The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-02-22
GOVERNOR SIGNS
THE COURT BILL
whom the next comptroller will be
CONTINUED from Page one,

whom the next comptroller will be.
The appointment of Becker and his
acceptance came like a bolt out of
clear sky. Becker was not known even
as a possibility 1t is understood that
the appointment at the hands of the
governor came as a surprise to Becker
himself and that he was only induced
to accept the honor after the governor
had importuned him to do so.
CALL FOR RADICAL CHANGES.
So radical are the changes that will
be made as a result of these appoint
merits that it will take several days for
the general public to grasp their real
import The financial consideration is
believed to have impelled Becker to
accept the offer His salary as mayor
is only $500 a year while the judge
ship will pay $500 year and he will
qualify within ten days.
BY his acceptance of this tender
Judge Becker has eliminated himself
from politics Tn Hammond. 1t is an
indication of h4s~fnteftion of retiring
from an office that he has filled for
seven years and which he would hold
till 1914.
1t is generally believed that this will
place John D. Smalley in line for the
democratic nomination for the Office of
mayor in three years. or at the expira-
ton of Becker's term of office.
What his attitude will be on matters
of administration policy remains to be
seen. It is matter purely of conjec-
ture 1T Is possible that he will con-
tinue Becker's present appointees in
Office. He may make some new ap-
pointments. These possibilities all add
interest to the situation that mas been
created by Becker's appointment as
judge of the Superior Court
COURT APPOINTMENTS.
The developments which have lead
to the appointment of Becker and
Kopelke as the judges OF the Lake
Superior tcourt at Hammond have come
thick and fast in the past few days.
On Monday the Hammond court bill,
which had gone through its various
readings in the senate, was passed. On
Tuesday the house ooncured in the
senate amendment which required that
one of the judges spend half of his
! time at Crown Point.
| This morning at ten o'clock Governor
Thomas r. Marshall signed the bill and
a few minutes later announced the APP
pointments one of which retired the
present mayor of Hammond and may
result in sweeping changes in the pres
emit city administration.
| BULLETINED BY TIMES.
| The news of Becker's appointment
when bulletined by THE TIMES was re-
ceived with amazement in Hammond
today So unlocked for was this situa-
ton that even the close political asso-
cfates of Mayor Becker and John d
Smalley were dumbfounded when they
heard the news.
| A reporter for THE TIMES was the
first Hammond man to congratulate the
new mayor of the city.
/ Il wish to congratulate the nex1
mayor of the city of Hammond SAID
In company with Otto Duelke, the city
clerk of Hammond
THE NEXT MAYOR OF HAMMOND
Smalley extended his hand and smii
ed. Did the governor appoint Becker
to one of the judgeships.' said he.
The appointment was made this
morning." was the reply, "and you arr
| to be the next mayor of Hammond"
SmaIley and Duelke had been talking
over the situation and while they knew
Becker had been rendered the appoint
ment there seemed to be some doubt il
their minds about his acceptance of TIL,
eliminate that element of doubt ans
assure Smalley of the facts.
Efforts to reach Judge Kopelke b,
wire at Crown Point were unavailable
as .he was out of the city.