Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1914 — FINE CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FINE CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER

fn Ex-Mayor O'Connor of Monticello Tenth District Democrats Earnestly Believe They Have a Candidate For the Nomination For Treasurer of State Who Will Lend Solid Strength to His Party During the Coming Campaign. At the Democratic state convention at Indianapolis, March 19. the Tenth district will present the name of Thomas W. O’Connor of Monticello for the nomination for treasurer. His district is making a strong effort to nominate him, being confident that he will lend strength to his party during the coming campaign. Mr. O'Connor has not been identified with any party factions. He is a plain, every-day Democrat who has stood with his party since he cast his

first vote. He served as, a member of the state senate in 1897 and 1899, where he was regarded as a careful and painstaking representative of his constituents. He was elected assessor for White county in 1892, serving four years. When Monticello adopted the city form of government in 1909, Mr. O’Connor was elected its flrat mayor. He served four years and declined to be a candidate for re-election. Citizens of all parties at Monticello join in praising Mr. O'Connor's administration as mayor. He gave to the office of mayor the keen business judgment and experience he had acquired. At the end of four years he had reduced the tax levy 27 cents and had organized the various municipal depart ments on a sound business basis. Made His Way to the Front. Mr. O’Connor belongs to the class known as the "self-made men.” He started in life without financial resources, but at the age of forty-six he is one of the leading business men of his part of the state. He taught school as a young man. He attended the State Normal at Terre Haute and the state university at Bloomington. He had a good, keen business mind from the start and made his way rapidly to the front. Ten years ago he organized the Monticello National bank and made a success of it. He was elected president of it when it was formed, and he is still at the head of it. He is one of the largest farmers in the northern part of the state, having succeeded well in farming because of the careful attention he gave to a study of agriculture. Throughout his life he has applied himself diligently and energetically to whatever task he undertook, and the result is that he not only has been a success as a business man, but also in the public positions he has held.

1 For the People’s Best Interests. His administration as mayor of Monticello alone commends him to the thoughtful consideration of* the people of the state, as he showed there that he believes in administration of public affairs for the best interests of the people. The Herald (Republican) at Monti cello pays Mr. O’Connor the following tribute: “Mr. O’Connor is a man of high character and large business experf ence, and Monticello citizens regard less of party lines will testify to his splendid public spirit and energy. In fact his home city is with him regardless of politics in his effort to secure this convention honor at the hands of his party.” Praise From His Neighbors. At a public meeting at Monticello following the announcement of Mr. O’Connor’s candidacy, the following resolution was adopted: “As a public official, business njan, citizen, neighbor and friend, ex-Mayor O’Connor measures up to the highest standard of efficiency and worth; and we, citizens of Monticello, earnestly commend him to his party at large as eminently worthy of the position he seeks. Being a man of the highest character, public spirited, enterprising and progressive, his selection will be a credit to his party; and we who know him best and have watched his career through all these years, have every confidence that he will ‘make good’ in any position to which he may be called.” Mr. O’Connor has the enthusiastic Indorsement of his district, one of the most progressive districts in the state, and his name will add strength to the entire ticket

THOMAS W. O’CONNOR.