Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-03-26
THE MASS CONVENTION !
"Great Cry and Little Wool"
p. ID. Pierce Nominated for
County Judge.


act at the county seat, and getting free
ride, through the kindness of Dir. d. IL.
BATES, we concluded to 60 over, and at.
tend the Convention as "looker on, !"
and see for ourself what "the masses"
would do when in convention assem-
bIed.
About one o'clock 'sthe masses" began
to coDgregate at the town hall. The
"gathering of the claps" was not very
extensive some towns not being repre-
sented at all. We saw no one from
Maiden Rock, Salem, Rock Elm,
Union, aud we believe other towns
Deerfeld, Spring Creek, etc.,-had
no voice in the convention. River Falls
was accidentally represented by A. Morse,
| but he didn't seem to take very lively
interest in the proceedings. There was
a few from the other towns, but the bulk
of the convention-the working force
was from Prescott and Ellsworth.
When all were duly assembled in the
town hall, the meeting was called to or
der by Mr.. Ames, P. V. Wise elected
chairman, and Mr.. Smith, of Clifton,
secretary.
Mr.. Ives looked somewhat distressed
at this move, and it was evident he ex-
pected the honor of presiding, and there
by display his parliamentary skill to his
admiring constituents. But Wise hav
ing been at Madison, looking after the
interests of the "dear people" of Pierce
county about as long rs Ives, lat his
own ?expense,) he was thought to have a
better claim. and rs reward of merit
for signal services rendered, was "sent to
the head" The announcement of his
election startled Mr.. Wise, who, Of course,
didn't dream of receiving ouch honor
Taking the chair, with his usual unas-
suming modesty he proceeded straight
way 10 relieve himself OF very elabo
rate and well-digested speech. We have
only space to give a few of the leading
points.
He stated, in the first place, they had
met in mass convention to nominate a
candidate in opposition to Judge Howes.
A Mass Convention-but no Howes'
men "need apply."] They wanted an
honest man an honest lawyer would be
better, but such being very scarce, they
must take an honest man. They must
nominate some one who would comply
with the statute. Judge Howes didn't
know anything about law when he took
the Office, and twelve years experience
had made no improvement. There was
probably not a settlement of an estate
that would bear investigation except
those cases where some lawyer had look
ed over the papers. He (Wise) and Mr..
White were always obliged to stand over
the Judge when he did anything for
them, to be sure it was done according to
law. There was too much at stake to
transact business in that manner. He
spoke in most pathetic terms, of the dis
trcssed widows and desolato orphans,
who might be wronged by such NAL
practice. The candidate chosen must
satisfy the convention that he would, il
elected, hold his office at the county seat,
and no man could have his vote, for one,
if he did not SO pledge himself APP
plause. The object of the present
meeting was TO beat the present incum-
bent. He did not understand law, and
it was hard TO practice before him.
This was about the sum and substance
of his haraugue. AT its conclusion Mr..
Ives moved that an informal ballot be
taken to find out the number and rela-
tive strength of the candidates.
Mr.. Ames suggested that the names
of some of the candidates be presented.
Whereupon Mr.. Mason led off with a
very complimentary speech for some
candidate, and when he was gradually
piling metaphor upon metaphor in the
finest style, some practical chap, becom-
ing impatient, sung out, "Who's yer
man ?" This unlocked for interruption
brought the speech to a focus with per
ry ID. Pierce, of Prescott" and the
speaker dropped into seat. Chas. S.
Dunbar and j. w. VIM, of Ellsworth,
were also presented. The balotting now
commenced, and resulted as follows
Informal ballot-Pierce "a; Dunbar
81; VIM II; Wilson 6; Dopkins 8;
L. L. Lewis |; John Dale Ia.
First formal baIlot-Pierce 80; Dun
bar 20; VIM II; Wilson 8; Dopkins
/; Lewis 3; Dale lis.
Second formal ballot Pierce 81;
Dunbar 81; Winn Is; Wilson 2; Lew
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