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

On tie ZlsL Gay OF eDfuafy, lS6U,
upon being accused by his Democratic
friends of having deserted them, and
entertaining some of the Ito them) obi
Gus notions Of the Republican party,
Judge Gate said that che was Dem
ocrat, and that he stood by the princi-
pies Of the party, and that if the DEM
0crGtic party ecG1eted to make q qao,7ai-
nation for Circuit fudge, lie qcould
a2jdho5r0ec from tie 1iezd.o
Ii this is not true, then men who
have for years maintained a very high
reputation for truth, and who are per-
sonal and party friends Of the Judge,
have, without any earthly motive, per-
petrated q willful aud deliberate lie,
and still stick to it.
In this communication OF February
28th, \. d. 1860, in answer to resolu-
tions Of the Waushara County Repab-
iican Convention, while showing the
different views held by three classes Of
Democrats, on the subject of slavery,
after having disposed Of two Of these
classes, the Judge says: can other
class, (and there arc q good many in
II, maintain that Congress has power
to legislate upon the subject Of slave
~ in the Territories. and to this latter
class 7 belong' Thus the Judge, who
so slyIy left his party four years ago,
has got 10 be q Democrat again-U
Den2ocrat sojth Republican principles
He, perhaps, can explain why it is
that his public principles differ so cs-
sentialiy from his private comnunica-
tons, in some way consistent with an
open, manly, straightforward course,
but I think not the truth seems to nc
that while publicly ignoring politics en-
tirely, the Judge privately appeals to
both parties, pledges himself to both,
and finally attempts the immense feat
Of straddling both at once.
IIy relations with Mr.. Webb, and
the motives which actuate him in his
course, will be understood by reference
to few facts. Ny apology for giving
the following letter from Mr.. Webb to
the public, Is, that he has requested me,
aud even dared me to do 50. What
possible motive could have induced
him to desire it's publication must be q
matter Of speculation with every hon
est man.. I can account for it upon no
other theory than that he is ambitious
to perfect the public record Of his own
iufamy and disgrace, and it seems to
me that he must be very ambitious Of
villainous notoriety, otherwise he would
be satisfied with his record appearing
on the Assembly journals of 1858. But
here is the letter:
"|F automa, Jan. 10, 1860.
lion. Le4t5e1' H07ache5t
Some time ago, (say five or six
Weezs), petition was sent 10 the Gov
ernor to make . certain appointment to
fill a vacancy in an Office in this county.
By calling on his ExeelIency, you can
find out all about it. When you were
here the other day, you asked of me q
favor, and I did not give you much sat-
isfaction; [ also told Mae. some things
which he 10 doubt told you after you
left. Well, what now? Why, if you
make that appointment all right, YOU
and yours may draw on your friends
here, and shall not draw in vain I
write 10 confidential and private let
ters, but would have you remember
that Sam. and Jake are both opposed
TO ine, and the less said to them on my
account, the better.
Let me hear from you soon.
Respectfully, &c,
". c. WEBB"
On or about the 7th Of January,
1860, Walter p. bIcTndoe and myself
called upon lIr Webb at NVautoma,
and requested him to sign q call for the
judicial convention at PIainfeld, which
he declined TO do, without giving
any particular reasons. The chances
Of Mr. Alban's nomination and election
were freely talked over and fully can
ya<scd; and At the time informed Mr.
Webb, in answer to a question fro1n
him, that [ would not be q candidate
as lie says he did not 'giTc rs much
satisfaction. Indeed, his conduct
was in2xpI;caole toward ne until re-
ceived his letter, which furnishes key
70 his designs Such IS the favor to
which bIr Webb refers; he could
have meant no other, because at the
date Of his letter I had not seen him
for four months, except that time, nor
had written to him, nor in any man
ner communicated with him, nor did I
then ask Of him any other ''favor'' than
to sign said call and support Nr. Al
ban. Immediately called on the Gov
ernor to know what this important pa-
titi0n ecas about, and found it a secret
production, Judging from the letters
accompanying it), asking for the ap
pointment Of Mr. Webb to the Office Of
District Attorney Of Waushara county,