- Date: 12 November 1952
- Written at: Merced, California
- Stationery: Typed letter
- From: Robert J. (“Bob”) Hall, who handled Joe’s campaign
- To: Mr. Joseph Sharmer, Planada, California
- Condition: Complete — 1 page; the balance sheet it mentions has not been found
The original is shown beside its transcription. Click it to enlarge.
LETTER
November 12th, 1952
Mr. Joseph Sharmer
Planada, California
Dear Joe:
You put up a good fight; you worked hard, and you kept it clean. Having lost under those circumstances is a situation over which we have no control. Possibly we could have won by using dirty tactics, rumors, lies and character assassination, as our opponent did, but certainly no job in the world is worth a sacrifice of character. After all a man has to live with himself; your conscience is clear, and that should be a source of satisfaction to you.
I firmly believe that you made countless friends, true friends, by the manner in which you conducted your campaign, and you will be much richer in the long run for it.
Another thing which impressed me, and I am sure is exceedingly gratifying to you, is the calibre of the men who backed you in your campaign. Men of intelligence and integrity and of importance in the community; men who recognize true value when they see it and are able to separate the do-ers from the promis-ers. To me, the proof of your capabilities in office is reflected by the friends you have made and their eagerness to lend you a helping hand.
Enclosed is a balanace [sic] sheet of the campaign expenses. As you see, we are still $138.00 short, which I have advanced out of pocket. The fee for my services were computed at a percentage of the media costs. The only bill not paid is the last Sun-Star ad, amounting to $42.00
Hope to hear from you soon.
Cordially,
Bob
ROBERT J. HALL
P. O. Box 731
Merced, California
Notes & context
The 1952 election. Joe had been elected Merced County Supervisor for District Two in 1948 (House Resolution No. 22). In November 1952 he ran again and lost. About a week after the election Bob Hall, who had handled his campaign, wrote to him at Planada: he had “put up a good fight,” kept it clean, and lost to an opponent who used “rumors, lies and character assassination.” The opponent isn’t named.
“Retired.” When Joe died fifteen months later, the Santa Cruz Sentinel said he had served on the board “for a number of years before he retired and moved to Santa Cruz a year and a half ago” (Services Held for Joseph Sharmer). This letter tells the fuller story: he was voted out in November 1952, and the family moved to Santa Cruz soon after.
The proof of his work. Hall writes that “the proof of your capabilities in office is reflected by the friends you have made.” The other proof was the new county hospital in Merced, which Joe had championed; a newspaper of the time gave “Supervisor Sharmer” “the lion’s share of credit” for it (Madam ½ and Madam Whole), and his name is on the hospital’s plaque.
The accounts. The campaign finished $138 short, which Hall had paid himself, with one bill outstanding: $42 for a last advertisement in the Merced Sun-Star. Hall’s own fee was a percentage of the advertising costs.
