Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-02-01
County JUDGE.


ton as to the election of County Judge
in the spring, and some diversity of opin.
ion, among Republicans as well as Demo
Gratis, as to the proper course to be pursued
in the matter. Without wishing to die
tate in any way, and speaking only for our
selves, we would much prefer to see the
choice made now, as it has been heretofore
without any drawing of party lines. If, as
is not improbable, both parties can unite
IN call upon some gentleman to allow
his name to be used, we think the public
will DO better satisfied than in any other
way. An article from this weeks Demo-
Graf, which VIC, copy below takes a sensi-
bic view Of the case, and accords SO fully
with our own sentiments that we cheerful
ly adopt it as our own, and commend it to
public attention
eat the Charter Election next Spring,
the citizens of jefferson county will elect
County Judge in the place Of Samuel
Baird, Esq, whose term Of Office will ex-
pre- at the end Of the present year. We
do not see any particular advantage in 60
ing INTO a party contest over this office,
though if it is thought best to call coven-
tons and have regular nominees, the Dem
ocrat5 can brlfg men into tie field every way
qualified Tor the trust When judicial officers
are to be chosen, we have always been in ia
yer OF payir more attention to the fitness
OF candidates than to their opinions on
purely political questions. All classes are
directly interested in having faithful, ca
pable, dlslnteresteG and intelligent Probate
Judge, such as we have had during the
past four years. He should not only know
what the law is, but he should have a
sound Judgment as to ordinary business
matters, When the struggle is reduced
down to mere partizan contest, it is verv
easy for shrewd and sharp politician to
elk the Convention all right" secure a
nomination, and get elected by means of
party discipline, and yet not be such man
as ought to hold the office, or have the
least chance to secure it, if the people
were left to make their own selection,
IN their own way, without being forced
to Ego the ticket" whether they like it
or not, for the sake Of the party
We bring this subject thus eally before
the public, In order that it may receive
the consideration it really deserves. We
do not now feel called upon to mark out
any particular course, express any prefer
ence, or give any advice We do not wish
to see any citizen filing this important Of
ice merely because he belongs to this party
or that, or resides in one place instead of
another. We have heard rumors of an in
tention to create local issue, and insist
that the County Judge shall make his res
idenee at Jefferson. That he should hold
Court in that village regularly, as Judge
Baird has invariably done, is perfectly
right, but We believe the convenience of
the majority will be just as well consulted
If he should happen to reside in that part
of the country where much the largest half
Of the population is conferred. We coun-
sci the people to look closer to the claims,
character, capacity, integrity and fidelity
of the man they select, than to bis resi-
dence and ideas about the right of seces-
sion. Elect the best II an that can be
found who will take the office. whether he
is Democrat or Republican, and never
mind whether he is for Crittender's Com
promise Or against it, for whipping South
Carolina back into the Union or lettipp
her SILVER cut Of it..