Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-28

fDbu persists III so uO'b0 he - FOuDQIy
abused for bis arrant heresy. Newspa
pers, like individuals. sometimes set them
selves M as infaIlibls guides 10 public
matters, and when public officer dares
to act in accordance with bis own con-
victions of right and duty, contrary to
the plan laid down by these self constitu-
ted censors, llse individual is not only
berstedsaBd abused, but even accused of
venahiy and corruption in the discharge
Of bis official duties.
We have a case in point, in the course
pursued by the Ellsworth Herald as !ex
empiifiel in lis last weeks issue. 1t in
suits ard abuses those members of the
County Board who thought best to vote
TO pay Judge Howes his salary as County
Judge, and insinuates that bribery Was
used to influence them in voting as they
did. These are grave charges to make,
and the Herald is in duty bound to sub
siantiats them. 1t is hardly the province
of any newspaper to intimate that an of
fetal has been bribed without giving some
tangible proof. The Herald can claim
no right to judge the motives of anyone
for his acts in public or private station;
aud IFS shameful attack, last week, upon
men who think differently from the edi-
tors of that sheet, are far outside the
limits of courtesy, propriety, or even
common docency.
If three or four of the Supervisors,
who finally voted in favor of Judge
Howes' account, were a: first favorable to
Mr.. Pierce, we think we can see very
good reason why they should change
their opinion aud their vote. First, let
US glance briefly at the case.
Dir. Pierce claims be was elected Coun
ty Judge, and holds the certificate of
election. Judge Howcs, it is said, claims
Mr.. Pierce was not elected, but that he
(Howes) received majority of the legal
votes cast, and is therefore entitled to the
offics. On the first day of January last,
Judge Howes fled his bond &C., and en-
tered upon the duties of the new term.
Soon afterward, Mr.. Pierce, armed with
his certificate of election. formally de
mandsd of Judge Howes the records, &c,
of the office, and the Judge refused to
comply with the demand. Mr. Pierce
here rested bis case, and here it has rest
ed ever since.
When the first quarters salary was
due, Judge Howes presented his bill for
the same to toe County Board. Aware
that there was contest between Howes
and Pierce as to who was legally entitled
to the office. thu Board very properly
laid it aside till some legal steps had been
taken to settle the difficulty. But no
steps were taken and Judge Howes con-
tinued TO discharge the duties of the Of
flee. Finally at the annual meeting of
the Board in November both Howes and
Pierce presented bills for salary as Coun
~ Judge. The bills were referred to the
auditing committee which reported in IA
vor of allowing Howes account. When
the report come before the Board mo
ton was made to disaIlow Howes' account
which prevailed by four mhjority-yeas
IL; rays Z. A motion was then made
to allow the account of Mr.. Pierce, which
motion was rejected by unanimous vote.
Now VIC are credibly informed that the
reason why some of the supervisors voted
TO reject Howes' bill was because Mr..
Pierce promised if they would do so he
would stipulate the case with Judge
HOwes aud bring it to trial in the No
vember term of the Circuit Court which
would be in session prior TO the adjourn
ed annual meeting Of the Board in De
cember. Hence. they were in favor Of
rejecting both accounts, for the time being
in order to give Mr.. Pierce an opportun.
itY to commence his acIion.
On the l4th of December the adjourn
ed meeting was called. and the bills of
Messrs. Howes and Pierce again came
up. and it was found that Mr.. Pierce had
taken no measures to get legal possession
of the Office. The court had held its
session and adjourned, and no trial could
now be had till next May. Now. we
will submit to to any candid man if he
can in view of the facts here recited, just
iy censUre the Board for allowing Judge
Howes bis salary after all this delay, for
which Mr.. Pierce, himself, is alone re
sponsiblsf
i. Mr.. Pierce has had whole year to
bring an action and test the question in
the courts, and it cannot be urged that
the multiplicity of cares. or the demands
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