Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1901 — NOT A CANDIDATE. [ARTICLE]

NOT A CANDIDATE.

Judge Thompson Makes Public His Intention In the Judqeshlp Matter. Judge S* P. Thompson has set all doubts nside as to the judgeship matter by stating that he will not be a candidate for re-election. He has a year yet to serve. So far two persons have declared their intentions ot being candidates, Wm. Cummings, of Newton county, and Ohas. W Hanley, of Rensselaer. Jesse E. Wilson of Rensselaer, has also been mentioned as a probable candidate, but has not declared himself as such. Judge Thompson’s letter follows: Hon. John B. Lyons, Chairman Republican Committee of Newton county, and Charles W. Hanley, Chairman Republican Committee of Jasper county : Individually, my personal and political friends are asking me to state whether I desire ajiomination and election to the office of Judge next November, and I take this occasion to say to you as representatives of the parly once for all, that Ido not. I thank my friends for their confidence reposed in times past, and hope to merit their esteen in the future. A service of six years as Judge of the Thirtieth Circuit is- an honor that I shall always appreciate. In politics I have been and am a republican. In the discharge of official duties, I have forgotten partisanship, kinship and personal friendship. While trying to administer the law as I find it, it has occured to me that the statute should be amended in some particulars. I would suggest briefly that it would be better: 1. If the state should he divided into districts, each containing tlnee Circuit Judges with authority to hold Court interchangeable in case the Judge of any Circuit should lie incompetent because of interest or change of venue. A regular Judge could try each case and receive as compensation such annual salary as might be deemed adequate. 2. Ihe statute should prescribe a uniform method of keeping accounts throughout the state, where causes go to another county on change of venue. 3. In proceedings to make local improvements the Circuit Court should not be required to try the cause de novo unless the law provide for an exforenaic investigation. ' I thank the good peojde of this Circuit for their kindness and assistance, and subscribe myself. Your humble servant, S. P. Thompson, Dec. 2th, 1901. Rensselaer, Ind.