The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-03
SHERIFF RACE
IS CLOSING UP
Ex-Sheriff Van Pelt Has Beer
Regaining Some of His Lost
GrOund-Others Strong.
SCHOOL OFFICE SOUGHT
Three Candidates for Clerk OF
Circuit Court Appear to Be
Strong Men i'm Race.
(sy LUCKY BALDWIN,

Icy LOChf BALDWIN,
The week just passed has been i'm
portant in political circles because OF
the closing up of the race for sheriff
the entrance of a new candidate in
the. race for superintendent of public
instruction and the renewed interest
in the possibilities of the campaign
for clerk of the circuit court
Sheriff Whitaker, whose most ardent
enemies have unwittingly, q use the
word advisedly) given him great help,
has showed marked increase in
strength and has become a really for.
midablc contender for the Democratic
nomination. For weeks before he an
nounced, Mr.. Whitaker had considered
entering the campaign and was al
most on the point of deciding to stay
out, it is understood, when certain
clever schemers suggested to him tina;
he could win, and showed him why.
Naturally enough, the intent was te
make Hurts the goat. He was sched.
uled to carry the banner while some.
body else pocketed the loot. But Jus.
tice, she who is pictured as the blind
goddess, has taken a hand in the turr
of events and those who put Hurti:
in would be doggone glad to get hin
out.
They are in the position OF the sor
of Erin who climbed a tree to shak,
down wildcat. He shook and tn,
wildcat came down on him. Aftel
viewing the resulting excitement for
few hectic minutes another Irishmar
who was present asked: Pat. do yot
want me to help you hold him."
Great guns, no." Pat replied. Hell
me let go of him."
And so the tale wanders to its wea--.
close.
Carry Ellis is still strong and VII
poll a great city vote. He has IN
support of smoothly working machirl
and expects TO go into office with
big majority.
Now, here's where the Irishmeu corr.
in. Those who first gave whitaE5,
encouragement are busy as the pr ~
verbal bug in a rug turning whstak
voters back to James C. Van PeIt. A.
the work is showing results. The e.
sheriff has gained considerable strengi
in the past week. Several countir
precincts which looked shaky are grad.
ually returning TO the fold. Just wha.
effect the boomerang will have OF
Ellis is hard to tell but it is concede.
by many wise dopesters that the pres,
ent chief of police must maintain
rapid pace in order to stay ahead
the Whitaker strength coIlapses.
The entrance OF Arthur w Davl
into the race for superintendent q
public instruction and the announce.
ment of A. S. Edwards as a candidate
for denomination has created nev
source of interest. Mr.. Davis is a mem
Der of the bar. Mr.. Edwards as incum.
bent, is just completing a term. Tn
school system is generally conceded L
be in need of reorganization. Their
is no unity between the high schoo
and the grammar schools. They ar
In the same condition as the vsrion
allied. commands were before they wer,
unified under Foch.
Mr.. Edwards is not blamed f,.< In,
situation but it exists and a remed,
should be found. Mr. Edwards haJ
worked under difficulties. Books wer
weeks and months late arriving las
Fall. The present school buildings an
too small and the high school buildinI
is disgrace to the city. Many Pen
sacola residents have repeatedly re-
terated these statements.
AS for Mr.. Davis he is unknown 4E
cept as member of the bar. He wa
special agent of the Depart
nent Of Justice and has been halle,
IN newspaper articles as one of IN,
heroes Of A. Mitchell Palmer's anti-res
raids. He is also credited with hav
ng been instrumental I'm the captur
of one BergdoIl, a draft-evader sine
found guilty by courtmartiaI
AS for the race for clerk OF the cir
cuit court in which James Macgibbor
Incumbent, Herbert p. Caro- and L. W
Hardy are entered, there appears Z
De some doubt as to the relative vote
getting ability Of the candidates.
Mr.. Macgibbon has held the offic
'or long time. has become well know.
rs a careful official and has earne,
he title Of the watch dog of tn
reasury." He has not hesitated 10 pre-
vent irregularities even in the face O
:ensure. And he has been upheld b.
he courts on every occasion.
The most recent example of thf
vas in his refusal to draw checks +
advance for paying the expenses c
VI the county boaru 10 90
The expenses were late
guaranteed by the joint good road
commission. Mr.. Macgibbon naintaine
hat the county board never had Oh
aimed anything by going TO Talla
lassee. On this occasion the com
nissioners reported on returning tha
he State Road Department had agree
TO pass resolutions authorizing IN
expenditure Of certain funds on a con
:rete road at Pine Barren. The Jour
laPs capital correspondent. who is
,arefui newspaper writer. made
mention Of the passage Of such resc
utions when sending the summary
he meeting after IL had adjourned. Til