Barbour County Index

There isn't a man on the Independent ticket but who is able and willing to take care of the duties of the office himself, if elected. It is easy to make a promise but it is sometimes hard to fulfill it, as several gentlemen on the republican ticket will learn should they be so unfortunate as to be elected. It is no use for our republican friends to try to work the "incompetent" racket on any of the Independent candidates this year. They are too well known for that. Republicans in different parts of the county are very much displeased that the ultimatum has gone out to sacrifice everything to save Nixon on. But those are certainly the directions. If Poley Tincher wants to make this campaign on the strength of Al Noble's law practice he ought to come out and say so plainly. His last week's puff reads that way. Does he mean it? The statement in the last issue of the Cresset with reference to a "row between Judge Lacy and the Index is another Fitch story--no truth in it. The habit has grown on the poor fellow so that he can't quit, but it would seem that he would tell some that aren't so coarse, raw and silly. Even the Imps in Sheol turn from him in disgust. The Cresset says A. W. Smith is not competent to fill the requirements of clerk of the district court. Will the Cresset please point out in what respect the duties of the office are not properly discharged. It is common comment with people of all parties that the records are in better shape than they have been for a number of years. A comparison between Mr. Smith's work and that of his predecessor will convince any honest man that Mr. Smith is the right kind of a man to fill the office.

The Cresset has discovered that F. M. Shell does not want the office of county superintendent. This is another Fitch story--wholly unauthorized. If Mr. Shell did not want the office he would not have become a candidate. It is a hard strain on a man, it would seem to us, to run for congressman and senator at the same time. Perhaps that's why Chet Long was so careful to get that damnable election law enacted. He'll have to disfranchise a lot of voters if he "gits thar." In the sheriff race the only question is Billie Haun's majority. The voters have already decided that he is the man they need for that office. All who are acquainted with him know that he is especially qualified and is a good, deserving citizen as well. With the Quantrell raid appropriation, the Botkin appropriation, the executive mansion grab, the useless offices created to make room for old political barnacles who are too trifling and onery to make an honest living-with all these things staring them in the face--Leland and his satelites have the monumental gall to boast over the record of the last legislature and ask the people to endorse it. Just think of it! The most extravagant legislature in the history of the state! Valuations and tax levies increased, and yet a deficit of more than $400,000 in the state treasurer and a self confessed embezzler to take charge of that! If the voters of Kansas are willing to take this dose, they are about ready to open the doors of our jails and penitentiaries and become the prey of those who live off of the industry of others. We are really sorry to observe that our friend, Judge H. N. Lester, of Lake City, has taken up the cudgel to go after Hon. Henry Walker. We are not sorry for Mr. Walker, but sorry for the Judge because he is capable of better things. It seems that Judge Lester has heard of some trivial school district gossip and he hastens to publish it in the machine organ. The article is without head, end or side, and contradictory in its parts. If it meant anything, it would mean that Henry Walker was responsible for all that was done and not done, yet he was not a member of the school board. The article charges Walker with opposing the building of a school house, yet the Board is contracting to have one built now. It charges him with voting a six months instead of an eight months term of school, voting bonds and all other things done in the district. This is mere clap-trap. We do not desire to go into any defense of Mr. Walker because he needs no defense. The charges are so inconsistent and contradictory that they fall to pieces of their own weakness. The Judge certainly was not "at himself" when he wrote it. It is a reflection on his intelligence.