The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-24
is UP TO TWO men
Thomas and Sessions PrOmi-
nent in POstOffice Race.
Appointment of Layton to Fed
eral oh Removes Candidate.
BOYD is STILL IN RUNNING
Thomas Worked for Senator
Capper Many Years.
New Element Enters Shawnee
County Political Situation.
BOYD is STILL IN RUNNING
BY WALT MARKLEY.

The appointment of Oran Layton.
register of deeds, as receiver of the
local United States land office, has
removed a formidable man from the
race for postmaster of Topeka. The
postmastership has now settled down
to two men, in the opinions of the
dopesters - Richard Thomas and
Charles Sessions.
While there are other men still in
the ru1 ing it is believed that the
choice for the job lies between Ses-
sions and Thomas. Tom Boyd, county
treasurer is still a candidate and has
by no means given up the fight. He
was endorsed by the Shawnee County
Republican central committee, which
often proves a powerful factor in get
ting the nomination. Matt Weight
man. representative of the Thirty
fourth district of Shawnee county, is
also in the running.
May Follow Capper's Wishes.
But since Layton's appointment to
the land office came thru Senator
Curtis it is altogether probable that
Senator Capper's wishes will be fol-
lowed in :aSming the postmaster, and
it is known that Capper's affections
lie with Thomas and Sessions. 1t is
even likely that he will ignore the en-
dorsement of the county central COM
mittee in making the appointment.
This line of reasoning eliminates
Boyd and Weightman, leaving the
chances with Thomas and Sessions.
Thomas worked for Capper many
years and was clerk of the district
court in 1912. Sessions is managing
editor Of the Topeka Daily Capital. 1t
is only reasonable to suppose that
Sessions can have the job if he wants
1t. therefore, unless Capper considers
ne IS worth more to him in his pres
ent position than he would be as post
master.
If the latter is true. or if Sessions
S,eC TO accept the appointment,
the appointment of Thomas is re-
garded as practically certain How
ever, death and taxes being the only
certain things in the world, and poll
TICS being one of the most uncertain
elements, the dope may be all wrong.
Time alone will tell.
A New Element
In the meantime a new element has
Deen thrown into county politics by
the announcement that two new men
are in the race for county commits
sioner from the Third district. A kind
OF open season seems to have been
oeciared on Boyd Pollom, who is ask
ing for third term.
One of the new men is John Ostrand
OF Menoken township, who served as
undersheriff when Bert Lucas was
sheriff. Ostrand is said to have
nice organization behind him, and NAV
show his opponents something in the
way of speed
The other new man is E. G. Girls
void, present trustee of RossvilIe
township, and it is evident that the
HossVliIe citizens are going to back
nm up. This little city has not had a
Rossviue man on the county board
since since, sam Kerr served in the late
nlhetles, and evidently considers that
now IS a good time to come back.
Witler viii Not Enter Race.
Close upon the heels of the two new
entries comes statement from E. e.
Wleter' RossVille farmer, that he DOS
luveiy viii not run for the office. I'll
mad formerly been rumored that Wit
Ter would be a candidate. But the
dopesters now claim that Witter is
gong to throw his support to Girls
void. This leaves the lineup as fol-
lows; Boyd Pollom, present commits
sioner, asking for third term; Eu-
gene Hays, North Topeka commission
merchant; w. S. Robinson, of Soldier
township; E. E. Griswold trustee of
Rossville township and John Ostrand,
of Menoken township.
whereas it was first thought that
the race for register of deeds would
be the only interesting note in the
coming primary it now appears that
the office of commissioner from the
Third district will prove an object of
carnage and bloodshed, figuratively
speaking. With the extensive lineup
and the formidable following claimed
Tor each of these men, it is certain
that the strife will be fierce.
No new developments have appeared
In any of the other offices. In most
eases the present incumbent is asking
Tor a second term and no opposition is
expected. 1t is customary to give
Shawnee county officers two trips to
the bat. But when it comes to the
third term-well, the Third district is
an example.