Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-03-28
RACES WARM UP
In WEBSTER AS
PRIMARY NEARS
Presidential Preference
Muddle Fails To Cause
Ripple There

SOh llIo Ine georgia pfeSldentlaI
preference primary April 20, has
caused only ripple on the political
waters in Webster county, for Web
ster will hold primary of her own
on that date in which local issues /
are involved-and home issues are
usually warmer and more interesting
than those embracing more territory |
In fact, things political are begin
nlng to get rather warm in Webster.
with the various candidates keeping
the roads hot interviewing voters.
The race of chief interest, as has
come to be the case generally in this
section of Georgia, is that for the
office of sheriff, upon the holder of
which devolves in large measure
the enforcement of the anti-liouor
laws. In this race the present sher-
itf, c. M. Christian, known from one
end of the county to the other as an
uncompromising foe of the blind
tiger, is being opposed by C. w.
Manghum, we'll known citizen of
the county to whom, whether he will
it or not, is said to, have been thrown
the support of the more literally in
clined element. Mr.. Manghum op-
posed Mr.. Christian for the same of
flee four years ago and was defeated
by only 10 votes. Because of Mr..
Christians record during those four
years in making it warm for the
makers and sellers of illicit liquor,
his friends are predicting his re-
election by a more substantial ma
jority this time Mr.. Manghum's
supporters, on the other hand, see
that ten-vote shortage of four years
ago overcome with a safe margin
besides.
Five for Tax Receiver.
The race of next interest is that
for tax receiver in which five have
entered. There were six in the race
until w. B. JONES withdrew from
what appeared to him to be an over
crowded field. The entrants for this
office are R. H. Cosby, incumbent;
H. F. Goss, Dave Deekle, F. F. Cobb
and E. Novel;.
Colonel Jim" R. Stapleton, ordi-
nary, is candidate for reelection
and is opposed by Col. M. A. Walker
and .. R. Magill, both of Preston.
Col. Stapleton is the only old soldier
candidate in the county in this cam
! pafgn. He is now nearly ~ years of
age and was only 16 when he went
to the war. He has served his native
county of Webster in office for the
last 22 years. During the first eight
of that period he was county super
lntendent of schools. He then spent
four years as county commissioner,
two years he was state senator from
his district, and for the last eight
years he has been ordinary. He is
still active and able to look after the
affairs of the office in an efficient
manner. Col. Walker, one of his op-
ponents, is son of the late J. P.
Walker, of Preston, who was an un-
successful opponent of Col Stapleton
In his race for the state senate and
also the first time he offered for or
dinary. In connection with his ex-
perience in the Confederate army,
Col Stapleton the other day was tell
ing of an unusual experience. His
father and two brothers were also
in the Confederate army, and dur
ing the battle of Peachtree Greek,
just north of Atlanta, the father and
three sons chanced to meet on the
battle line, although not of the same
commands.
Drew Would Come Back"
For tax collector H. B. Reeves, the
incumbent, is being opposed by S.
0. Brightwell, of near Weston.
Col j. F. Souter, county superin-
tendent of schools, has opposition in
the person of Cleveland Reese.
The candidates for two places on
the board of county commissioners
are j. w. Adams and j. w. Russell,
incumbents, and G. A. Drew and j.
NJ. Cantrell, all good men. 1t has
been recalled in connection with this
race that Mr.. Drew was member of
the board that built the magnificent
court house that stands in Preston
as monument to the board and the
county, which board was put out of
office by the voters at the next elec-
ton following it's erection. The
court house, a thoroughly modern
and efficient building, was erected at
the beginning of the war, before the
United States entered the conflict, at
a total cost of 5,867.10. 1t is es-
timated the building could not be du-
plicated today for $4,000, and the
good judgment of the board in erect
ing the structure so economically at
that time is now being commended.
The total cost to the county was $15,.
900, that being the amount of the
bond issue which was voted. The
commissioners sold these bonds at a
premium of $500, and when the last
payments for the building came due
it was found that $67.10 was needed
to hquidate all accounts, and the
! county officials made up purse
among themselves and paid the
amount. Mr.. Drew's candidacy i;
regarded by his friends as giving the
; people an opportunity to approve the
2 work of the board at this late date
after approval had been withheld ir
!, the previous election.
Only two county officers are un