The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-25
COUNTY POLITICS
Democratic Hopes for Three
Tickets Are Likely Vain.
Gossip Of Candidates Old and
New-Cleveland Again.

Shawnee county politicians are
watching and waiting. II the Thar
mony'' movement in the Republican
ranks is failure. the Democrats will
line out the strongest ticket they have
had in Shawnee county for years. De-
mocracy does not begin In Kansas un-
til January 5, the date for the state
wide Democratic banquet to be held in
Topeka, according to one Of the manu-
bers Of the committee. The Republic
can campaign opens January %, Kan
sas day. The Bull Moosers will gather
in the capital on Lincoln's birthday,
February %.
Most of the Republican county Off
GERS will ask for re-election-L. L.
Kiene, sheriff; Hugh Mcfarland. pro-
bate Judge; Robert Tasker. register Of
deeds; Charles Bower. clerk Of the dis
trict court: Robert Carver. judge Of the
court Of Topeka; John F. Eby. county
superintendent; A. c. Bartel, clerk OF
the court of Topeka; Oscar Swayze
county clerk.
Already two we'll known Democrats
have cast their hats in the ring. They
have not waited to announce their can
didacy next July. One is running Tor
reelection. County Attorney w. L.
Atchison, the only Democrat In tie
court house with the exception Of Conn
ty Commissioner F. b. Simms, has de-
clared his intention Of asking a second
term. Judge Atchison has made an cx-
cellent record since taking office last
January.
John M. Cleveland, one of the
strongest Democrats in the county,
wants the Office of county clerk. MI.
Cleveland won the nomination last
year on the Democratic ticket. II
there is split in the Republican
party, he is sanguine Of success. MI.
Cleveland has made no formal an
nouncement-he is awaiting develop
ments. He does not expect the pres
ent clerk a Republican, will have the
support of his entire party in view of
recent city political differences. MI.
Cleveland came to Topeka in 'S6.
and became foreman Of the Eagle CT
gar factory in 81. He has held the
position for twenty-five years, and has
seen the payroll increase from three
to fifty. While personally superin-
tending the making of 5000 cigars a
day, he has kept a keen eye on the
corner of Fifth and Van Buren,
streets. Although he has never held
Office in Kansas, he knows as much
about county politics as any Demo-
crat in Topeka
Gratis to make up their ticket at the
last possible second. A Democratic
office seeker is not anxious to face the
5000 Republican votes in Shawnee
county. He is pretty sure of defeat,
and looks about for smaller plums in
the way of appointments.
The Democrats will look eagerly
about for a candidate to step into the
county treasurer's office, to be vacated
by Matt Weightman, who has served
the two terms the law allows him.
Three Republicans have already an
nounced their candidacy in the State
Journa1@T. B. Boyd, Arthur Hargis
and E. A. Campbell. Mr.. Boyd has q
big band Of influential supporters.
It is generally conceded there isn't
a Democrat in the county strong
enough to beat L. L. Kiene, the big
Republican sheriff.
Several candidates have been an
nounced for the Office of county
commissioner. F. B. Simms' term ex-
pires next year. He isn't ready to
give up his Office. George Young, q
Democratic groceryman. 800 Saywell
street, expects to run. Three or four
Republicans from the north district
want a place on the board.
If the Standpatters and Progress
sives prepare individual tickets, the
county contest will be a warm one
Still, it is not expected they will do so
The Republicans, figuring at a mini
mum, have a majority of 1000 votes
If the vote is divided, Democrats will
cheer up and get in training for 9