The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-19
POLITICAL
SIGNIFICANCE TO
SUSPENSION Of
TWO ShER|FFS
WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE
SUSPENSION OF HILLSB0R-
OUCH AND PALM BEACH SHER.
IFS IS MATTER OF CONJEC.
TURE
(By Claude f. johnson. }

Tallahassee. Fla, April i9-Much
political significance can be placed
on the action of Governor Tammell,
in the action taken In suspending
Sheriffs Spencer, of Hillsborough,
and Baker, Of Palm Beach, charges
against who have been pending
some time. Governor Trammell is
an announced candidate for con-
gressman in the first congressional
district. in which Hillsborough is
located. The action in removing
Sheriff Spencer, who is lifelong
friend of the governor. for the non
performance Of his duties. is but
natural under the circumstances, as
charges were entered against Mr..
Spencer some time ago, But for the
fact that Senator Hudson, OF Miami,
Is also a candidate for governor to
succeed Mr.. Trammell, might not be
thought to have any copnectiOn with
the manner in which the cases have
been handled, since the duty Of the
governor in these cases is plain, II
he wishes to carry out his sworn in
Here is where the political phase
enters. These suspensions are made
to be effective May 10, and if the
senate fails to sustain the suspen-
sion by removal effective that date,
the governor shall have to appoint
successors to act until the senate ad
jOurns when under the law the SEN
ate failing to act, the persons sus-
pended resume their duties and lose
nothing in the way of salary. In
making the suspension, the governor
urged the senate to act, and today
no action was taken, which indicates
that certain senators have interced-
ed in the matter, not realizing that
the governor is shifting RESPONSE
bility for removal. II Senators
Drane. Hines. and Senator Hudson.
who might be interested, refuses to
act the men will be automatically re-
instated at the close of the session
and the governor will be relieved OF
the stigma placed on him for not
doing his duty. but being hampered
by the senate. Senator Hudson is
from the East Coast.
Since Senator Hines is mention
ed as a candidate for congress his
holding up the removal with TIN as
sistance of Senator Drane would
naturally effect their candidacy for
the place in the first district and
Senator Hudson joining in the fight
for senatorial courtesy in withhold
ing action by the senate would
naturally have some bearing on his
candidacy for governor.
The case is an interesting one. II
! the removal is affirmed the governor
will naturally be held responsible
for the action and it will effect his
chances to some degree for political
~ cici ntnt III the HTSl ulStT1Ct, as
as well as have some bearing with
both Senators Drane and Hines. and
il the removal is withheld both men
being reinstated under the law, it
would have quite a different effect.
These men could have been re-
moved by the governor before the
senate convened, and then confirmed
by the senate, but the case would
have had different front. As it
now stands there is question as to
what will result. 1t is known that
the matter has been held up by the
senate at least for one day.
At any rate the politicians are
speculating what the latest turn In
affairs will develop. or course there
is always some one who charges
politics influence every action of a