The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-31
Markey and Wilson GrOOmed to Battle
Judqe Baker for Criminal Court Bench
Pair Urged to Make Race
for Democratic
Nomination.
BY DICK MILLER
Times staff Writer

ANY Likelihood that the incumbent
Judge Frank P Baker will be I'M
opposed for the Democratic nomina-
ton for the criminal court bench
in the May primaries was dissipated
today as several outstanding candi-
dates were reported preparing to
make the race.
Regarded "out in front" in the
field of prospective candidates are
Joseph Markey, prominent attorney,
and Prosecutor Herbert Wilson.
Either might obtain the backing
of the regular county organization
which regards Judge Baker as
somewhat of an insurgent. Since
the last county election, he has
banded himself with County Auditor
Charles Grossart and Circuit Judge
Earl Cox in what has become known
as the Bakers Cox roSsart faction
and which already has made its
power felt in county politics.
Its strength made itself evident
IN the recent contest or the county
commissionership vacated by death
Of Thomas Ellis. Mrs. Ellis was the
regular organization CHOICE, but
Ernest Marker, another commits
sioner, threw his vote to Gossart
and John Mann was named.
Depends on Amity
How many candidates may be
brought out against Judge Baker
depends upon the degree of amity
reached between the courthouse, city
hall and statehouse groups, accord
ing to observers.
Mr.. Markey is reported by friends
as being unlikely to make a bid
voluntarily for the criminal bench,
but might turn a receptive ear to a
summons from the organization. He
has some claims for political prefer
ment, his indorsers point out, be-
cause the McNutt administrations
skip-election bill nullified Mr.. Mark
ey's candidacy for mayor.
Too, Mr.. Markey was considered
carefully for the municipal court
three bench which went to Dewey
Myers and it is reported that back
room politics" saved him for the
criminal bench race.
There is some feeling among
members of one faction of the
Democratic party that Herbert Will
son might be tossed into the pit
against Judge Baker.
The prosecutor was known as
pirant for mayor some time ago,
but since has indicated he may seek
the superior court bench which
would be vacated by Judge Russell
Ryan, if the latter runs for mayor.
Wilson May Enter Lists
These politicians are reported to
feel that Mr. Markey would be a
better man for superior court than
Mr.. Wilson and that the latter
would make a good successor to the
incumbent Judge Baker.
In the Republican lineup, both
Ralph Span and Fred R. Bonif1eld,
both prominent attorneys, are well
up in the batting order.
Mr.. Span is reported to be the
favorite of George v. (Cap) Cof-
fin, who achieved the title of Boss"
in the D. C. Stephenson control of
state politics. Caps" political pres
tige has bloSSomed and waned and
blossomed again, and his most re-
cent political alignment is reported
to be with William Chg Bib Armi-
tage.
Big Bills" political loyalties
have not been always the most
steadfast, although he bears the Re-
publican stamp, but his ability to
swing the city's Negro wards entitle
him to plenty of attention from
any one seeking any Office.
Now a ward chairman, Mr.. Boni-
field will put up stiff battle for
organization support, according to
his hackers, and he already claims
the adherence Of a majority Of the
ward chairmen and precinct COM
mitteemen.
Mr.. BonifieId will resign his ward
craftsmanship soon and if he incurs
Cap" Collins displeasure, he will
have his place filed by County
Chairman Edgar Hart, generally re-
puted a Coffin man.
A group Of fledgling politicians,
who are trying their wings tentative
ly. may put up fight for Judge
William H. Sheaffer of municipal
court four. Judge Sheaffer's term
expires this year.
Members of this pro-Sheatfer
group include a number of young
attorneys and recruits from the VIII.
liam Remy-Judson Stark factions to
whom the mention of Coffinism IS
anathema.
Hourly Temperatures
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