Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1926-10-21

hS AiISI HlSellllS VI lilc county
candidates was held in the little
schOolhouse on North Fork last
Thursday afternoon, with about 25
or 30 citizens in attendance. Sheriff
l.. M. Farthing called the meeting to
order and presented the candidates.
Thomas H. Coffey, Democratic can
didate for the house of representa-
tlves, was not present, being kept
away on account of illness, but Sher-
iff Farthing presented Mr.. Coffey's
cause very briefly. Candidates for
register of deeds, coroner, surveyor
and county commissioners on both
tickets were not in attendance.
The citizens gave close and respect
full attention to what each candidate
had to say, none of whom had any
criticism of his opponent, and there
was no ill feeling exhibited by any,
one, each candidate presenting his
claim for support on his record or
fitness for the office for which he is
aspiring.
Clerk of the Court
The first candidate presented was
Mr.. A. w. Smith, candidate for re-
election for clerk of the court, who
said he had given the best service of
which he was capable during his six
years of incumbency. His books, he
said, had been inspected by two au-
ditors and various grand juries and
each had pronounced them o. k. Said
no one could say that he had treated
anybody, regardless of politics, with
anything other than the greatest
courtesy, and if elected would en-
deavor to discharge the duties de-
volved upon him in the same way as
heretofore.
Mr.. A. E. South, democratic can
Cidate for clerk, announced his can
didacy by saying he felt that he was
thoroughly competent to discharge
the duties of the office, and would
appreciate the support given him.
Sheriff
Mr.. W. H. Gragg, Republican as
pirant for sheriff, said he was glad
to be in North Fork, and wanted the
support of the township. Was unani-
mously nominated for the office by
the Republican county convention a
few weeks ago, and wanted enough
votes to be elected on November 2.
If elected he would make the best
sheriff he could. Would, in the dis
charge of his duties, play the part of
the golden rule, "Do unto others as
you would have them do unto you"
Said he would keep an office open in
Boone for 365 days in the year, with
telephone connections to all parts of
the county. Would set up and keep
good set of books, open at all times
for public inspection. Said he had
nothing to say against his opponent,
that the only harm he wished to do
him was to receive more votes on
election than Mr.. Farthing.
Mr.. Gragg, in conclusion, presented
the cause of Mrs. Pearl Hartley, Re-
publican candidate for register of
deeds
Sheriff L. M. Farthing appreciated
the support given him two years ago,
and should l be defeated I shall ever
remember the confidence placed in
me by the people. Has discharged.
the duties of his office without fear
or favor and has endeavored to serve
all the people to the best of his abili-
ty, and should he be elected again
would continue to to serve you the
best l can. He also said an office
should be opened in Boone and had
been endeavoring to do so, and if re-
elected thought this would be an
accomplished fact. 81 have made
mistakes and will make them again,
but the experience Of the past two
years has taught me many things and
if again elected sheriff will profit by
the mistakes of the past"
- Sheriff Farthing annunced the
candidacy of Mrs. Ora Brown for the
office of register of deeds on the
Democratic ticket.
County Treasurer
Mr.. Spencer Miller, Republican
candidate for treasurer, said he was
glad to be back in the township
where, fifteen years ago, he began his
career as school teacher. Said he
served in the World War, and asked
the citizens to elect him county treas
urer Would do all he could to keep
the office in good shape.
Emery Greer said he had been
treasurer for two years and had tried
to keep the books of the office in
good shape. Said two auditors had
complimented him on the way in