The Sentinel=record., 1911-10-25
HUGH |. HALE
 SUCCEEDS WEBB
SHERIFF ousTED FROM OFFICE AT THE INSPIRATION OF PROS.
 EcuToR J. 8. WOOD.
Governor Is Dumb on the Question of Whether He Win Follow the Law and Call Special
 Election.

Hugh l.. Hale, cohort of J. B. lfWood is sheriff c, Garland county.
 Charles Webb, who had served as sheriff through the appointment of Circuit Judge Gotham, and whose ap- pointment had been approved by Gov N-nor Donaghey, was removed from koffice through the process of yester- day when Hale was appointed.
 Governor Donagney appointed Hale late yesterday afternoon, and the an- nouncement was made about z o'clock last night in Little Rock.
 In speaking of the appointment, Governor Donaghey said that Prose cutor Wood had appealed to him 10 name Hale as sheriff, and that in his appointment of Hale he was placing the responsibility of the situation in Hot Springs with Wood.
 The Governor admitted that there was storm of protest against the appointment of Hale, but shifted the resp sponsibility through his statement that Wood was the prosecutor of the dstrice and in that capacity was en- titled to suggest the appointment of sheriff.
 Governor Donaghey was dumb on the question as to whether he would call special election to give the peo- pie chance to elect a sheriff of the county to fill out the year. There is yet one year of the two years to be served.
 Whether the Governor will follow the mandatory provisions of the law or not remains to be seen. It is con- ceded by attorneys here that there is nothing to force him to call a special election other than the reading of the law and the Democratic principal in volved.
 The removal of Sheriff Webb will be distinct disappointment to not alone his personal friends, but to the business interests of the community
 He entered the office as doubtful quantity, and his career in office was closely followed. He made good in every particular and was considered fair middle ground between the rl- val factions in the matter of local gov ernment policies.
 The action of the Governor yes terday follows the confirmation of the case against former sheriff Sid Houpt who was removed from office some time ago through a circuit court yer dict, which was appealed to the su- preme court. and last Monday was af | firmed by that tribunal.
 l That Webb would be permittei Go continue in the office until the end of the term was the general impression. Former sheriff R. l.. Williams. who is an avowed candidate for the office
 and who naturally is an opponent oi Webb'ss said yesterday morning.: Webb ought 10 be permitted to hold
 office until the end of this term. !"
 Everybody else. political friend oI
 foe, rather anticipated that there would be no change, since Circul'
 Judge Gotham had selected Charlel
 Webb from a long list of applicants
 he had served efficiently and fairly
 and there seemed no reason for (
 change at the present time.
 Yesterday morning Prosecutor Woot
 received a communication from Gov
 ernor Donaghey, in answer to let
 ter Wood had sent the governor. Th'
 answer was the cue for Prosecuto Wood to take Hale and hurry to Lit tile Rock. The appointment was
 made late in the afternoon, but no not announced until after night. Governor Donaghey seemed [ vince Ihder the storm of protest tha went to him late in the afternoon and gave out statement in whic Ae said that Wood had urged the at pointment, and that while he ha many friends in Hot Springs would like to have followed, yet ur der the circumstances he allowe k Wood to name the sheriff
 
 Wood is himself an appointiye O ficer of the governor. Wood was prosecuting attorney in the old dii trict, but did not receive a third , the vote cast in Garland county fc the office, and was second man this county in a race of four cand dates. Of course there is nothiu to indicate he could have been u
 choice of Montgomery county. sinC I that county has had no opportunil z to vote on the subject as yet.
 The appointment of Hale is gei q erally accepted as the signal for S revival of strife that had exlcted hel q for some time. but which was abol q uuieted Hale is regarded as an c A& !