Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-04-07

III my opinion mas the editor OF that
sheet ever received the information he
clol'?s8 to haze received, directly or i'll
directly, from any person. It is fab
rlcation OF his coinage, without the
least mitigating circumstance.
These bills we're not referred to Mr..
Hanchett, as Mr.. Webb innocently in
forms his readers, but as a matter Of
course took their proper reference, and
that was to the Judiciary committee, Of
which, it is true, [ have the honor to
be chairman, and the innuendo that
therefore I could change or alter the
bills to suit myself, is only piece with
the balance Of Mr.. Webb's etfort.-
Both came up in their order before the
committee, mot me) and at my sugces-
ton were both reported back to the
Senate GCith0Ut U1ty recommendation,
and this is all the connection I have
had with the subject. I wish to have
no personal controversy with IIr.
Webb; he has heretofore, for reasons
best known to himself, deliberately
made his true character d matter Of
public record, which is open, and sub
ject to inspection by the people Of
the Circuit; let them examine for them
selves. Nor do l desire any difficulty
with Judge Gate, who cannot, I think
be held entirely blameless, while his
agents are guilty Of such unmitioatcd
and wholesale untruths. have Known
him fer many years--intimately known
hiCn,-having at one time been associ-
ated with him i'll business, and should
be doing him as well as myself, inius-
ticc, if failed to say that in my iudg-
mcnt his course in the canvass has been
equiyocal i'll the extreme, and even Of
doubtful honesty.
In 1852, he sent q communication to
the "A5YHs &c Denaocrot," wherein he
urged very strongly the propriety Of
making party nominations for Judicial
officers. In 1864 he actually sought
and obtained the Democratic nomina-
tion for Judge, and claimed the votes
OF Democrats because he had thatnom-
ination, which he now through his agent
Mr.. Webb, Denies But it will be re-
memberc1 that I was then his onno-
ncnt, and travelled over the circuit for
the purpose OF knowing what means
were being used to promote his election,
often meeting him. And I know that
at Sackville, Mukwa, Pine River, and
other Democratic Identities, he claimed
and received the votes Of the Deonle
on the ground that he was q Demo
crat, and had the regular nomination.
7 also know that in localities where The
Democrats were in the minority, he
showed only the independent flag
His course in the present canvass is an
exact counterpart Of his course in 1854.
AT that time the democracy were large
Iy IN the majority in the Circuit, and
probably continued so until the Esepub-
lican party was organized, tie summer
following; now the democracy are as
Iargelyin the minority.
In his letter to John A. Kellogg, Of
Mauston, bearing date September Sd,
1859. he uses the following language,
viz:
"NVhilo utterly opposed to making
party nominations for judicial officers,
believing the Judge should 60 on the
Bench untrammeled by partizan feel
inss,a &c. : : :
"I am willing you should know nay
views; I have been D Democrat until
nearly the close of the Pierce Admins
tration; but becoming disgustcd with
the Kansas policy OF that Administra-
ton, and satisfied that the party had
fallen under the leapership Of men who
favored the extension Of slavery, [ lett
the party, and never since acted with
it.
Is it not surprising that this great
change in his political sentiments first
leaked out among Republicans long
distance from his home? that his near
est neighboTs were never appTized Of
it; that the great secret sInmbercd in
his own bosom so long, and only came
to light from private source, after he
began to devise some means to secure
his reelection? But perhaps the
Judges humanity desired 70 save his
democratic neighbors, and old party
friends who had elevated him to his
present position, from the shock Of 4
sudden announcement Of his secret, BY
its first appearing in a distant and Re
publican locality. 4 is quite roInar5a
bic, too, that with this change in polit-
ical views and party attachments, ap-
pears q perfect TeUoIutjon in his opj3e-
ION eti7o5o the l7rolDriety q making par
ty nominations for judicial q1fcora. -
The Judge, however, explains this rev
olution, in recent letter to the Hon
Fl. W. Curtis, in which he says:
Il assumed the position of Inedpen-
tdent under the advice Of my friends,
"vhat It was the only course I could