Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1917 — GENERAL AND STATE NEWS [ARTICLE]

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

TelegraphicJleports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings iqfethe Nearby Cities and Towns —Matters of Minor Mention from Many Places. MAY GET A FEDERAL POSITION Thomas E. Knotts Withdraws From Gary Mayoralty Contest, Gary, January 28.—The belief is expressed by local politicians that Thomas E. Knotts, former mayor, who’ suddenly withdrew from the race for the Democratic mayoralty nomination in favor of Harvey J. Curtis, the only other candidate, Is soon to get a federal appointment, either the position of United States marshal for the district of Indiana or the- consulship at Onfuegos, Cuba, near a plantation that Knotts bought several years ago. Knotts says he quit the race when he seemed to in the lead, for the good of the party and, because the campaign would be too long. The only other reason he asserts is that his family objected to his taking part in the turmoil that constantly marks Gary politics. It is also pointed out as significant that Mr. Curtis, who formerly was city attorney and connected with the state Democratic machine, has been paying several out-of-town visits lately. He visited Indianapolis and then, it is said, he went to Washington in the interests of Mr, Knotts* candidacy. Gary Democrats have been expecting some federal recognition since the November election. The Republican majority was calculated at 4,000, but Hughes carried Gary by only ninety votes. Knotts and his friends took (bn active part In the election and the Gary Democrats have been demanding recognition from the White House, inasmuch as Hammond, normally Denjecratic, went heavily for Hughes. Hammond’s patronage is the solicitorship of the United States treasury, held by Lawrence Becker, former mayor.