Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-10-28
JACKSON COUNTY AND THE
COUNTY COURT.

termined on November D, that more |
vitally concerns the interests of the
county at large and the welfare of
every taxpayer than the choice of the
man who shall serve as county judge
for the next four years.
From the very nature of the office |
and the powers delegated to it, the
county judge can do more for the
development of the county, in every
precinct and along every line of in
dustry, than any other official with
in the county.
1t follows that an incompetent,
weak or reckless county judge can
work irreparable injury to the coun-
ty at large and can burden the indi-
vidual taxpayers with a staggering
load of debt.
Jackson county is at precisely that
| stage of development where reckless
enthusiasm may easily supplant
sane, deliberate judgment. The
needs of the county are great. Its
| undeveloped resources are demand
ing attention. It's outlying districts
must be made more easy of access.
The next four years should mark a
wonderful advance along all agricul-
tural, commercial and industrial
lines. The situation requires firm
guiding hand and an experience far
beyond the ordinary, for the accom-
plishmeDt of the best results.
The voters are called upon to
make their choice between George
w. Dunn and F. L. Tou Velle. Both
men have warm personal friends. In
this campaign, however, personal
friendship has been obliged to give
way to public expediency.
Mr.. Tou Velle has, to the best of
our information, never held public
office. He has been for some years
a resident of Medford and has been
! engaged in private business. His
knowledge of Jackson county is linn
| tied, he has no acquaintance with
! the needs of outlying districts, and
has no experience in public affairs.
His view of county politics must nee
essarily reflect the views of his
friends and business associates, and
it is well known that many of his
closest friends and associates are
that little group of politicians who
have for years been known as the
'Mail-Tribune gang"
During the last four years this
| group of men have dictated the ac-
ton of the county court. To less
extent the same men have succeeded
in manipulating the affairs of the
city of Medford. Their management
of county affairs, through the office
of the county court, has, in four
years, placed on the county an un-
authorized debt of over half a mil
lion dollars. Their influence in city
affairs has resulted in some magnifi-
cent Improvements for the city of
Medford, but these improvements
have been recklessly made at an ex-
pense to the taxpayers of that city
which has in many cases worked
frightful hardships.
The election of F. L. Tou Velle
will mean the continued domination
of the Mail-Tribune and "the gang"
in county affairs, Mr.. Tou Velle's
disclaimer to the contrary notwith-
standing. There is no question that
he is in close touch with these men
There is no quest on that his view
of public affairs would reflect their
view There is no question but that
he would have everything to learn
upon entering on the duties of coun-
ty judge, and no one can doubt that
he would find his instructors and
mentors among the members of the
same "Mail-Tribune gang"
George w. Dunn REQUIRES no in
struction as to the duties of the Of
fice His term as county judge, be-
ginning eight years ago and termin-
ating four years later, was one of
the most successful, from every
standpoint, that the county had ever
had He knows Jackson county
thoroughly, in every precinct and
every county. He knows every de-
tail of the work of the office. He
is in every sense of the word pro-
gressive man, but he does not and
will not allow his progressiveness to
outrun the laws of Oregon. When
he reaches the point where the law
says, THUS far shalt thou go, and
no farther" at that point Mr.. Dunn
VIII call a halt. His record is be-
fore the people. They know what
to expect from him and they know
that his tenure of office will be
marked by progressiveness, sound
business judgment and absolute hon
esty in dealing with public funds and