Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-04-21

Al the democratic State Judicial
Convention in 1863, Judge Dixon
camo within one vote OF nomination
over COthren tor Chief JusLiee--Ry-
an of milwaukee, veuching for him
being as good a democrat AZ himself,
(Ryan.)
A few days after, tho Republican
members Of the Legislature held q
cGucue and nominated Dixon as
their candidate for Chief Justice.
A good many honestly considered
him q markable candidate, unsafe
and weathercockish. He received
enough democratic votes To secure
his election. his competitor, Judge
Cothern. being considered by the
better class of democrats an unsafe
man, owing to bis then incorporate
habits.
Grant County gave Dixon but 355
majority that tine-not az a result
of republicans voting for Cotbern but
as a result of their not voting at all
Since that year Judge Dixon has
been well tried. He has shown no
symptoms Of Ryanisrn, and has, so
far as known to the outside world,
made an able Chief Justice.
That one selfish act Of his, in re-
signing his Office. and, according to
every rule by which we may Judge
men and their motives, resigning a
So, 500 salary in view Of accepting an
appointment by the Governor to the
same Office at salary of $500, all
in violation of his virtual agreement
with the people, i'm piled by his cleo,
ton, to serve them six years at sal
airy of $500, as clearly as sunshine
proved to many people that Judge
Dixon is q man in the market, having
his price-and a penuriously cheap
price at that-but only 81, 900
There are men and corporations in
the state, able and with the will in
clined to pay $5,000-yea. $4,000,
indeed 500, 900, for an official opinion
of Judge Dixon in common sort OF
suit. Is it possible that, in view OF
his resignation and appointment for
only 81, 900, thus in n moderate way
violating the constitution which pro
vides that no increase Of salary shall
be paid to any such officer during
the term for which be was elected,
any litigant or foxy lawyer can fail
TO suspect that money may open the
way to Judge Dixon's official labora>
tory? We should never doubt it. yet
are we stow TO link together motive
and character.
And cry many also felt Judge D.
to DO poor sticker for the sacred
ness Of contracts, having himself
broken al obligation to serve the
people officially for SO much, and
thereafter planned to secure so much
moro, which is called the smallest
sort of.swindi!ing among contractors
Of any kind,
Sometimes it costs something to be
q man, especially when great induoe-
ments are held out for Que 80 be less
than g man. OF such men we cannot
help forming opinions, great or small
| GE AiACik ga =
great or small. Ia this case the
the consideration was $1,000. Had
it been $4,000 or 800, 900, the peo'
pie who are the jurors in this matter
would have thought vastly more OF
the man. There is dignity in big
things, however awkward their
shape.
Great is the republican party. but
not so great as to hide official small
ness within or behind it. We sink
the whole official business from sigh
and LOSS the salaries 10 the Winds
Still there is enough left of princi'
plies to make republican party that
shall live and rule the country. We
should rather rid the party of these
Dixon stumbling blocks than pul
them in power. 1t is impossible that
their exposure is to enfeeble the par
ty, and certain thatparty power shal
only be perpetuated by constant
exposure Of such. Behold the party
not the man