This young man had trained himself for the law and had practiced a few years. He decided before going into politics to try-out serving in this office for a time. After rendering his service for a number of years he was announced by his friends for this office and won. He made up his mind that when elected he would handle this office in a way that it would reflect credit in after years. He had noticed many people, when directing these offices, had failed, largely on account of their lack of will power to stand by what they absolutely knew was right. If an assessment was made on property and a delegation appeared before him, he would take all the blame, if there was any, and would go into the matter and have it settled once-for-all. After a short time people began to find out that the assessor had a mind of his own; that he knew what was right, and when any matter was taken before him they understood clearly if their contention was right he would do all he could to assist them.
He followed this policy throughout his term of office. Another thing he did after election was to call together all his assistants and made it clear to them that they were to serve the public in the best possible manner, and to be courteous at all times; and that the public was a final judge as to their ability to serve them and that he was only an instrument through which the public could give its approval or disapproval.
After a service along the lines which has just been suggested, he was re-elected to several other offices in the county, which is a remarkable record.
As to building up any political machine, he did not do this, but of course his friends and those who supported him were given preference in his appointments, and they were loyal to him.
PLAN No. 781. THIS MAN BECAME COUNTY CLERK
He was a very likable man and had served in public office for a number of years at the court house, and he in this way became generally acquainted throughout the county. He decided to run for the office of county clerk, and was successful.
As soon as he was elected he called together his assistants and made it clear to them that in this office application was one of the important parts of the service; that he wanted them to serve full time; that they were serving the public, and that nobody should be impertinent or short in their answers and should be most courteous in every way. In fact, he made it clear to them that if they were unable to render service in this way that they had better leave and, that they would be removed at any time when the time came they could not treat the public right, because, he stated, the public was their final judge.
The clerk himself was not a man given to very much talk, but he made it a point, when the attorneys called to speak to them kindly and give the greatest consideration regarding any matter they desired information. This was granted to all attorneys, irrespective of age or qualifications. The attorney handling the smallest business would receive the same consideration that the most wealthy among them—they were all equal in his office.
He also knew that if he was to be re-elected, or desired to win further political preference, that he must start his campaign when he first opened up the office, and this was his campaign: rendering the best kind of service that lay within his power.