Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-03-18
From the W isconsin State Register.
The Election of Chief Justice.

Judge Dixon, the present incumbent
and Nj. NJ. Cothren, the Democratic
nominee, are the only candidates before
the people, for election to the office OF
Chief Justice of Wisconsin. The former
is presented by means of a call signed
by men of beth political parties, and is
recommended by the Republican mem
bers of the Legislature. The latter IS
presented as the representative of con-
yeution of SO ultra democratic charac-
ter, that E. G. Ryan appeared conser-
vatsUe or moderate man. IN comparison
with the other members composing it
The sole claim of the latter, to support,
is found in the fact that he IS the candi-
date Of partisan convention. The Tor
mer, IL elected, will owe his election to
DO such circumstances, but to the fact
that majority of those voting consider
him the better qualified for the impor-
tant position to which both aspire.
Judge Dixon has received the noml-
nation by no body authorized to speak,
or assuming to speak, for the Rernbll-
cans of Wisconsin; and in placing his
name at the head Of our paper, and re
commencing him to the support of our
readers, we do not urge his election Oh
party grounds, or on any other ground
than this, that in legal attaiumcuts, ex-
perience, industry aud personal character
in every qualification requisite for the
first judicial office of the Slae-he is
greatly superior to the man who, for the
sole reason of his extreme partnership,
has been nominated against him.
If we held Judge Dixon responsible
for all that has been said Of him, by
persons assuming to speak in his behalf,
we should have no preference in this can
vass. The declaration, in the Democrat
ic convention, by Mr.. Ryan. that the
Judge was Just rs good a Democrat AS
he, is, certainly, no recommendation to
us, nor would we support candidate
whom we believed to be, in fact. Dem
ocrat of the class to which E. G. Ryan
belongs. But we do not think so poorly
of Judge Dixon as to believe this, or any
thing like it, of him. What Mr.. Ryan
esteemed q compliment, is, in truth, n
reproach, which, without far better evil
donce than his say-se, we will never APP
ply to man Of antIcedents so loyal as
those of the present Chief Justice -
Whether he denominates himself Re-
publican, or not, we do not know; nor
do we support him because of any par
ticular decision which he has given, or
any opinion, legal or political, which he
now entertaius. We urge our readers to
give him their votes for the sole reason
Of bis superior fitness for the Office of
Chief Justice. If there is man in Gel
umbia county who believes that Goth
rem is the equal of Dixon, in qualifica
tons for this office, any man who thinks
that his own rights, and The rights Of So
ciety, and the credit of the State, Won Id
be in no better keeping with Dixon than
with Cotlrcn. to that man we have moth
ing to say. But to that large majority,
composed, irrespectively, Of the men of
both political parties, who in their hearts
acknowledge the utter unfitness of Goth
rem. and the fitness of Dixon, We appeal,
and ask them to consult their honest
preferences, by voting to continue the
present incumbent in The Chef Justice
ship, and to keep the Sepreme Bench
free from the worst of partlrau influences
aud trammels.