The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-12-09
PRESENT CLERK
FILLS VACANCY
Joint Action is Taken by
Judges in Statement Is
sued Today.
SAYS "BEST SOLUTION
Has Served in Excellent, Man
ner in the Office Of
Court Clerk

In a formal statement issued just
before noon today, Judge E. B. Belden
of the circuit court, acting under the
authority given him by the Wisconsin
laws, formally appointed Benjamin M.
DeDiemar as clerk Of the circuit court
Of Kenosha county for the coming two
years. He will fill the vacancy caused
by the tragic death Of Andrew
Schwartz two weeks ago today.
In making the appointment of Clerk
DeDiemar, Judge Belden conferred
with Judge George w. Taylor of the
county court. This action was taken
on account of the fact that the clerk
of the circuit court also serves in the
capacity Of register in probate. The
two judges gave out statement
signed jointly this morning. The
statement follows:
Statement of Judge BeIden.
"Unless change is to be made in
the clerkship of the circuit court,
there is no ab4olute necessity for
making an appointment. If no ap-
pointment were made, the incumbent
would hold over until his successor is
duly elected and qualified.
"The incumbent, who has been sew
eral times elected to the office, was
defeatd at. the last general election,
not for personal reasons or wan of
efficiency, as we understand it, but
in consequence of a national political
L - T.
wise rejecting upon or concerning his
administration of his Office, and
wholly without local significance. The
political change was national. Local
results were merely incidental to the
national result.
DeDiemar Had Large Vote.
GAS a part of this political revolu-
ton the late Andrew J. Schwartz was
elected clerk of the circuit court for
Kenosha county by vote of 1925.
The next highest, and only other. can
didate, was Benjamin M. DeDiemar,
who received 5,203 votes. The vote
between these two candidates appears
to have been closer than the vote be-
tween candidates for any other county
office. 1t would seem that the ex-
pressed wish Of nearly one-half of the
voters should have consideration and
respect, the efficiency of the man thus
voted for not being in question.
Furthermore, regardless of political
utilization, all members of the bar of
Kenosha county, save one in writing
heartily recommended appointment
of the present incumbent. Like en-
dorsement is also made by others fire.
quently having business with the
office.
AS to Other Applicants.
"Otherl persons have manifested
willingness to occupy this office, who
would undoubtedly prove efficient,
with experience, and whose personal
ity would be entirely agreeable to the
judges and others having business
with the clerk of the circuit court.
".The clerk Of the circuit court is
ex officio register in probate of the
county court of Kenosha county, and
is daily in intimate relation with the
Judge of the county court. Therefore
have conferred fully with Judge
Taylor concerning this matter.
considering all the conditions and
circumstances, no cause being made
for not continuing the incumbent in
office, the conclusion is reached that
when a vacancy occurs, at the termin-
alton of the incumbent's present term,
the logical thing to do is to appoint
BENJAMIN M. DeDiemar clerk Of the
circuit court of Kenosha county, Wis
/ consin.
E. B. BELDEN,
Circuit, Judge"
The foregoing statement and con-
clusion has my entire approval
GEO. W. TAYLOR, county judge Of
Kenosha county.
Many Sought Appointment.
There had been number Of candi-
dates for the appointment and some
| of the leaders of the Republican party
had urged upon Judge Belden the ap-
pointment of a Republican on account
of the fact that Republican had been
named at the recent elections. There
were also many requests to the judge
for the reappointment of Clerk DeDie-
mar. Petitions for his reappointment
were signed by every member Of the
bar with one exception.
An interesting little feature which
followed the appointment of Clerk
1 DeDiemar this morning was his an
nouncement that he would consider it
his duty as well as his pleasure to
pay the campaign expenses of his late
/ nnnonent