For some time past there has been a little speculation in political circles in the Indian Territory as to whether United States Marshal Jasper P. Grady would be a candidate for re-appointment in the Central District.

It has been known that there are a number of gentlemen in the District who felt themselves peculiarly adapted to this work, and, as a matter of course, would be glad to receive the emoluments of the office. Mr. Grady had not signified his intentions—the time had not arrived. The knowledge that it will be the policy of President McKinley to retain the present office-holders throughout the country, and that no changes will be made except for cause, makes it reasonably certain that Mr. Grady will succeed himself as U. S. Marshal, and it is not likely that any opposition will manifest itself that will place him on the anxious seat. He will be a candidate for re-appointment and desires his friends to so understand.

It may be said in behalf of Mr. Grady that he has made a faithful and efficient officer. He has given the office his undivided personal attention and has lived up to the law in every particular. It has been a matter of comment, and has come to be a recognized fact, that the Central District, which comes under Mr. Grady’s jurisdiction, has been less crime and less riotous conduct therein of any district in the territory. There are no organized gangs of robbers that formerly terrorized the territory—they have been wholly weeded out. This is particularly noticeable in the extinction of the notorious Carpenter and Lee gangs, the members of which are now serving sentences in the penitentiary through the efforts of Marshal Grady and his vigilant deputies. Not only that, but during his administration of less than four years, more than 1000 criminals have landed in the penitentiary from his district, not counting the large number who have served jail sentences in the Ft. Smith and South McAlester jails for minor offenses. Especially has Mr. Grady and his deputies been active in the suppression of the liquor traffic—there is not boot-legging nor joints, and even the drug stores are not permitted to handle the stuff. If for no other reason than this Mr. Grady is entitled to respect and consideration at the hands of the people who weigh his official acts. During Christmas week, when there was a carnival of crime in the territory, there was but one killing in the Central District, and that was by Indian policemen at Old Town, who shot down a drunken bully who sought to intimidate and brow-beat him.

In this and many other ways, can it be said that the present incumbent has been a leader in the suppression of crime—the embodiment of what a faithful officer should constitute—and The News feels that it but reflecting the sentiment of the people, irrespective of party affiliation, when it says there is no desire for change in the U. S. Marshal’s office for the Central District.

No charge of dereliction of duty or malfeasance in office can be successfully maintained against him,--in submitting his names as a candidate for re-appointment. He has been faithful to his trust, and President McKinley and his political advisor will undoubtedly so decree.

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