The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-19
SOME GOSSIP
ABOUT POLITICS
THOSE WHO ARE "MENTIONED'
FOR THE VARIOUS COUNTY
OFFICES.

| '"i"ihS souhts poiAtNS Ho" 40 Ahu' II
AS they were few months ago
This may be due to the fact that they
are too busy with their various af-
fairs to bother with politics. but
more than likely all this quiet
along the Potomac is merely the
calm before the storm. In fact,
speaking of storms, you can now see
In the political skies portentous indi-
cations of political palpitations. Per-
spring and aspiring patriots and
citizens of this sovereign Common
wealth in different parts Of the coun-
ty. after having their power of re-
sistance broken down by the con-
tinual urging of prominent men. are
saving up their fives. and "along
about the first week in January" as
the almanac makers say, look out for
numerous political announcements
The cheerful and willing saviOrs Of
our county are lining up
The most important and the best
paying office in the county is that
of Clerk of the Circuit Court. A. B.
Ferguson, who has held this Office
for time whereof the memory of
man runneth not to the contrary,
has kindly consented not to be a can
didate to succeed himself. Four
prominent citizens. prompted by a
desire not to have this Office become
vacant and tenantless. will run for
Clerk. These four are. John NJ.
Keen Of Lakeland; Vernon Clyatt, of
Fort Meade. and Jim Johnson and
Tom Hughes, both of Barlow. These
men are all well-known. Mr.. Keen
and Mr.. Hughes both having been
members of the Board of County
CjmmissiOnGrs, the former having for
one term been Chairman of that
body. Mr.. Johnson having been
Deputy Clerk under Mr.. Ferguson
for several years. and Mr.. Clyatt hav-
ing been cashier of the Bank of Fort
Meade since it's organization. and
each man will command strong sup
port.
The Office of sheriff is not ito be
grinned at when you come to think
of the emoluments thereof, the fees
and peruuisitcs of which are sufli-
cient to keep the sheriff from actual
want during his term of Office. John
Logan is our present liOn-hearted
conservator of the peace, and 1t re-
quires considerable tcmerity to op-
pose him, yet there is some talk OF
opposition to big John. Bert Childs.
of Barlow, a former deputy sherlli
under Sheriff Tillis, will likely offer
for this office. as will also Leon
Prime and a Mr.. LangfOrd. both OF
Fort Meade.
From the fact that the tax pay
ers are insisting on a more equitable
assessment of property in this coun-
ty. the Office of tax assessor is one OF
great Importance. J. Harris Ian
caster, the present able incumbent OF
this office, and probably the smooth
est politician of the bunch, will not
run again. Lewis Bates, the present
assistant in the tax collectors Office,
J. J. Boynton, of Barlow, and w. H.
Thompson of Lakeland, will attempt
to assuage theor thirst for political
office by running for this office.
F. Marion I.anier, the present
genial tax collector, will endeavor
to persuade the voters to give hlm
his Office for another term. OppOsl-
ton to him is not looming up very
strongly at present, but it is likely
that he will have opposition. Mar
win Crum, of Barlow. and Henry
Lewis, of Kathleen, we understand,
are talking seriously of adding to the
hilarity of tn e occasion by opposing
Marion.
]. T. Hamm, the keeper Of the
county's monies, wants this Office Tor
another term. However, he will not
be permitted TO travel the primrose
path of political prferment alone, for
it is generally understood that W. }.
]. Whidden. the present member OF
the Board of Public Instruction Tor
the Barlow district, will try to separ-
ate Hamm from the office of the
keeper of the Kings Exchequer.
Prof. T. 3. Kirk, the present
County Superintendent of of Public
instruction, says that he will an
nounce for reelection at the proper
time, but it is very likely. too, that
he will be opposed. Prof. Chester A.
Parker, of Lakeland. has ambitions
CONTINUED on page six.D