The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-07-27
Makes Statement in Regard
to His Part in Connec-
ton With Mixup.
CALLED FOR 900"
Says That NOn-Partisans We're
Advised Not to File With
Less Than 800 Names.

Frank S. Symmonds, district attor-
ney, who insists that an effort has
been made to make him "the goat" in
the situation caused by lack of sigma
lures on the primary petitions, gave
out statement over his signature at
noon today in which he told of his
own actions and in which he stated
that he had made an appeal to the
attorney general for ruling. It was
rumored that Assistant Attorney Cen
eral Hoyt had ruled that the plain
reading of the law must be followed,
In his statement Mr.. Symmonds says:
Editor of Kenosha Evening News:
Dear Sir:-It has been rumored that
l am to be the goat in the situation
caused by misinformation having been
given out to the voters of Kenosha
county regarding nomination papers.
/ will say frankly, that I have devoted
but very little time to the matter of
election for the reason that have had
no time because of the pressing duties
of the office. I have interested myself
but very little in what was being done
politically; the only work that I have
done was regarding my own papers and
l don't think 4 devoted more than five
hours time altogether on that and
this was outside Of Office hours. No
opinion from the county clerks Office
was ever presented from me, excepting
one regarding certain party who had
la Il ha4I,
cratic papers and who made affidavit
that he would support each of the can
didates. This opinion was asked of me
when | was in matter of vital i'm
portance before Judge Slater last night
about nine o'clock.
gave my opinion at that time and
also sent Mr.. Stephenson over to
straighten out the situation. After we
were through in this meeting / went
over myself to see that the thing had
been properly Strengthened out and it
was then l learned for the first time
from the county clerks Office that they
had been giving out figures based upon.
the vote for governor. I Immediately
informed the deputy, who was in the
office, and this was about nine-thirty,
that it was my opinion that the basis
of figuring should be upon the vote
of the party for the presidential cleo
tor receiving the largest vote at the
last preceding presidential election.
The deputy stated that it was her firm
belief that she was right and 1 sin
o1xY h11s l,o4 IL, ,nrLk
and called attention to the statutes,
Section sos, Paragraph 6, Subsections
and D and to the Blue Book with
reference to the vote for the presi-N
Dental elector. I also told the deputy
clerk that she had had wide experience
in the matter and that if she had any
authority to substantiate her claim
that the number of signers was based
upon the governor vote, that | would
be pleased to know of it as that I
might myself, be wrong and it was then
we found out that l was right and she
get busy on the telephone and notify
all that she could, which she did.
AS I said before, 1 have given but
very little time and thought to cleo
ton matters and had a right to as
sumo that if any county official was
uncertain as to the law, that he would
consult with me about it, as it is my
duty upon request from any county
official to give my advice and my
opinion as to the law.
Non-Partisans Were Notified.
The so-called "Non-Partisan" candi-
dates seem to be the hardest hit, but
/ remember distinctly that went over
to the Office of Mr.. Carlson with some
nomination papers that had been left
with me as / felt that l could not
circulate them and was first informed
that evening that there was a meeting
on of the so-called "Non-P artisans"
and went over there for the purpose
of delivering these nomination papers.
While only there but q short time
certain figures were given out as to
the number Of signers to nomination
papers; don't recall what the figures
were but they were below the 800 mark
and l knew that 800 would be safe
figure to go by, but / did not at that
time know the exact figures. I imme-
diately informed all those present at
that meeting that it would not be safe
for them to file papers for county of
ficials with less than 800 names on
their nomination papers. Mr.. Kuehnl
was present at the time as we'll as the
majority of the Non-Partisan candi-
dates as recall. Of course if people
do not care to take the opinion of the
district attorney that is their blame
and not ours. Mr.. Holderness has
held the Office Of county clerk for sew.