Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-20
ARBITRATION KICKED OVER.
Meekins' Announcement Peculiar, il
Not Suspicious. Under Circumstances.

Not Suspicious, Under Circumstances.
The announcement of J. +. Meekihs.
Of Lisconlb. for sheriff. after the arbi-
rra.ion which he had entered into with
E. T. Worden. T. ]. Shoemaker, and
George Alien, TO determine by joint
committee of friends who would be the
strongest candidate, arouses ali kinds
OF suspicion as 10 who mas induced
Meekins 10 violate written agreement
and arbitration which he had accepted
fully
1t seems that some time ago mutual
friends suggested to Meekins. Worcen
Shoemaker. ard Allen. that they would
all draw largely from the same vote
and that Mason would be an easy win
ner against the field The result -as
that these four men each named an
arbitrator. and P. +. -ArreT was re-
quested 70 name a fifth and all signed
up agreeing TO leave the candidacy
with the committee selected 10 coEfer
with US, viz: Elias Bueghly, John
Rank. A c. Thompson. Ira Merriman,
and D. 5. Collins, and 70 abide by their
decision" The contract also stipulated
that We also agree that we will sup
port the man for sheriff selected by
this committee, and that we will not
make any effort nor will we permit
our names TO be used in any way
whatever in connection with the secur-
ing Of this office for ourselves. should
either OF Us not be the candidate Sc
lected."
Altho the fifth man appointed was
known 20 be favorable to Mr.. Meekins,
ne was accepted by the others as
fair-minded arbitrator, and the arbi-
rration was held. Meekins and the 9TH
er would be candidates being present
Mr.. Bueghly, representing Meekins, OBJ
jected TO Shoemaker having a repre-
sentative on the committee on the
ground that Shoemaker was not bona
hde candidate but when Shoemaker
replied that while he had told some
friends that he might not run If the
field was all split up agains. him, he
certainly would run L he should be
the choice of the arbitration. With this
his man was accepted on the commit
tee with Meekins' knowledge and con-
sent. On the ballot the vote stood two
for Meekins and one for each Of the
other candidates, and finally the Shoe
maker and Allen representatives went
over to worden, Mr.. Meekins' repre-
sentative. and the fifth member APP
pointed by Mr.. Aney, staying by
Meekins to the last.
Meekins then accepted the result
and he, with the other losers, all signed
Worden's nomination papers. This was
several weeks ago. Last Saturday he
suddenly changed his mind and much
against the advice Of both members on
the committee who had stood by him.
IN, e-,ita ~ tho yuriffep a1Yoemanf
entered into and result previously ac-
cepted, he announces today. OF course.
the anti Mason men fear that the Ma
son faction has been able to influence
Meekins in some way unknown to
them. but Meekins himself claims that
Shoemaker was a "phony" candidate
put up to plug" the committee against
him. Had Shoemaker's member not
been accepted the committee would
probably have deadlocked, and would
have been compelled to call in other
arbitrators who might have decided
against Meekins anyway, 20 his claim,
if well founded. gives 20 assurance
that the result would have been other
wise.
MT. Worden, when seen about the
matter replied, II have nothing to say.
signed the contract with Meekins
and intended to keep it if lost. He
evidently intended to do so, too, for he
accepted the result and signed my
nomination papers right there. II he
has changed Ms mind now, that is his
business. am running for sheriff and
will resign my position with Britain
| & Co. April I, to devote my time to my
| candidacy"