every precinct by close personal friends
who want to see me elected. For TWEEN
ty-seven years have been doing bust
ness with farmers in every portion of
Shawnee county as we'll as with the
people in the city that my personal
acquaintance is a large one. My friends
have worked quietly. No effort has
been wasted in noise. It has been a