The Hattiesburg news., 1915-03-04
CLAUDE HILL WILL
NOT Be CANDIDATE
FOR REELECTION
COUNTY ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES
THAT HE WILL NOT ENTER
THE RACE.
LEAVES FIELD OPEN
FOR OTHER CANDIDATES.
Statement Today Causes Much
Surprise In Political Circlss-WtW
Devote Entire Time to Private Prae-
tice-First to be Elected to Position
He Now Holds.

The first real surprise of the present
political season came this morning
when Claude Hill, County Attorney of
this county for the past four years.
announced that he would not be can
didate for reelection. ...-t
When the Board of Supervisors, who
are in close touch with the county
attorneyship, learned OF this decision.
they expressed general surprise. Mr.
Hills unusually efficient work In this
office has earned for him an admir-
able reputation throughout the county,
and his friends believed his chances
for reelection were SO bright that he
could not afford to pass up the oppor-
tunity. ,...
! Determination to devote himself to
the practice of his profession is the
reason for Mr., Hills withdrawal from
the race. In his four years Of service
he has found that the county attor-
ney's duties occupied practically all
his time, and he believes the time Is
now ripe for him to turn his attention
to the pursuit of the profession which
will be his life-work.
i Mr.. HilPs withdrawal has left the
path open to new aspirants and indi
cations are that the fight for the office
will be lively. Anderson Foote and
John Haney, both prominent young at
torneys, are announcing their candi
dacy in other columns of todays News
and it is rumored there will be Other
candidates within few days. y
First To Be Elected. $40
Claude Hill Is the first and only
county attorney the voters of Forres
county have ever elected and hi!
his record has at all times been abov'
reproach. He has never hesitated II
his prosecution of law-breakers, ye
his fairness and justice have served t.
augment the esteem in which he Il
generally held
During his incumbency, the gran'
-, jury terms have been materially short
, ened, thus saving the taxpayers
good sum of money each year. MI
:, Hill is due much credit for this, as h
, accomplished it by summoning tn
witnesses before the grand jury met
!, so that the jury was ready for bus
+ ness as soon as 1t was empanelled. H
q has striven successfully in other way
g to save the taxpayers as much none
l. as possible.
d One evidence of his popularit
a among the voters occurred thre
years ago when the legislature autho
s lied the voters of each county to d.
/. eide, by general election, whether the
d would retain the office. Forrest coul
a ty's majority in favor of preservin
the office was one of the largest in tn
state.
Appreciates Support.
II appreciate the support that he
been given me throughout the fol-
years l have served the county" sal
!" Mr.. Hill today, "but believe the tin
is now ripe for me to devote myself
my private practice. and 1t is not 20
o. sible for me to do this and at the san
= time fll the county attorneyship Il
= way 1t should be filed.
n. II withdraw from the race solely f
this reason and not In the interest
r.. any prospective candidate, and wa
m. to thank the people for the coniiden
he they have placed in me by twice elet
is. ing me to the office am vacatipg."
Among the most important duties
the county attorneyship is that of q
vising the Board of Supervisors as
the legality of the various matte
on they have under consideration.
n. this work Mr. Hill has been faithi
s; at all times. and has won the person