The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-10
SHERIFF RACE
CHANGES LOOK
Van Pelt's Chances Appear
Strengthened by Alleged De-
SertiOns From Ellis Ranks
WHITAKER is GAINING
Situation Presents Complexities
Occasioned by Possibility of
Double Crossing.
BY LUCKY BALDWIN.

BY LUCKY BALDWIN,.
It is interesting to note that the
county commissioners have had the
clock in the courthouse over-hauled.
T. T. Wentworth, Jr., announced a
couple Of weeks ago that he was go
ing to have the job done IL he were
elected to the board, even il he had
to pay for it out of his own pocket.
And now the county board has beat
him to the honor. Well, T. T. started
it anyway.
1t wouldn't have been right to let
the clock story go by without mention
ing it, that's why I started with that
instead of with the sherMf's race.
And it's developing into some race.
For some weeks it has appeared
that Cary Ellis would beat exSheriff
Van Pelt with Whitaker third. During
the past week. however, there has been
considerable change in the lineup of
some Of the city forces, several Ellis
workers having shifted to Van Pelt.
Country reports indicate that Van Pelt
is regaining much of his lost ground
in the outlying precincts.
AS for Ellis, his lineup is directly
the reverse of Van Pelt. The deser-
tions from the Ellis ranks in the city
indicate a weakening, although the
extent cannot be gagged. Mr.. Ellis
has a lot of strength and much of it
cannot be touched. 1t is possible the
changed conditions will result in split
ting up the city vote between Ellis
and Van Pelt.
This naturally leads to the question
of where Whitaker is coming in. There
is a tremendous amount of Whitaker
talk everywhere, indicating that he is
running and is formidable candidate.
A good many wise politicians assert
that Whitaker will get a strong coun-
try vote, in spite of Van Pelts long
residence and work among the country
voters.
1t is quite evident that Whitaker
will get a lot of votes in the city.
While it is true that Whitaker is a
Cats appointee he is holding down
his office by virtue of being sheriff.
On several occasions recently, at
tempts have been made to coerce him
and TO cajole him. Saturday night
was arrested for curslns
and being disorderly. He told the po'
lice that he was a privileged char
acter and demanded that he be re-
leased. He was released on bond and
a few minutes later the sheriff picked
him up on the charge OF being drunk.
To- the sheriff's mind he was not sur
ficiently sober to be at large ana
threats of political vengeance were
The youngster was stiii
n the county hoos-gow up to late last
night.
This is lust one example of the fact |
hat no matter by what virtue Whit |
aker went into office he is holding II
oy being the boss of the job. IL IS
,uite true that Whitaker lacks ex-
perience. but he is fast gaining tnat.
What else he needs, determination ana |
inst nIain CUTS, he has. This isn't a
,afanse of Whitaker. It's statement
IF fact.
The sheriff's race today presents the
most complex situation imaginable III
jan Pelt cuts into Ellis city strength,
which is the result the alleged deser-
ions will bring about, he VIII De
elected. perhaps. But there are those
Who assert the desertions are long
vav from being bona -fide and that IL
: the old, Cd, game of spending one
mans money to feed another man
mare. Ellis is still strong. Whitaker
! gaining. The primary is four weeks
way. I