The Bidding War for Public Office

The contest for the republican nomination for county clerk is the only real, Simon-pure scrap on the whole county ticket. M. C. Delle, the present clerk, is a candidate for re-election. He is opposed by W. S. Jenkins, who is in the abstract business in Prosser. The only real issue raised is the cost of operation of the office. Jenkins charges that for the years 1909 to 1915, inclusive, the average annual operating cost of the clerk’s office has been $2650, and that if he is elected he will guarantee that the cost will not exceed $1450 per year, or a saving of $100 per month. Delle says that this statement is grossly unfair, as he was not clerk except for the years 1915 and 1916. He says that the gross operating cost of the office for 1915 was $2490 and that the fees of the office amounted to $2269, so that the cost to the taxpayers was only $220. The office is a peculiar one in that the public seldom comes in contact with it. The more correct title would be 'clerk of court.' All the business is done with the court and lawyers, and it is a significant fact that the present judge and practically all the lawyers are favorable to Delle. Those in a position to know say that if Jenkins is elected he will do just what he says. On the other hand, the advisability of putting the county offices up for auction is considered by many to be a bad precedent and liable to bring disastrous results, and another bunch of people composed of those whose sympathies are with organized labor resent this because it savors of price cutting.